New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-01-14

Teche, the Atchafalaya, the Tangipahoa
Ouachita, Tchefuncta and Red rivers
One half Of tnej estimated requisite appro
pristion for the removal of the raft from
the Red river was passed during the las
session of Congress All these improve
ments, am glad to say, are in progress
or about to be commenced. Congress:
also appropriated large amount of th'
public lands to aid in the building of Z
railroad from New Orleans to Shreveport
It is believed from present indications thai
at an early day the work will be entered
upon and pushed to satisfactory cOnciu
sion. Every effort should be made to secure
the completion of this most essential work
| The Legislature of the State during the
past four years has largely subsi
died a 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 Orleans and
the State at large; no effort must
be spared to bring about this result.
Legislative action is likely to be asked
in regard to the New Orleans, Mobile and
| Texas railroad. Time, it is understood,
is required and will be asked for by the
company to enable it to fulfill the eondi-
tons 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 Legisla-
tire should exact q guarantee amply suf.
ficient to indemnify the State against
| any future failure in the construction of
| the road. Much controversy exists Se-
| garding the real financial status of
| this road, and to the end that the precise
| condition Of the company in all respects
may bo ascertained, suggest that the Leg
islature authorize the appointment of d
committee of citizens in whom the commu-
nifty have confidence to examine into the
facts and to make an early reporto
COMMERCE WITH MEXICO.
steamships between New Orleans 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, and is now before the House, look.
ing TO that object. There is apparently
growing disposition on the part af the gen.
eraf government to secure closer CONNER
cial intercourse with Mexico. Increased
facilities of commerce by way Of New Or.
leans, it is clear. will go far to attain this
desirable result. ! recommend that the
General Assembly memorialize Congress to
pass the bill now before them. o. some other
of like import
THE GEVEES.
The State of Louisiana has larger ailu-
vial territory than any other State border
ing upon the Mississippi, and hence has a
greater interest than any Of them in an
efficient leveei system. To restrain the
waters of this mighty stream within its
proper channel is an almost herculean
task. 1t has long been conceded to be
appropriately a national work. Dur.
ing my labOrs in different department
of the public service was in position to
ascertain the views of the national
legislature on this important subject, and I
found them to be in consonanee with this
opinion. The Legislature Of this State.
however. by the incorporation OF the Leyee
Company in 1871. having adopted on % sery
large scale plan of its own for the con-
struction and repairing OF ievees, She con-
sideration of the subject by The national |
government was postponed. recon- |
mend that the Legislature authorize the |
of q committee. 80 be com
posed of citizens, fully competent to exam
inc and report upon the character and sufi
cheney Of the levees constructed and in pro
cess of construction by the company. and
the degree Of energy with which the work is
being conducted In matter OF such
and Importance. and likely to
constitute so great drain on the State
treasury, it is al important that the people
should know from the most reliable sources
whether this gigantic undertaking is really
10 be successful and confer upon the
State the gesults promised The pusic in
terest imperatively demands tha. no half
way measures shall be tolerated in the exec
ltion Of works for which the people so iay-
SHY bestOw their money!
SINANCEo
The financial condition Q. She State ~ a
subject ot profound solicitude. and Will be
discussed in futEre communications. The
unded debt Of the State. as reported by the
Auditor. amounts 20 $2l sol, SOC: She an
unded debt, incluling certificates Of indebt-
sdness, Auditors warrants, and amount due
he fiscal agent. amounts ts &, ,29l ,605 80.
md the inter est on the funded debt amounts
% 81, ,572, l53 IA annually The revenue to be
lerived from the present rate ef taxation.
licenses, and other sources fox the current
-eaf will be sufficient 20 pay all The
necessary expenses of she State gov.
10 pay the interest oVefdue,
md that which Will become due on the
unded debt during the Hresens year, to
,ay the legislative expenses. and "a pro
'ide for Che redemption OF th. past due
,onis. There Is no good reason why the
CtIs -! paSStluSls SlttE tAs eH!-tHI staEs
horl1 no. be steadily reduced. she de- |
inquens taxes amount 20 - G28, %! Il. due
n shs assessments os 1880 and 1871.
'hssc taxes .heuif be PAID. ana the :egui
its legislation should be had ?, secure
heiE collection. From She bcs: e:idencs
btainable :s is evident that the delinquent
st is in a great measure composed Of those
7he are mosS able to pay. The poor man
ays his tsSss and the yici. sscG!6 not B. |