The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-02-23

Less q per cent. to sbe paid TO q collec-
tor to be appointed in virtue Of the act 4S,05C
Net amount of drainage tax 81 ,s73, $50
Add, also, 400 900 acres Of State lands,
70 be selected BY the company. 100000
Total amount given said company. -. 81, Alb $50
Three fourths Of this amount, 81 s55, ls2, are to
be handed to the company, during the progress,
and after the completion Of five miles Of canal $50
feet wide and IL feet Deep the cost OF which will
not exceed 1888 $40, the remaining fourth, $685.
4s7 so, only upon the completion Of the whole
canal 10 the Rgoiets, as provided In the charter.
In presence OF the above figures you can per.
ceive how true is the title Of this act entitled IAN
act TO aid In the construction of the New Orleans
and Ship Island Canalu and what powerful aid
the property holders Of New Orleans, Jefferson
and Carroiiton cities are compelled to give the
gentlemen originators Of the scheme towards the
accompaniment of their design.
Inc wnele cost OF the canal will not exceed
So,0OOOOO; so, beside the injury inflicted upon
their property, and without particle Of interest
10 tne contemplated work, the proprietors within
the limits OF the absve named cities are made to
contribute to one-haf Of the entire cost of its
construction.
Having acknowledged the first part OF the title
OF the above-named act to be in strict accordance
with its meaning, we are obliged to say that the
latter part is just the reverse and that instead Of
= more eaeetualiy leveeins, draining and reclaim
ing the swamp lands in the OF the city Of New
SWAMP
rear Of Carrollton and Jefferson City, the project
ed act will entirely ruin our system of drainage
bring the river and lake waters within our doors.
cut OF communication between the front and rear
paris OF our cities, compel us to double the present
number OF draining machines, and as the whole
river front from Carrollton to the lower part of
New Orleans will have no other outlets for the dis
charge OF rain or domestic waters than the con.
tempisted canal, we will IS it is contemplated by
the charter Of the New Orleans and Ship Island
Canal be obliged to drain the whole front lands
INTO the said canal, on such terms and conditions
as VIII be agreed upon between the parties, and |
Dy these means place the $4,000 inhabitants OF |
me above named cities, for drainage purposes, at
the mercy OF the seven propretors Of the charter
who will thus be enabled to accomplish their work
entirely at the expense OF the public.
To give pretext for this new legislation, and
apparently legitimate the appropriation, Of
$1,000 600 OF the public money to the New Orleans
ana snip Island Canal Company, clause has been
inserted In the sct compelling the company to
build levee on the north side of their canal 10
protect the cities from any overhows from the
lake or river water. This obligation Is simply alb.
surd, as the building Of this evee will afford no
whatever in case of hurricane the
only difference for Us will be thatin of recey
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-
i. This clause must have been inserted solely for
ine purpose Of deceiving an unguarded public,
VINO mad suffered 30 much from the late over. |
low. which could have been prevented at cost
u soUO and make them believe that the pro-
posed relief is equal to the remuneration granted
70 the company.
In fact, there was no reason for Introducing
MS clause, for similar but more adequate pro-
eeuon against the lake water is already pro-
'ided for in the original charter the COMPANY
icing obliged 10 make the banks Of their canal
ecure and adequate, 10 avoid any danger from
'vernoW or Dfeakage, and, must say, that Ii is
lot an onerous obligation imposed upon them, for
! is the result Of the work ITSELF the earth com.
ng from the excavation will furnish material
nough TO make levee on each bank, at least 10
eel high, 20 feet wide at top and 100 feet at the
ase, amply suffcientto repel the lake water.
sncn VIII not be the case, however. should i
revssse occur at or below the lock intended by
be company to be bst at Csrroilton. The cities J
New Orleans, Jefferson and Carollton being
cited by the inner or south levee Of the com. d
snys canal, then whole area would be covered 8
I'm sheet OF water from five TO ten feet deep, .
I'd should this canal ever be built, this impend.
lg calamity will, like Damocles's sword be con-
antly hanging over our heads.
This fact is SO well known that, during all the
me our State was under the control Of its own
nzens, the building OF locks or sluices was
ways prohibited in the bends of the river
mere the banks are always subject TO caving or
)rason.
Another Of the many Objectionable features n,
% whole project is the location Of the canal on
Q north side OF Broad street, In the vicinity of
syou Savage and Gently Road, to say nothing
the damage which this location will occasion
the i've railroads chartered by the State and
Q city Of New Orleans. or OF its interference
tn the navigation OF the New Canal and OF the
NAL Carondelet, you win find that the fifteen
hwDridges so generously granted to the public.
distance Of thirty miles, are far from being
n1cient to afford a speedy communication be-
cen the two severed parts OF our cities.
As whole. the project is an absurdlty, and.
have already said, not worthy Of discussion
q ought not TO be noticed, were IL not for the
termined intention to squeeze money from an
erburdened community, exhibited In the sup
'mentsry act, which, II ever passed BY the
gislature, will permit the gentlemen projectors
the scheme TO realize q profit of nearly mil
D and half Of dollars out OF the digging Of
} miles Of canal costing only $94O, 600.
I, previous TO its passage, the original charter u
nted TO the New Orleans and Ship Island Canal
npany had been referred by the Legislature to
consideration Of the present able State en-.
eer, venture to say that this scheme vould
70 never been entertained, and then the sddi- 10
sed. isason 70 De ois- str
Respectfully, your obedient servant, %Ss
l.. SURGI, City Surveyor. ira Sn