The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-06-13
THE LEVEE CONVENT ION.

An important meeting ofplanters residin.
| in the overlooked districts Of the State VII
be held to-day, at 10 O'Clock, at the st. Charles
Hotel. This assemblage will embrace some
Of the most Intelligent citizens Of Louisi
ana, whose interests are Sol iOusly affected
| by the overflow, and it is expected that Ou
Of their deliberations will grow somethin.
practical and some levee system be suG
gest ed that will prove hereafter more eff
cient than the one now in vogue.
The fearful failure of the Levee Company
to build and maintain the levees, and thu
millions of property destroyed by theil
| neglect and delay, in making the necessary
efforts to stop crevasses, that could have
been easily closed, if taken in hand III time
have induced the planters to take the mat
ter in their own hands.
1t seems to be a conceded fact that tn,
construction and maintenance of the levee'
is too expensive and gigantic an undertaking
for either the State OF the several parishes
to assume. The difficulty in controlling
idDOT, anu IUt IluduCIdl Iulu VI tuC VCoPl''
are insurmountabIe obstacles. The property
holders are already taxed to death to pay
the salaries Of negro aud carpet-bag officials
and the interest on the debt of the State
created by the plunderers who have grown
rich upon the life-blood Of the people.
1t is clear, then, that from this condition
of affairs that the only alternative left, is to
invoke the assistance Of Congress, and to
throw upon the National Government the
future construction of the levees Of this and
other States bordering on the Mississippi
River. We would recommend to the Con-
vention the adoption Of q resolution calling
upon the Levee Company for full statement
Of their transactions, showing how much
money they have received, and what dispo-
sition has been made of it, also where and
when it was discussed.
In default Of such IN exhibit we would
suggest resolution expressive Of the incom-
potency of the Levee Company to fulfill its
contract with the State, and therefore should
forfeit its charter. Let memorial then be
prepared, addressed to Congress, represent
ing the true state of affairs in our State, the
utter inability Of the people to protect them
selves against the dangers of overflow, and
the only alternative left is the assumption
Of this work by the General Government.
1t is useless to expect anythin. from the
Levee Company. 1t will collect the taxes
and pocket them, leaving the levees to take
care Of themselves. From the time they
were relieved from responsibility for dam
ages caused by crevasscs, that moment it
became simply an absorbing machine
bank with receiving but not paying
teller. But for that amendment in its act
If corporation there would have been a
different state of affairs from what we see
to-day; and 20 long IS that company is left
free from responsibility for neglect, delay or
inefficiency in its administration, the people
need leok for no projection from overflow.
Hence, it is useless to entertain any PROPOSE
ton from the Levee Company.
They may make professions but unless
they furnish undoubted security for the full
illment Of their promisee, they should not
be entertained. We.shall note the proceed
ngs Of this Convention with interest, and
hops, as we believe, that they will accom-
plisb something for the relief Of the State
md the establishment of a permanent and
,ficient system Of leveeing that will here
,fter give assurances Of safety and protec
ion to the people Of Louisiana