The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-06-14

stated of its cash and balance in IL months
the Company would apply every dollar to
the work. He was not prepared to say that
they could build all the levees, but they
would do all in their power, and If not in
terferred with, would commence work i'm
mediatey.
Kellogg was then called on to adj
dress the Convention. He commenced by
stating that he had been suddenly snm-
moned to Washington, and expected to
leave this evening. He was glad to have
an opportunity of saying few words.
| In reply 70 Mr.. Kenner, he promised to
use all efforts to obtain the appropriation
Of $500, 900 from Congress, and have it ap-
piled 10 the building of the levees, and If
the convention would appoint committee
to go to Washington he would be glad to CO.
operate with them. He then added, IN
reply to Mr.. Johnsor's reference to the
villainous police jury Of his parish, that If
he would furnish the Executive with the
proof of the improper conduct of any Of his
appointees, he would remove them immedi-
/ ately He had just convicted and sent to
the Penitentiary Republican Taxpayer in
PlaGuemine, who spent the money in the
Greeley campaign. He further pledged him
self to give the people a fair election and
the best Legislature they ever had, if the
people would vote.
He then retired. whereupon Mr.. JOS. H.
Oglesby suggested that the Convention
should appoint committee to proceed at
once to Washington.
Gen. Gibson then offered the follow ing
resolutions, which were adopted:
Resolved That the Chairman of this Convention ap-
point committee of Ave members. with instructions
t. pr: c.ed at to Washington and appeal to the
Federal Government for aid to reconstruct rhe levees
which the impoveri he'd condition OF our State aid
PEG e render utterly impossible for them to rebuild
Resolred. That the said committee be instructed to
telegraph to the Speaker Of the House. the residing
officer Of the Senate and the President of the United
States, as follows: "A greater portion of fund Of
Ave hundred thousand dollars, appropriated by Con-
gress for char ty, be more effectualt' used by
employing thos" who are in want upon the work OF
rebuilding the levees, thus securing them not only
the means OF present support but at the same time
sure guarantee a1ainst . repetition OF the overflow
next spr and consequent famine and still more
ia perstive demand for charity"
Mr.. Cranwell then moved for the appoint
ment of a committee OF five on resolutions,
which being adopted, the Chair named
Messrs. 5. Cranwell, Louis Bush, G. W. K.
Bailey, f. Lawrence and j. w. DOherty.
On motion, the Convention then adjourned
until o'clock this evening.
Evening session.
On assembling, the chairman Of the Com
mittee on Resolutions submitted the follow
ing:
Whereas, This Convention has sssembl~ d to con-
slider the exposed condition of the State of Louisiana
by the destruction Of it's evees and to adopt measures
and recommendations for present protection and tu-
ture safety;
And where a. The Bo.rd of the Louisiana Levee Com
pany, through the Hon. D. F. Kenner. acting Presi
mt, has in this Convention expressed their fixed
determin ton to every possible effort, and to
pend their the full est extent Of their ability
in the reconstruction of the levees in Louisiana in
such manner to give adequate and sufficient pro-
lection to the people;
An wi ereas, no change Modification of our pre-
sent evee system. il such should be deemed necessary.
be accom- ,lished before the ting Of the Legls
tnre of thi. State next January, therefore
BE Il Reso'red, That deem it expedient and orr
present duty to cooperate tn the Levee Board for
the purpose of obtaining the reconstruction of the
Levee Board for the purpose Of attaining the recon-
srruction evee uf the State before the next annual
period Of high water. prorided the Levee Com ANY
will give the various overlooked sections Of the
State fair representatives in the Board.
Resolved That earnestly and respectfully appeal
Gong to take into favorable consideration the
important question of making tie levee system Of the
Mi -sissippi River national work. and that they
adopt mea to This effect ca ly practicable
in view Of the great interests inv lived "xtendng NO.
only to he State of lOusianl, but aft citing II the
States OF the Mississippi Valley; and in view of the
in blty Of tn State State subject to over ".
to control the action of another, we deem it highly
proper and impera i've upon the Natl nal 20 ernmnt
to ia charge Of the levees of thu Mississippi River
a liver which is the highway of oneh,lf Of the COM
merce the nation.
Reso'rsd, That in the impoverished condition Of
Lou san& she is unable financially to rebuild the
levees of the State and unless assistance be given to
rebuild them and to naiItan the i'll secure condi-
ton hereafter wide extent Of country will be nul
dated more property destroyed. and the distress and
suffering of the people, white and colored. will be
appallingly increased. That in view Vi the losses
sustained he present year b the overhows of the
various sections If the Mississippi Valley amounting
at least fifteen millions Of dollars nd entailing
additional loss for years to me- which may be rs l.
mated at am ou nearly. if not quite az much more
the calamity may be regarded as n tion.l one. and
consequently the levee system OF the Mississippi
River national work.
R,solred That in our opinion greater and
permanent relief would be aft red to the people OF
this State if Congress would allow the funds contem
pated the relief of suffer to be applied to the
construction eff the levees giving thereby work to the
uner pl yed in the districts overlooked, affordng
present relief to the needy and protection against he
recurrence of the terrible calamity with which we
h We been visited.
Resolpd That the work Of reconstructing tn leyees
now in charge of the Louisiana L Company is
more than that company can in protective manner
a compsh before the annual high water Of next
year therefore we strenuously urge upon the Fed raj
Government the question # making The construct n
Of he levees national work at as carly period as
possib e.
Resoired, That his Excelency, VIM. P. Kellogg. be
aud he is hereby requested to lend his cooperation
and assistance to the delegates of this Convention
credited to Washington, in their forts to obtain AID
and further assistance from the General Gov rnnent
reconstruct and the levees of the State Of
Louisiana.
RtS6tf Il That IN view OF the assurances gwen TO
this Convention by the Levee Company. that the
necessary work will be at once commenced and con-
tnued the broken levees If the State, and willing
10 give the company opp rtunity to redeem taer
pledges especially III rep firing the breaches at Bonnet
ARE, Morganza and Hickey, tie largest ana most
disastrous OF al tn breaks adjourned meeting be
held the 18th day Of July next IL the city Of New r
for the purpos of consid ring the situation as
i then may and receiving such statement of the
progress of their lahors the Levee Company may
De 4 sp osed t. submit to this convention.
Mat 1I;tf init
20 Washington instructed to lay before Congress
he action OF this Convention.
SAMUEL FRANWILL.
LOUIS bUSH,
J.wD UGHTRTY
q. W. X. ,YLY.
E. LAWRENCE.
After the reading of the RESOLUTIONS, Mr.. !
Clinton, the Auditor, was presented TO the
and was requested Ii make a
statement Of the finance. 81 the Levee Com
pany, 50 fax "a they were connected With his
,tfice. He sail that the expenses of collect
NC the levce tax were no greater than for
the collection of any other tax, which he
estimated to be about 8 per cent, of which
- ~atn In.