New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-07-05
THE NEW CANAL,

On the FIFTH of March, 1866, the canal
which connects the upper business section
Of New Orleans with Lake Pontchartrain
became the property of the State of Lou
isiana by virtue of the expiration of a
charter which had been granted to cor
poration known as the Canal and Bank
ing Company" Under authority of an
act Of the Legislature, passed about the
same time, all the valuable franchises which
had formerly been granted to this COM
pany-with single unimportant exception
in favor of the Firemen's Charitable Asso-
citation of this city-Were continued in ex-
istence under lease granted to another
corporation formed for this especial pur-
pose. Previous to the passage Of
this act, the State Engineer had submit
ted a report to the Governor, showing the
bad condition of the canal and its belong
ings; and it was consequently provided
that the HCanal and Banking Company"
should not be released from its charter OBJ
legations to leave this property in good
working condition. The necessary repairs
were calculated to cost, we believe, sixty
eight thousand dollars, and this amount
was allowed to the new lessees, to be dc
Quoted in three sums from the annual pay
ments of rent. The obvious purpose was
to secure the greatest convenience to the
trade employing this outlet, by having the
canal, the bridges, the shell roads, etc., at
once put in proper order. The plans and
specifications for these repairs, made by
the State Engineer, were to be strictly
complied with, and made part of the lease.
1t is now charged that while the lessees
have availed themselves of the rights and
privileges granted in their contract with the
State, the other important conditions ne
cessitating an outlay of part of the prof
its have been very much neglected.
The statements are made, s=stt, that the
roads have not been kept in repair, par
ticularly that portion between the head of
the basin and GarrolltOn avenue; and that
the city was compelled lin SO outrageous a
condition was portion Of this much-trav-
eled thoroughfare) to undertake the work,
and expend very large sum in macsd-
amizing 1t. Second, the bridges have
not been properly kept, but
give great aud frequent annoyance to
travel by vehicles on The roads, and cause
delay and consequent loss to water craft in
transit to and from the city. Third, it is
charged that the company is digging away
and selling the levee, which was first con
structed in ls49 for the protection of New
Orleans against the back water foods from
Che lake, and rebuilt in a superior manner
By order Of General Butler in 1868. In
place of the earth sold and carted away,
the malarious deposits FaKed up from the
bottom Of the canal are irregularIy heaped
up, bat net IN manner that affords the
requisite defense to the rear portions Of the
city. To show that We do moi overstate
The facts we will add that about three
months ago, according to'a statement be-
lore as, some two hundred able-bodied
suburban residents were compelled to labor
qnite assiduOusly in repairing this levee
during the prevalence Of a severe storm, in
order to escape the disastrous results Of an
overflow Of their homes.
There are minor complaints which might
be given, but the above ara sufficient for
our Justification In calling the attention
of the Legislature to the subject.
Il b an injustice upoa the taxpaying
eoananity that Ehess Iessees should be ai-
lowed d reap he nahiacept bensas d
thaif Contracts, and escape IA burdens.
Let q ooHmistss % appointed, thessf0rs,
to.inyesilgats carefully and impartially che
workings OF the Arrangement under Whlch
this canal is row carried %. and report ct
TIE earliest possibie day. II he leatesa are
llArepressntsd i b but right they should
1ljassiaed before he pnblic If they have
neglected their obligations, ard il any as.
gles hamperoa or Obstructsd tho eommercs
Of New oIleana, lsl neasofss be devised
ehlch win ailerd every Desirable relief
Ths jackson Paoi q Friday ciaims that
Is4H nrss1taas.I.a