The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-02-19

only difference for us will be that instead OF receiv'
ing the waters direct from the lake, We will have
TEEN through the unprotected south bank OF the
canal and certainly that will not improve our con-
dition.
This clause must have been inserted solely for
the purpose Of deceiving an unguarded puohc'
who had suffered 30 much from the late over.
fow (which could have been prevented at cost
of $500 and make them believe that the pro.
posed relief is equal to the remuneration granted
In fact. there was no reason for introducing
this clause. for similar but more adequate pro-
lection against the lake water is already pro.
vided for in the original charter, the company
being obliged TO make the banks of their canal
secure and adequate, to avoid any danger from
overflow or breaksge. and, must say, that II Is
not an oDerous obligation imposed upon them, Tor
it lie the result OF the work itself, the earth CON-
ing from the excavation will furnish material
enough to make levee on each bank, at least 10
feet high, 20 feet wide az top and 100 feet at the
base, empty sufficient to repel the lake water.
Such will not be the case, however, should q
creyssse occur at or below the lock intended by
the company 10 be built at Carroilton. The cities
of New Orleans, Jefferson and Carollton being
belted by the inner or south leyee OF the com,
pany's canal, their whole area would be covered
with sheet of water from five to ten feet deep,
and should this canal ever be built, this impend-
ing calamity will, like Damocles's sword, be con-
stantiy hanging over our heads.
This fact il so well known that. during all the
Unn6 our Stdte was uuutr tnt COutEOi VI ts OWn
citizens, the building of locks or sluices was
always prohibited in the bends Of the river.
where the banks are always subject to caving or
abrasion.
Another of the many Objectionable features Of
the whole project ia the location of the canal on
the north side of Broad street, in the vicinity OF
Bayou Savage and Gently Road, to say nothing
of the damage which this location will occasion
to the Eve railroads chartered by the State and
the city of New Orleans or of its interference
with the navigation of the New Canal and of the
Canal Carondelet, you will find that the fifteen
drawbridges 80 generously granted to the public,
for distance of thirty miles, are far from being
sufficient to afford q speedy communication be-
tween the two severed psrts of our cities.
As q whole. the project is an sbsurdty. and,
as / have already said, not worthy OF discussion,
and ought not to be noticed, were it not for the
determined intention to squeeze money from an
overburdened community, exhibited In the sup
Elementary act, which, II ever passed by the
Legislature, will permit the gentlemen projectors
of the scheme 10 realize profit of nesrly mil
lion and q half of dollars out OF the digging Of
FIVE miles of q canal costing only $40 900.
IL, previous to its passage, the original charter
granted to the New Orleans and Ship Island Canal
Company had been referred by the Legislature to
the consideration of the present able State en-
gineer, l venture to say that this scheme would
have never been entertained. and then the addi-
tionsl act would have had no reason to be dis
cussed.
Respectfully. your obedient servant,
l.. SURGI. City Surveyor.