The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-02-09

''. ..;on to all products and mer-
,'ndse and make New Orleans what
A'. -n destined it to be, unsurpassed by
''', ,n,nerc;al city on the Atlantic sea-
y, In this connection will say that
~ a.. unanimous sentiment of our
: !. that it is the dirty of the general
''l ,n,,ent to grant to Louisiana and
southern States tl.ay proper pro-
.'- +.,n Of national ail{I s'ecutins
works OF internal improvements,
1,cb thew we're deprived during the
and which has been SO lavishly
W, ..d 70 Northern States. Such action
n 90 far to cement the kindly rela-
wy now 50 rapidly growing up between
...,ions ! would recommend the
rr..r.I Assembly to memorabilia Con-
O mon this important subject by a
piat resolution
LEvEEs.
Tho care Of the leeves and the protec-
4 The valuable alluvial lands of the
S.,,. which mainly produce our two
80, stables, are especially recommended
70 your attention.
,n3upon all-important subject l would
mark that the reports from the Board
pObre Works show that the appro-
ZION Of three millions of dollars in
r. hords Of the State have been ex-
t,rs,eS and that still the large crevasses
:, .sb-a and Diamond Island Bend,
,a .rsral smaller breaks, are open,
"A .,pe of the levees are still below
rah
7ssr reports show that they have con-
,+ntel C,O5S, $50 cubic yards of levees
s,e their organization, at an aggregate
ra of $3,273,000, and that they will
rOuire 100000 more to place the
whole system III repair, and thereafter a
onstant annual appropriation or tax to
l,Nide for the inevitable wear and cavinS
4 the banks of the rivers.
From these figures we can Judge the
vast expense of the levee system, and
this will be the case whether the work be
done by the riparian prop!ietors, the
parish authorities, the State or general
government, or by a private corporation
md the matter is of such magnitude that
i. should engage your earliest and most
earnest attention.
The bill passed by the last Legislature
ging the lcvees to II private corporation
contained some serious objections, and
iayp returned it with my veto; but it j:
ch II. that some more tffi :ient plan
must be adopted than that OF irregular
nd uncertain appropriations, for though
i can be shown that the works done by
The Board of Public works have been
successfully constructed, yet this vast
bbOy will be nearly useless unless the
other and constantly occurring crevasses
are closed and the large works, already
built, slycd from the encroachments OF
4 the river.
| would therefore recommend that q
sufficient appropriation be made, and that
the powers Of the Board of Public Works
be increased 50 that they can have works
coae without contract, when desirable,
and also To authorize them to check the
encroachmentS of the river where the
arSe and costly works are in danger, il
tb practicable.
1t seems apparentthat the Congress of
The United States is willing to assist the
riparian States to rebuild the levees, if
s0ne tangible plan is adopted, and pro-
DaOyacooperative board, to be appointed
Oy the President of the United States,
would insure this desired assistance.
MILITIA.
In accordance with an act of the last
uener;Il Assembly, have taken steps to
eufoA the militia of the State, and have
Aso accepted several volunteer organiza-
uohs' In performing this duty, I felt Il
!" NC at olce a grave and delicate task
.p'h no subject was more apprehension
%'' or would mistake in judgment
nave been 50 disastrous to the general
interests Of the people, as upon that Of
VIC organization of the militia. / was
urged by some to orgs. re a purely par
' y, militia, and se., s,, " blamed by
ullerS fnr pn+ L.. @Ntl VA