The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-02-17

MR. sURGrs REPORT CONCERNING THE SHIP ISLAND
CANAL SCHEME.
SgRvEYoR's OFFICE. CRY HALL,
New Orleans, 3lst December, 1865.
Hon. John r. Conway, Mayor:
Sir-In answer to your letter requesting me TO
inform YOU how the contemplated New Orleans
and Ship Island Canal" will, if carried out agree
with our present drainage system, and also
whether 1t will not interfere with the freedom of
circulation throughout our city, have to say,
that to understand the objections which may be
raised against this project l will first give q
synopsis of the charter, showing the privileges
granted and the charges imposed upon the com.
pany. au
A perpetual charter has been granted to Messrs.
F. Brott, Lionel A. Sheldon, Charles Dlling-
ham, Gardper Banks, Ernest Deblanc, Michael
Hahn and W. E. Reed. under the name Of The
New Orleans and Ship Island Canal Company" to
construct canal, with the privilege OF tele-
graph and shell road, from point on the left
bank of the Mississippi river, In the parish Of Jet
ferson, thence through the corporate limits of
Carrollton and Jefferson cities and New Orleans in
direct route as practicable north of Broad street
to the Rgolets, near the outlet of Lake Catherine,
thence to Ship Island.
The canal Is to be at least $50 feet wide ct the
surface, with q uniform depth Of twelve feet
throughout its length. The company has the pri-
vilege to widen the same to three hundred feet,
with q corresponding depth Of twenty-five feet
main canal TO point at or near the river In the
City of jefferson, and are required to cause the
banks of said canal to be made secure and ade-
quste to avoid any danger from overflow or
breakage.
The company shall construct locks to connect
the main canal with the river for the passage of
steamboats,, vessels. barges, etc.
The company will have the right to purchase or
appropriate GOO feet in width, on each side from
the center of their canal.
The construction of said canal shall commence
within twelve months from the 4th of October,
1885, and shall be completed Eve years thereafter.
No more than fifteen drsw-bridges shall be
placed across said canal, for distance OF thirty
miles. through the corporate limits of New Or.
leans, Jefferson and Carrollton.
Any person corporation may use the said
canal for drainage purposes, on such terms and
conditions as may be agreed upon between the
parties. s-s. .I
The above are the main features Of the charter
Of 4th October, 1868.
The whole project is imprscticable by reason of
physical obstacles and of being In collision with
vested rights and is not worthy Of notice, were
it not for the supplementary act which passed one
branch Of the Legislature, and the object OF
which is to build q portion of the Ship Island
Canal with money extracted from the people
without equivalent benefit.
The montrosity is entitled " An act TO aid in the
construction of the New Orleans and Ship Island
Canal, for the purpose Of more etectually levee-
ing, draining and reclsiming the swamp lands In
pose to prove to be an attempt to swindle the
people of New Orleans Jefferson, and OF the State
at large, out of nearly two and quarter millions
of dollars, and infiict irrepsrable losses upon
them.
Let Us see what this act proposes.
The first section repeats all laws concerning the
drainage OF certain portions of the parishes OF JEFF
ferson and Orleans.
The second section consolidates Into one the
draining districts described in the law OF 18th
March, 1858, and legalizes the tax imposed by the
draining commissions in their respective districts.
The third section relates to commissioner, who
will be appointed by the governor, to take charge
of all the assets belonging to the draining dis
tricts, and who will receive as compensation q
per cent. on all moneys collected and received by
him. The said commissioner, besides receiving
the drainage tsxes already assessed In the First
and Second Districts, will complete the assess
ment of the Third Dristrict, and levy tax on the
lands in said district equal to that assessed In the
First Districts $40 mills per square foot.) The
taxes due In the First and Second Districts, and
the whole amount assessed In the Third District,
shall be divided into four equal parts-one-qusrter
shall be payable on the LIST October, 1869, and
each other quarter shall be due and payable an
nually thereafter. The assessment shall remain
first mortgage on the property as now provided
For all lots Of land sold under Judgment said
commissioner shall receive ten cents on each and
every lot. .. --.....-..,
The fifth section says that all moneys collected
by said commissioner shall be paid into the State
treasury, and all real estate acquired by the nom
payment of taxes shall be considered, and held In
trust, as q separate fund and property, to be paid
over and the titles to said acquired real estate to
be made over to the New Orleans and Ship Island
Canal Company, IS hereinafter provided.
The sixth section says, that when the company
shall have excavated portion of their canal 8
feet deep and rs feet wide. for distance Of
miles from point near the Mississippi river, and
connecting with the Bayou GENTLY, they shall
receive One.fOurth of the amount assessed by the
commissioner, and q patent for 100000 acres Of
public land.
When the canal shall have been excsvated $50
feet wide and 8 feet deep, they shall receive an
other fourth of the amount assessed, and patent
for l00,0 600 acres of public land.
When the canal shall have been excavsted $50
feet wide and IL feet deep, they shall receive
another fourth of the amount assessed, and
patent for 100. 900 acres Of public land.
And when the whole canal shall have been COM
pleted as provided In the charter, the last fourth
of said assessment and patent for 100000 acres
of public land shall be paid to them.