The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-03-02
legislative consideration.

money were appropriated fr removing the
rocks constituting the distractions, by
blasting, but without satisfactory, results.
Ten years later the subject was again brought
before the Legislature, and a charter was
granted to company to construct a canal
tha: would secure the free navigation of tn,
river in the same way that the Portland
canal avoids the falls of the Ohio at Louis
vile.
Acting under said charter the B:yon Ra-
pides Navigation Company did, at a very
large expenditure of labor and money, con-
struct and complete the said canal; but
nearly al their works were destroyed in
1864, during the Red river campaign Of
General Banks, under the plea of military
necessity; and since that time the company
has been unable to rebuild, repair and re-
open their canal for public Use.
The present bill proposes to put this
canal, at & very early day, again in opera
ton.
The advantages. indeed the necessity of
this improvement, Immediately. is becoming
every day more apparent. The high rates
of freight, superinduced Ivy the obstruction
this canal will overcome, are diverting the
Red river trade, which legitilnately belongs
to the ;;tate und the city of New Orleans, to
the cities of Louisville, ST. Louis, and Gin
cinnatti; and steamboats, are now running
direct to those cities from all points on Red
river, carrying away from our State and
city large amounts of their commerce and
profits. Were the proposed canal reopened,
the low rates of freight which would follow
would compel the upper river boats to with
draw, because their long trips would not
enable them to afford the competition, and
then the entire Red river trade would again
center in New Orleans.
The canal will, when again in operation,
open an outlet TO Gn immense lumber trade
from the virgin forests of the State thus
made accessible; and it viii protect the town
Of Alexandria by diversion of the currents
from the abrasion which is now undermin-
Ing its foundations. This, by the proposed
bill, tho company is bound to do.
In recommending the passage of this bin
your committee is simply giving expression
to the views of the last House Of Represen-
tatives, who passed it by an overwhelming
majority, as also to the wishes of the popu-
lation of the Red river valley and this COM
munity, as manifested By the resolutions
passed Oh the eleventh instant, Mt large
meeting of steamboatmen and merchants,
held in this city for the purpose of devising
measures to prevent the Red river trade
from being taken away from this city.
The State aid asked by this company vii
not increase the burdens of the State in the
slightest degree. They do not ask for SUBJ
sidy, bat simply that the State loan them
her credit, in the shape of bonds, which they
engage to pay in full, principal and interest,
at maturity; and as a guarantee, they will
mortgage to the State their entire property
and works, the value of whici, is about
So, DOC, 900, and submit to forfeiture in
case they fail to meet their obligations; and
finally, they agree at the expiration Of their
charter, to turn over their canal and works
to the State of Louisiana, free of all cost and
in in good order. Thus in consideration of
mere nominal assistance, free donation is
offered to the State of one of the most valu-
able improvements within its borders, short
ching the route of tn. river over twenty
miles and overcoming all Instructions
Wherefore your committee report back
the bill, and recommends its passage.
d. VIC. BROWN,
Chairman;
j, HENRI BURCH,
f. MARIE,
JAMES j. BARROW.
20 w. H. WATERS, .al'f
O. H. HEMPSTEAD.
Mr.. Bryan, of Calcasiel, asked per-
mission until Monday next to submit a
minority report, which was granted, and
upon motion of 1Nr. Kenner, Of Orleans,
the further consideration of the report
and bill was postponed until Wednesday
next at one o'clock, and made the special
order of the day for that hour.
The committee on Enrolment, through