The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-01-25
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ment Of the mouth Of the Mississippi
! river, Of Bayou Teche, the Atchafa-
laya, the Tangipahoa, Ouachita, Tche-
| functa and Red rivers. One-half Ot
the estimated requisite appropriation
for the removal Of the raft from Red
river was passed during the last ses-
sion Of Congress. All these improve
ments, I am glad to say, are in pro-
gress or about to be commenced.
Congress also appropriated a large
amount Of the public lands to aid the
building a railroad from New Orleans
to Shreveport. 1t is believed from
present Indications that at an early
day the work will be entered upon
and pushed to satisfactory conclu-
| sion. Every effort should be made to
secure the completion of this most es-
seiitial work. The legislature of the
State during the past four years has
largely subsidized q projected railroad
from New Orleans westward to the
Sabine. The early completion of this
road and of the road to Shreveport is
essential to the prosperity Of New Or
leans and the State at large; no effort
must be spared to, bring about this
result. Legislative action is likely to
be asked in regaad to the New Or
leans, Mobile and Texas railroad.
Time, it is understood, is required
and will be asked for by the company
to enable it to fulfill the conditions
and stipulations it entered into with
the State. The benefits that the State
at large, and New Orleans especially,
are to derive from so important an
enterprise are greatly prejudiced by
the failure Of the company to push on
the work. Good policy requires that
every proper facility asked by the
company should be extended; but in
making concessions the legislature
should exact a guarantee amply suf-
fcient to indemnify the State against
any future failure in the construction
of the road. Much controversy exists
regarding the real financial status of
this road, and to the end that the
precise condition of the company in
all respects may be ascertained, sug-
gest that the legislature. authorize the
appointment of Il committee Of citi-
zens in whom the community have
confidence to examine into the facts
and to make an early report.
COMMERCE WITH MEXICO.
The allowance of subsidy for a
line Of steamships between New Or
leans and the ports of Mexico and
Spanish America is a subject of vast
Importance to the State. A bill has
passed the Senate of the United States,
aud is now before the House, looking
to that object. There is apparently a
growing disposition on the part of the
general government to secure closer
commercial intercourse with Mexico.
Increased facilities of commerce by
way of New Orleans, it is clear, will
go far to attain this object. | recon-
mend that the General Assembly me-
morialize Congress to pass the bill
now before them, or some other of
like import. ...-
~ THE LEVEES.
The State of Louisiana has larger
alluvial territory than any other State
bordering upon the Mississippi, and
hence has a greater interest than any
Of them in an efficient levee system.
To restrain the waters of this mighty
stream within its proper channel is an
almost herculean task. It has long
been conceded to. be appropriately a
national work. During my labors in
different department of the public
service | was in position to ascer-
tain the views Of the national legisla-
ture on this important subject, and 1
found them to be in consonance with
this opinion. The Legislature of this
State, however, by the Incorporation
Of the Levee Company in 1871, hav-
ing adopted on Il very large scale a
plan of its own for the construction
and repairing Of levees, the considera-
ton of the subject. by the national
government was postponed. recon-
mend that the Legislature authorize
the appointment Of a committee to be
composed of citizens, fully competent
to examine and report upon the char
acter and sufficiency Of the levees
constructed and in process Of construc-
ton by the company, and the degree
Of energy with which the work is con-
Quoted. In matter of such magni-
tude and Importance, and likely to
constitute 80 great drain on the
State treasury, it is all important that
the people should know from the most
reliable sources whether this gigantic
undertaking is really to be successful,
and confer upon the State the results
promised. The public interest i'm
peratively demands that no half way
measures shall be tolerated in the ex-
ecution of works for which the people
SO lavishly bestow their money.
r FINANCE. t ,i
The financial condition Of the State
is subject of profound solicitude, and
will be discussed in future commnni-
cations. The funded debt Of the State,
as reported by the Auditor, amounts
to. S2l, ,5Ol, 800; the unfunded debt,
including certificates Of Indebtedness,
Auditors warrants, and amount due
tJ,o Hoc,l onauf o,nonu ta fO 10 Ol1 6(H