The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-02-18

latter part Is just the reverse and that instead of
(" more efeciually levesing, draining and reclaim.
ing the swamp lands in the of the city of New
Orleans" nothing said about the swami 10 the
rear OF Carrollton and Jefferson City, the project
ed act VIII entirely ruiz system OF drainage,
bring the river and lake waters within our doors
,cut on communication between the front and rear
parts OF our cities compel to double The resent
humber of draining m achines and "a the whoIs
Irlver 'front.' from Carroilton to the lower part Of
New Orleans viii have other outlets for the dis
Ioharge OF rain or domestic waters than the COO.
templated canal, we will. as it is contemplated BY
the charter OF the New Orleans and Ship Island
lCanal, be obliged to drain the whole front lands
unto the said canal, such terms and conditions
las viii be agreed upon between the parties, and
ly these means place the 100000 inhabitants of
the above named cities, for drainage Purposes at
the mercy Of the seven propretors of tue charter.
iwho Will thus be enabled to accomplish their work
lentrely at the expense OF the public.
To give pretext for this new legislation, and
Iappsrenuy legitimate the appropriation OF
S25O0 coo of the public money to the New Orleans
land ship Island Canal Company, clause has been
inserted in the act compelling the company %
lbuild levee on the NORTH side OF their canal to
protect the cities from any overaows from the
flake or river water. This obligation is simoly sb.
tsurd. as the building Of this levee will afford no
Iprotection whatever in case of q hurricane the
fonly difference for us will be that nstead OF receiv
ing the waters direct from the lake, we will have
lteem through the unprotected south bank of the
EDITION.
This clause must have been inserted solely for
tine purpose OF deceiviDg an unguarded public,
fwho had suffered so much from the late over
fhow. (which could have been prevented at cost
LOT $5O0.) and make them believe that the pro-
dposed relief is equal to the remuneration granted
Ito the company.
| In fact, there was no reason for Introducing
this clause, for similar but more adequate pro
jtection against the lake water Is already pro-
iyided for in the original charter, the company
Ibeing obliged 10 make the banks of their canal
Isecure and adequate, TO avoid any danger from
Ioverfiow or breaksge, and, must say, that it is
mot an onerous obligation imposed upon them, for
Is the result Of the work itself, the earth CON-
ling from the excavation will furnish material
}eDough TO make a levee on each bank, at least 10
fleet high 20 feet wide at top and 100 feet at the
tbase, amply sufficient to repel the lake water.
1 Such will not be the case, however, should
lcrevssse occur at or below the lock intended by
1.-THE company to be bHlt at CarroIlton. The cities
lief New Orleans, Jefferson and Carollton being
sbelted by the inner or south levee Of the CON-
tpany's canal, their whole area would be covered
with sheet of water from five to ten feet deep,
land should this canal ever be built, this impend
Hog calamity will, like Damocles's sword be con-
lstanty hanging over our heads.
This fact IL so well known that, during all the
thine our State was under the control OF its own
icitizens, the building OF locks or sluices vas
ALWAYS prohibited in the bends OF the river,
where the banks are always subject to caving or
tabrasion.
Another Of the many Objectionable features of
the whole project is the location Of the canal on
1.-The north side of Broad street. in the vicinity OF
Bayou Savage and Gentily Road, to say nothiog
of the damage which this location will occasion
10 the five 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 Csrondelet, you win ind that the fifteen
| drawbridges so generously granted TO the public
for distance of thirty miles, are far from being
l sufficient TO afford q speedy communication be
| tween the two severed parts Of our cities.
As a whole. the project is an sbsurdity, and
| as have already said. not worthy of discussion
] and ought not to be noticed, were 1t not for the
z determined intention to squeeze money from ar
] overburdened community, exhibited In the sup
I Elementary act. which, II ever passed by The
i Legislature will permit the gentlemen protector
/ OF The scheme 10 realize q profit of nearly mil
| lion and a half of dollars out Of the digging o
l five miles of a canal costing only $4,000.
II, previous to its passage, the original charte
I granted 10 the New Orleans and Ship Island Cana
4 Company had been referred by the Legislature
the consideration of the present able State en-
l gineer, / venture TO say that this scheme wou
] have never been entertained, and then the add
tiousl act would have had no reason to be dis
I cussed.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
l.. SURGI, City Surveyor.