The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-02-13

The nontrosity is entitled can act to aid in the
coDstrufion of the New Orleans and Ship Island
Canal, fr the purpose of more effectualIy levee.
ing, draknipg and reclaiming the swamp lands in
the rea4of the city Of New Orleans" which pro-
pose tobrove to be an attempt to swindle the
people New Orleans. Jefferson, and of the State
at largo out OF nearly two and Q quarter millions
Of dolllrs, and infict irreparable losses upon
them. ra
Let N see what this act proposes.
The ffst section repeats all laws concerning the
drainage OF certain portions Of the parishes Of JEFF
ferson Ind Orleans.
The tcond section consoldstes into one the
draining districts described in the Law Of 18th
March FlS6S, and legalizes the tax imposed by the
draining commissions In their respective districts.
The shird section relates TO o commissioner, who
of all Se assets belonging to the draining dis.
nicts. End who viii receive as compensation "a
per ceft on all moneys collected and received by
bin. Ene said commissioner. besides receiving
the drfnage taxes already assessed in the First
and SECOND Districts, viii complete the assess.
ment q the Third Dristrict, and levy tax on the
lands said district equal to that assessed 10 the
First llstrict-(3 $40 mills per square foot.) The
taxes que in the First and Second Districts, and
the " fole amount assessed In the Third District,
shall he divided into four equal psrts-one quarter
shall ESe payable on the let October, 1860, and
each tther quarter shall be due and payable an-
nuall9 thereafter. The assessment shall remain
first Mortgage on the property as now provided
by lay. 800 .r1
Fo1all lots of land sold under judgment said
commissioner shall receive ten cents on each and
everytot.
Th4afth section says that all moneys collected
by saH commissioner shall be paid into the State
treasury, and al real estate acquired by the non
paynknt Of taxes shall be considered, and held IN
trustb as separate fund and property, TO be paid
oyerk and the titles to said acquired real estate TO
be M de over to the New Orleans and Ship island
Can4 Company. as hereinafter provided.
TIN sixth section says, that when the company
~ alan nt hair nal
feet feep and IS feet wide, for distance OF 8
milef from a point near the Mississippi river, and
CONFLICTING with the Bayou GENTLY, they shall
receive one-fourth of the amount assessed Dy the
com missioner, and patent for 100000 acres OF
pubic land.
when the canal shall have been excsvated $50
feettxide and Q feet deep, they shall receive an
oth@ fourth Of the amount assessed, and patent
for Zoe, GOO acres of public land
When the canal shall have been excavated $50
fee1wide and II feet deep, they shall receive
suober fourth Of the amount assessed, and
patent for 100 900 acres OF public land.
And when the whole canal shall nave been COM
plesed as provided in the charter, the last fourth
of laid assessment and patent for 100000 acres
Of public land shall be paid TO them.
The eighth section says that, in further consld-
ersEon Of the aid and grants conferred by the
STAKE, the said company shall construct and main
tait suitable levee along the north side OF their
caihl for distance Of five miles, and OF such
length and dimensions as TO prevent the city from
beISg oyerfiowed by any crevasse occurring above
It's Intersection with the river and also TO prevent
the city from being overlooked BY water from
LAKE PontchartraIn.
10 money or lands shall be vested in said CON-
pssy until the State engineer or city surveyor
shfl certify that said protection levee Is COM
pl@ied in accordance with the provisions OF this
act
lhe above summary extract Of the original
charter, and of the additional act, being sufficient
teiexplain the whole scheme, we will now ex'
sttine the project in its details, as far as the in
Ietests Of our community are concerned.
In virtue of this additional act, the company il
made the recipient of the unpaid drainage tax, and
ola new one. imposed for their sole benefit, upon
til property holders of the Third District, amount
mk in The aggregate. to a sum of 81, 900, and
assessed as follows:
First Draining District. ................. $3.50 OOe
Second - = .............. 44O,OV'
Third - .................. 9ozpO'
IOtdf wv
Less "a per cent. to ibe paid to a colec-
tor to be appointed in virtue of the act 4s,O5'
Net amount of drainage tax. 81 ,s73, 95'
Add. also, 400 900 acres Of State lands,
! to be selected by the company. 6Oo,OO'