New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-09-28
A. JOURNAL stats OF LOUISIANA

new work, and designate the repairs necee
sary to be made, and then, and not unit
then, could the company tax. the steps de
manded by the people toward their protec
ton from overflow"
The delegation next called on Governor
Warmoth and represented to him the gen
eral apprehension that existed in relation t.
the levees, and the injury to the plantins
interest which would result from continued
delay in beginning the repairs of thest
works. The Governor answered that hif
hands were tied by the charter of the levee
company; that he had nothing to do with
the passage of that charter further than tc
insist on some safeguards being incorpor
ated in the agreement, which had been left
out of the act of the Legislature, embody.
ing the contract of the State with the com
pany. As the charter stood, he said he was
powerless to come to the relief of the people,
All that he could do was to urge the com
pany to prompt action, and if it failed to
comply with the requirements of the char
ter, he would, in his first message to the
Legislature, which assemblies in January.
recommend the repeal sof the act investing
the company with its powers. The Gov
ernor said he had been notified by the com
pany of its organization and of its intention
to begin work very soon. He promised. in
the event of the company's failure, to CO.
operate with the parishes in making agree
ments by which they would be enabled to
repair their own levees.
1t will be seen from this report that there
Is very little dependence to be placed upon
the levee company. Its officers have had
ample time, since the Legislature adjourned,
to make the necessary preparations for the
no excuse to say the directors of the COM
pany are absent, or that the engineer has
not arrived. 1t is the duty of the directors
to be present and not absent, and to have
secured the presence OF their engineer, If
the company could not begin and 20 on
with the 1work, they should. have notified
the Governor of THAR inability to do 90.
The people are entitled to frankness. The
safety of their families and of their
dwellings, as well as their means of liveli-
hood. are involved. The act of tho Legis.
lature which forms the contract with the
levee company cOntemplates an immediate
commencement of the work Of repairs.
The Governor is required to appoint an
engineer within thirty days after accept
ance BY the company of the terms of the
act, and We believe that the terms being
promptly accepted, he lost no time in exc.
cutting that provision Of the act. This
engineer is to form one Of q commission of
three, who were required Immediately to
make an examination of the levees and de.
termine upon the work necessary to be done,
and the company is required within sixty
days after the receipt OF the report Of this
commission to commence the construction
of the work so determined upon. The
company is required to construct not less
than three millions of cubic yards per year
until the levees shall be completed, accord
ing to the standard required by the report
of the commission.
Now, we presume that there has been a
failure to comply with its contract on the
part of the Louisiana Levee Company, and
that its charter is subject to forfeiture. Even
were 1t to begin work upon the levees with
out further delay, it would be impossible to
construct them prior to the winter flood
from above, and were it possible there would
be no time for the new Constructions to be-
come sufficiently solid to withstand the
pressure Of the river at its high stage.
We do not think, therefore, that the par
shes more directly interested in tho levee
system can be expected to wait the tardy
operations of the levee company. The facts |
seem to justify them in ceasing to rely upon
The company, and in undertaking the work |
The people Of Point Coupee,
We see, have come to like conclusion. The |
Echo, of that parish, from which we obtain |
he facts above stated. contains q call for a
mass meeting at the courthouse there on
october 10, for the purpose of devising
means to protect themselves against an
'veraow. This example should be followed |
> the other parishes which front the river.
Undoubtedly the Legislature will idemnify |
hem for all necessary expenditures Of |
money made in its behalf.