The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-05-17
New ORLEANS, May 16, 1874.
By F. H. G..
Edit rs Bulletin :

NEW OIllIfANS MAY III, ICI4.
Edit rs Bulletin
The rapid fall of the Mississippi and its
tributaries admonishes us that unless we in
tend to abandon half of the State, and give
it up to the food there's no time to be lost in
taking steps to avert an overflow next year.
Another disaster like that of the present
year will impoverish the people to such al
extent that they will never be able to con-
tribute the money necessary for their pro-
lection. Many persons do not hesitate to
say that nothing can be done, and that all
is lost. l do not think so.
The levee construction and repair tax last
year, four mills on the dollar, was 1914,
666 40. This year the taxes are three mills
on the dollar, and deducting tax collectors
commissions, etc, there should be realized
100000. This money will be paid to the
Levee Company unless prevented by Judi
cial proceedings. The experience of this
year has demonstrated the inability, at
least, the failure of that company to afford
adequate protection.
The money now being collected, if paid to
the Levee Company, will be used in paying
old claims, based upon exhorbitant charges,
arrearages of salaries, judgments for dam
ages to be rendered, costs and fees, and not
a cent will be Left to rebuild or repair the
levees. l therefore suggest that public
meetings be held in all the inundated
parishes, that delegates be appointed to a
general convention, to be held as early as
possible in the city of New Orleans, and that
the Hon. A. P. Field, who has shown COM
mendable anxiety to befriend the people
and protect their interests, be earnestly re-
quested to institute suit against the Levee
Company for forfeiture of it's charter for
mis-nser and nOn-user, and to enjOin the
Auditor and Treasurer from paying any
more money to the company. There is no
tax that our people pay with more reluc-
lance than the levee tax, and there is none
they would pay more cheerfuily if assured
of its faithful and efficient expenditure. Let
the Governor request the President to de.
tail five army eng ineers, to compose the
Levee Board, and let the tax now being col
Iected be paid to and expended by this
board.
l admit there is no warrant in the law for
all this; but in view of the great public
exigency involving such vase interests l am
prepared to believe that the President, Gov
ernor, Auditor and Treasurer will not hest
tate to take the responsibility Of acting, re-
lying upon Congress and the Legislature
to ratify and approve their course.
Five hundred thousand dollars judicious-
ly expended would effectually repair several
of the principal breaks in the levee and pro-
UCCC WV VI VI tilo
Eow under water. Next year $500, 900 could
be again appropriated, and thus in two or
three years we can reclaim the State.
1t would be better to rebuild all the levees
this year, and this can b. done if Congress
would appropriate S., 100000, to be expended
as have suggested. and to be considered as
a loan to the State, secured by q pledge OF
the levee tax until refunded.
The people have every confidence in the
ability and integrity of the United States
army officers. Congress is now in session,
and believe would at once authorize the
President to make the detail above sug-
gested, and in view of the disastrous over
flow of this year and the impoverished con-
dition of our people would promptly come
to our assistance.
All we ask Of the General Government is
to permit lis to use the educated talent of
its officers and loan of the necessary funds
for few years.
Very respectfully,
r GOODp