The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-06-13
The CONS ERUCTIOE OF OUR LEVEEs

/ Beyond doubt OnaOf the most important
questions which now demands the attention
Of the people Of Louisiana is that which
concerns the construction of our levees, 50
as to prevent the possibility Of another
overflow next spring. In this matter which
il Of such vast Importance as to be more Il
national than State affair, it behooves us
to take counsel together calmly and DELHI
eratcly with view to accomplish the end
in view regardless of politics and every
other consideration that would tend to M II
or Illustrate our purpose.
The convention Of planters and persons
representing the planting interests of Louis
lana, which will convene in this city to-
morrow, will have it in its power to exercise
powerful influence for good if it proceed
to the work before it, as we have no doubt
| it will with firm determin ttion to act in
the interest Of the community at large. 1t
| will, of course, be well to look closely into
the cause of the present overwhelming dis
aster, and to visit upon those who either
through criminal negligence or design. rend-
cred the, calamity possible, the full measure
OF censure. But the main thing, as we
take tito he done, is to make such representa-
tions as will induce the General Government
to take the matter in hand and prevent the
recurrence of disaster hereafter. Through
the Commissioners already sent to Washing
ton, charged with the important work Of
urging the necessity for action Oh the part
Of Congress in this matter, the minds of
many rOminent Senators and Representa-
tives have been favorably influenced, and it
is all important that this Convention shall
make dignified and forcible appeal to the
same end. Composed, as the Convention
will be, Of many Of the best and ablest men
in the State, and men, too, who are largely
interested in her material prosperity, We
have no doubt it will acquit itself in man.
ner which will be entirely satisfactory to
the people.
There are some 100000 cubic yards of
levees to be built, 5000, 900 of which will be
in Louisiana; and the question is: Who
shall build and who shall pay for them
We opine the Levee Company, after its re-
cent exhibition of unworthiness and inabil-
ity or unwillingness to comply with the de-
mands of the law which created their cor
poration, will scarcely be intrusted with
work of such magnitude, even should the
General Government conclude to undertake
the pecuniary responsibility for the same.
1t is much more likely that the Govern
mont will contract with some responsible
party or parties and paw them a reasonable
price for doing the work under the immedi-
ate supervision of competent United States
engineers.
The telegraph informed us yesterday that
the great levee builder, P. J. Kennedy, has
made proposition to the Committee on
Leyees to construct the entire lO,OOO,OOO
yards for the sum of S., 1000, which is at
the rate of thirty-fiye cents per cubic yard.
He says that thirty FIVE cents is as low as
the work can be undertaken for, If the con-
tractor means to fulfil his engagements hon.
estly without relying upon false measure
ments, that there is some portions of the
work that can be done for much less, while
other portions would cost as high as fifty
cents per yard; but ne considers thirty five
cents very low average price.
He says if the contract should be given to
him he would guarantee to have the work
completed by next April, with all the new
levees built three feet above high water
mark, and that, while the work was in pro-
gress, it would give employment to from
twelve to fifteen tho Island of those who are
the immediate sufferers by the overflow.
Mr.. Kennedy's proposition seems to be
very fair one, though there will, of course,
be many Others aud the Government, if it
to act at all, will accept the prof
er which shall be best in every particular.
With the $3,5OO,OoO, expended by the
for the rex obstruction of the
evees, and with the expenditure of frac-
ion of that amount thereafter annually, for
Keeping them in repair, crevasses and over
lows would soon be things of the past, and
he jewellers in the beautiful and fertile low
ands Of the Mississippi be as safe in their
ZONES as the residents on the high lands.