Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1868-07-04
II GRAND LEVEE.

u uCt"y Va SAS Va WV"
missioners in building Grand Levee is
causing much indignant comment through
out that portion of the State most inter
ested in the matter. Time enough has
already elapsed to lave contracted for
works of fifty times the magnitude, and
yet the Board seems to tri1e with one Of
the most important undertakings in the
State. This unnecessary delay is criminal
in the highest degree. The river is rap
idly going down and in a few days, if not
already, the water will have ceased to
flow through the break. So soon al the
ground permits, work should be commenced
and continued until the levee is complet-
ed, so as to give it all the time possible
TO settle aud become compact before the
next high water comes against it. There
is no excuse for this delay. The Board
has ample means at command to com
plete the work even if it should be neces-
sary to have it done by half a dozen diff
ferent contractors. There has been al.
ready too much triaing with this great
public interest. If the Board does not
feel disposed to act in the premises. upon
the score of economy, or some other such
ridiculous cause, why do they not resign ?
In the name of reason and common sense
is this huge gap to remain open another
year? Are the energies of thousands Of
our citizens to be again crippled and
hampered BY this objectionable neglect !
We begin to fear that in the general
that seems to pervade all
and positions Of the people that
the Board of Levee Commissioners have
not escaped the pestiferous contagion,
and will not act without a generous slice
OF the pickings. What is it to them
whether the levee cost one million or FIVE
millions of dollars 80 long as it can be
done for pay? The people want it built
without caring for cost, and being taxed
for it, ask only for a right, and no more.
End this triding or bring your existance,
as q Board, to an end. With this bag.
Cling about price another year may pass
away and no levee built to protect so
a portion of our State.
There are important levees in this par
isb which should be built as soon as pos
sible, they not alone protecting our lands,
but thousands Of acres lying between
this and the usual outlet of crevasse
on this side the river. These
levees were awarded to the ~lessecs of the
ct public sale, subject to
the approval of the Board of Levee Com
m%'ssioners. Several weeks have elapsed
since the adjudication, but the Board has
1eigned no reply as yet. In the mean
lime the weather is propitious for work
and the contractors ready. To be frank
md candid about the whole matter, the
Levee Board is fast losing the
aspect and confidence of tie people Of
he overlooked districts, and we might
all the other districts. The main
against the old Boards we're
hose Of delay, vacilation and unreliable
contracts, but there was some excuse for
hem in consequence Of the great difficult
les they had to surmount in raising funds,
,ut the present Board works itself into
will by doubts and fears Of the inability
# certain contractors to do the work at
'tated pricesi Now, tbs seems to us
child's play. Among the bids offer
there, must have been one Dr. more re-
'ponsible parties, and why was not the
Grand Levee contract awarded and prop
'rly secured to ensure completion? Al
'ery ~large.sized cat will be let out Of the
yet in regard to the manner Of dispo.
ing Of this work. Some people can see
10 far into . milestone as others.i aY
BURKE's WEEKLY.-The June number
# this favorite juvenile publication is
eceived. It completes the first volume,