The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-02-06


referred TO-. have the honor to be, very re-
specuu{y, THEODORE ]. DIMTRY,
Secretary.
MR.. sURfI's REPORT CONCERNING THE SHIP ISLAND
@ s CANAL SCHEME.
.Et SURVEYORS OFFICE. CRY HALL,
New Orleans, 3lst December, 1865. (
Hon JOB r. Conway Mayor: -
Sd-in answer TO your letter requesting me TO
inform lou how the contemplated New Orleans
and Shif Island Canal will. If carried out, agree
with OR present drainage system, and also
whetbet II will not interfere with the freedom of
circulation throughout our city, have to say,
that 10 understand the objections which may be
raised against this project i will first give a
synopst Of the charter, showing the privileges
granted and the charges imposed upon the com.
psny. sa -t-r..e. -'... l.. .-rt
Ape betudl charter has been granted to Messrs.
g. +. kott, Lionel A. Sheldon, Charles Dilling-
ham. gardner Banks, Ernest Deblsnc, Michael
Hahn dnd W. E. Reed. under the name Of " The
New Otleans and Ship Island Canal Company" to
CONSTRUCT canal, with the privilege of a tele-
graph Ind shell road, from point on the left
bank Of the Mississippi river, in the parish Of Jet
ferson, thence through the corporate limits of
Carrollion and Jefferson cities and New Orleans in
as dire route as practicable north Of Broad street
to the kigoets, near the outlet OF Lake Catherine,
thenceko Ship Island.
The dans is to be at least $50 feet wide at the
throughout its length. The company has the pri-
vilege to widen the same to three hundred feet,
with corresponding depth of twenty-five feet;
also, 10 make branch or lateral canal from the
main canal to point at or near the river in the
City of Jefferson. and are required TO cause the
banks of ssid canal to be made secure and ade-
quate 10 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 camel.
The construction of said canal shall commence
within twelve months from the 4th of October,
1868, and shall be completed Eve years thereafter
No more than fifteen drag-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 or corporation may use the said
canal for drainage purposes, on such terms aud
conditions as may be agreed upon between the
parties.
The above are the main features of the charter
The whole project is impracticsble by reason of
physical obstacles, and of being in collision with
vested rights, and Is not worthy of notice, were
II not for the supplementary act which passed one
branch of the Legislature, and the object of
which is to build "a 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, fer the purpose Of more effectualy levee-
ing, drsibing and reclaiming the swamp lands in
the rear of the city of New Orleans" which pro-
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 inhict irreparable 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
The tecond 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
viii be appointed BY the governor, to take charge
Of all the assets belonging to the draining dis. |
lricts, and who will receive as compensation q I
per cent on all moneys collected and received by /
him. The said commissioner, besides receiving |
The drsinage taxes already assessed in the First /
and Second Districts, will complete the assess !
ment Of the Third Dristrict, and levy a tax on the
lands IN said district equal to that assessed in the
First Dstrict-(3 $40 mills per square foot) The /
taxes due in the First and Second Districts, and |
The whole amount assessed 10 the Third District
shall be divided into four equal psrts-one.quarter
shall be payable on the LIST October, 1863, and
Zach other quarter shall be due and payable an
1ually thereafter. The assessment shall remain
irst mortgage on the property as now provided
~ law
For all lots of land sold under Judgment said
shall receive ten cents on each and
very lot
The fifth section says that all moneys collected
by said commissioner shall be paid into the State
reasiqy, and all real estate acquired by the non
payment OF taxes shall be considered, and held in
rust, rs q separate fund and property, TO be paid
,ver and the titles to said acquired real estate to
70 made over to the New Orleans and Ship Island
Accompany, as hereinafter provided.
" AVA WI he |
hail Dave excavated portion of their canal 9
eet dep and rs feet wide, for q distance of
niles from point near the Mississippi river, and
with the Bayou GENTLY, they shall
receive one-fourth of the amount assessed by the
commissioner, and q patent for loo, 900 acres of
public land.
When the canal shall have been excavated $50
eet wide and feet deep, they shall receive an
,ther fourth Of the amount assessed, and q patent
or l00, coo acres OF public land.
When the canal shall have been excavated $50
eet vide and IL feet deep, they shall receive
mother fourth OF the amount assessed, and q
AT ann for mn of Duhiic l.nS |