New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-06-07

make shorter line for the protection
levee that is to be built around this city
There is only about two hundred AM
twenty feet we would have in the parlsl
Of Jefferson to complete it to the lake.
The amendment of Mr.. Todd was thel
adopted, and section one, as amended, wa
adopted.
Section two was read.
Mr.. Packard: desire to offer an amend
ment to the second section Of the bill, an(
send the same to the Secretarys desk, ant
move its adoption, upon which amend
ment I desire to speak.
The amendment was read, striking on
that part incorporating Orleans, RICH
bank.
Mr.. Packard: It is certainly very un
heard-of way of legislating, to attempt tt
incorporate an entire parish into an incor
pora,ion before first ascertaining that the
people of that parish desire to be incor.
porated; and much more so, when the
people almost unanimously are opposed
to such an act. The people of the parish
of Orleans, right bank, are opposed to
being incorporated with the city of New
Orleans, and they have given expression
in opposition to this measure. And, as
their representative, have been informed
that they are desrous that l should oppose
this measure. When the people of the
right bank desire to be incorporated, they
will so express themselves in favor of such
a move, and will make themselves under
stood as to their choice Of municipal
government; but until they do SO
express themselves, claim that this Gen
eral Assembly have no constitutional right
to change the form of government OF that
people, and any attempt on the part OF
the General Assembly to change the form
of government directly against the we'll
known wishes of that people, is an attempt
at revolution and subversion of the we'll
grounded rights they possess under the
fundamental law of the State. The very
first article of the constitution of the State
tells you that governments are instituted
among men deriving their just powers from
the consent Of the governed" Who says that
the consent of the governed has been first
obtained, before attemlD6pg to establish a
city government for the people of the right
bank? Who says this new government is
to be instituted and its powers derived
from the consent of the governed? Who
says that the people of the right
ment? 1t is not the people of that parish.
They do not desire to be incorporated.
Do you tell me that you are not trifling
with the sacred rights of these people :?
De you tell me you are not violating the
plainest provisions of the constitution, an
that the people themselves
have given you as your guide.
The original local governments Of this
State are parochial. The constitution of
this State speaks of no other local govern
ment except parochial; and it is only by
consent of the people interested that you
may establish any other. A municipal
government is an enactment unknown in
the constitution of the State. And it is
only by the consent of the people that
such government can be tolerated. It is
a corporation Of a certain number of
people; the same as any other corporation.
And who ever heard of incorporating any
number of persons against their wishes
of this kind are enacted for
convenience where the people desire it,
and when for police purposes it is desired
by the people interested, but never with
out the consent of the people, and only
when they will be benefited by it.
How will the people be benefited by
this measure In what respect have the
people of the Right Bank an interest in
common with the people of New Orleans?
Because the people of the great city Of
New Orleans want their streets paved for
purposes with expensive pave
nents, and are willing to be taxed for it,
s that any reason that the little parish Of
Algiers needs any such improvements
Aud should she be taxed to improve New
Orleans and get no advantage therefrom
herself? She needs no such improvements,
md expects to get none, and desires none.
WHAT advantage will the tremendous fire
departments OF New Orleans be to Algiers?
suppose great fire should break out IN
Algiers; what advantage will the numer-
us fire engines be to Algiers? Why,
lone. 1t would be impossible to get them
cross the river; and Still she must be
axed to support that great department, as
yell as New Orleans.
Again, what advantage will be the mag
iicent waterworks that Senators boast
THAT are going to be carried into every
ody's house, and even to the upper
tories thereof-as we'll as carried through
II the streets of the city for public pur-
oses? What advantane are they to be to
.lgiers?
What advantage is the gas that's carried |
trough every street in the city Of New |
rleans to be to Algiers? And still she is
} be taxed and must pay her part for all |
1ese great advantages to New Orleans |
nd receive no benefit whatever herself |
uch is the injustice this bill proposes to /
flict upon the parish of Orleans, right
ank.
The Mississippi river is the dividing
ne, and always will be. Their interests
e in no respect alike. The little horse
ZOE crest of Algiers can never compete
ith the great Crescent City. The little
ttlement opposite the city is supported
holly by the few ship yards and dry
,cks; and when those are moved away,
they are liable to be when the opposite
INK comes under the control OF New
rleans, then all the sources of revenue to
e little village opposite will be shut off,
len the streets OF Algiers will be as quiet
graveyard.
And what further does this bill propose
do? 1t proposes to incorporate twelve
antations, extending Twelve miles down
e river, into the city of New Orleans.
no ever heard of such an idea? And still,
is measure is advocated by men who
him to be statesmen. Why, there would
more reason ten times over in annexing
Q parish of St. James and all the rest of
e territory on the left bank of the river
the State; for the city is going up river
St, and may reach before many years up
the State of Mississippi.
Tel me the people twelve miles below
e city, on the other side of the river down