New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-10-31
NEW ORLEANS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 81 1871.
Levee Meeting At De.aIdsspvilIe.

Levee Meeting at DonaJdsenville.
We have already stated Governor Wa
p moth was at Donaldsonville on the twenty
first instant. in reference to the levees. tn
Donaldsonville Chief contains this report:
!, According to previous announcement
there was q meeting of planters and citi
zens at the courthouse last Saturday, fo
the purpose of conferring upon the suhjec
; OF the broken levees, and devising mean
weter.
Governor WarmOth was present in fr,fll
ment OF his promise, and representative.
were on hand from the adjacent parishes O,
1berville, West Feliciana, St. James, St
John the Baptist, St. Charles and Orleans
The meeting was called to order By Judge
E. w. Mason. whereupon Mr.. N. Dufel
was nominated and elected president. and
Judge Mason and Mr.. Octave Terrio chosen
secretaries.
The chairman stated the object Of the
meeting, and invited Governor Warmoth
to address the assemblage. The Governor
complied, representing that the Louisiana
Levee Company had completely failed
financially, and that the citizens had only
themselves to rely upon to protect the
country from overflow. He promised them
| ~SO
ture reimburse them for the outlay they
will be compelled to make in rebuilding the
levees, and said he would not allow the
collection OF the levee tax unless he could
control it and prevent it from falling into
the hands OF spectators in levee stock; if,
however, he could control the fund, he
would order the collection of the tax and
distribute the proceeds equitably among
those who had contributed to the repair Of
the levees. The Governors remarks were
well received and frequently applauded.
Mr. Duncan +. Kenner followed in a terse
address, but made some disparaging allu-
slons to the police jury, which We consiGl-
cred entirely uncalled for and very unjust,
considering the spirit exhibited BY that
the object of the meeting in every way in
it's power. The hands Of the jury are tied
by the laws Of the State, and the fact that
they can not rebuild the levees is not the
fault of the members thereof
Judge Mason responded in q briet but
vigorous defense Of the police jury, which
was warmly applauded: The judge had
been untiring in his efforts to make the
meeting q success, having visited the adioin-,
ing parishes and secured the attendance of
representatives from each, and he naturally
felt the injustice of the slurs thrown upon
the body Of which he was presiding officer.
Messrs. Mccall and Duffel, General
Thomas, Judge Walton and Dr. Mccormick
were successfully called upon, and made
brief remarks appropriate to the subiect
under consideration.
Upon motion, committee was appointed
to solicit subscriptions from the planters
and inhabitants generally to rebuild and
repair the levees Of this parish, the follow
ing gentlemen composing the committee:
Duncan F. Kenner, DR.. j. L. Mccormick.
Jacobs. '
The meeting then adjourned.
The Ascension Leader reports the remarks
of Governor Warmoth and Duncan f, Ken
ner on that occasion. Governor Warmotb |
said:
Gentlemen-I feel that nothing has been
done by the government nor the Ievee com
pany toward building the levees. | am
fully convinced that the company are
unable to build them. There is not a man
among them who can raise twenty thou
sand dollars. The whole, as it first origi-
mated, was gigantic scheme for plunder.
l refused to sign the bill; but seeing that
my veto would avail nothing, l agreed to
sign 1t If certain concessions were made in
favor OF the State. This was done and /
signed the bill.
have done everything in nv power to
prevent the company from fulfilling their
contract with the State. l am determined
that the two mills levied shall not he col
!ected until get control Of the companv.
There are some negotiations going on now
to that effect-the result Of which am as
yet unable to state. The people need not
wait tor the company, as have official in
formation of their total inability to act, I
shall use my influence with the next Legis-
ature to reimburse you for the money ex-
'ended in building your levees; and should
OQ ROn troll nf t1,ro |
oilect the tax and reimburse you myself.
In conclusion, most seriously urge upon
'ou the necessity OF going to work at once. ,
Duncan +. kenner was then called for.
nd responded as follows: .
w-citizens-It has been a long time : :
lnce made speech, and The fact is, did
ot come here to do much talking but to 60 8
work and build our levees. We can not +
epend upon our Legislature, nor can we !
lace any reliance upon the present police
nry. [SOme gentlemen here asked vino it
Tas that appointed them. This is neither
ere nor there. The Governor was the ONLY
ne that have found so far that is willing 1
D assist US, and shall we refuse to accent
!! No. f'
God knows have always been Demo
rat, and never liked Republican, and c
'ould not vote for Governor Warmoth to- I
borrow if was called upon: yet think if
was stuck in the mud, and the party who a
ad made the mud and the party who had '
tuck me into it was to come along and '
fer me his hand, would not refuse It and q
I'll him to 60 away; that he had got me n
ito this and would stay there rather than s
} accept his assistance. This will not do.
do not wish to hatter the Governor. e
ut he has shown a strong desire to G
ssist us, and deserves a great deal of il
The president of the meeting explained
le law, as it now exists, with regard TO =
le powers Of the police jury in the premises y
I'D was of the opinion that that body is en-
rely incompetent to do anything. A
Cotton Statement. :,