New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-06-06
ANOTHER DELUGE,

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Old canals is under water from the lake t.
Claiborne street, the water extending ever
further into the city, though not to a suf
ficient depth to make boating good. From
Milneburg to GENTLY road the country is
also under water. But, we understand
the water is not deep enough to obstruci
travel by the New Orleans, Mobile and
Texas railroad and the Pontchartrain rail,
road, though it has somewhat interfered
with the regularity of their time.
The storm that has occasioned this de-
structive overflow has been severe one
for this season of the year; yet we are
satisfied, from what We can learn, that
much of it could have been avoided if the
lessees of the New canal had fully per-
formed the duty that devolves on them
of keeping the levees of the canal in good
condition. According to an act of the
Legislature of 1866, passed when the Dem
ocrats were in power in that branch of the
State government, the New canal, with all
its magnificent privileges and appurten-
ances, passed into the hands of its
present lessees, they binding them
selves to fulfill the conditions of
the charter creating the monopoly of
the immense perquisites that flow from
the business that passes through the
canal, together with the receipts of the
tollgate situated on the shell road running
along its bank. If the individuals who
enjoy these rich franchises had kept the
banks of the canal in good order, it is
quite certain that all of that part of the
city lying between the two canals, and
extending from the lake to Claiborne
street, might have been saved the disaster
that has befallen it. We are credibly in
formed that the gentlemen lessees to
whom Democratic Legislature be-
queathed so much wealth, were timely
notified of the weak condition of the
canal bank in places. But they paid no
attention to these friendly warnings that,
if needed, would have saved the people
living in the rear of the city from their
present misfortunes. 1t is only necessary
to pass into the district inundated, and
behold the condition of the people, to be-
come convinced of the widespread ruin
that has been produced.
But few days ago the REPUBLICAN
scribed the fourishing and improv-
ing condition of this very dis
trict. 1t was urging the import
ance of proceeding with the work of an
efficient system of drainage and the build
ing of protection levee to guard against |
inundation from the lake A trip had |
been made to view the initiative steps in
this great work, and it was during this |
trip that much was discovered to create |
the impression that with proper system
of drainage and protection levees the day |
was not far distant when city improve
ments would extend to the lake The |
people had recovered from the effects of |
previous oyerhows and were pushing their
toward Metairie Ridge with
energy Wherever the eye
glanced there was evidence of improve
ment. Along the line of Canal and other
streets running parallel to it, toward the
ridge, new houses were constantly spring
ing up, and garden spots cultivated;
the scene presented was bright and en-
But suddenly the view is
changed. The pleasant homes are rem
Tered uninh abitable and the beautiful
gardens vegetable and flower are turned
INTO a desolate wilderness of water. AL
most every person living in this section
lept poultry, and many had horses and
ows and dogs and cats. All of this kind
# property is bound to suffer by inun-
Iation. 1t has already been estimated
hat the loss of property occasioned by
he present overflow will probably reach
ne million of dollars. We hope this
nay prove to be incorrect, as the loss of
luch of it will necessarily fall on people
hat can i'll afford to sustain it. But the
oss will not only be felt by them. 1t will /.
e felt by our city and by all who own
roperty and are interested in the growth
nd prosperity of the place. I
Many of our people have witnessed 7
milar overfiows here and know their I
isastrous results. They have dreaded a
lem and hoped to see steps taken to /
revent their repetition. The REpUB- r
ICAN has advocated system of efficient L
rainage and protection levees because it S
elieves that is the only way that security /
IN be given to our people and city
,ainst foundations. Every additional f
yerfow adds to the proof of the neces- t
ty of the accomplishment of this work p
is to be hoped. then, that no unneces- t
ry delay will be allowed in its prosecu- n
On to completion. c
And while the lessees of the New Canal a
g clearly culpable and richly deserve II
e annulment of their charter franchises, e.
addition to being compelled to pay all s.
images to persons injured in their prop 81
ty, the community can not hold the v
ty administration guiltless for the ter u
ole calamity that has overtaken the rear
the city. 1t was known to the city
gineers nearly a year ago that certain
aces on the New canal shore were in W
ed of repairs. Notice was served upon t.
!