New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-21
THE SOUTH PASS JETTlES.
MIR. Eads Sub. Lets His Contract.

1 Mr. Ead0 SubsLet1 HIS CONTRACT
| An article in late number of the St.
Louis Democrat pours food OF light on
Mr.. Eads' probable intentions concerning
his jetty contract. 1t appears the work-or
| the greater portion Of it-has been sub-let
to Pennsylvania contractor, with whom
profits are to be divided, but he is not to
commence work until the cOnfidirg public
have subscribed for South Pass Jetty Com
pany stock" to the amount of 100000!
When the bill passed the Senate, Mr..
Eads was prepared to commence work in a
few days. Next, we hear Of the appoint
ment of Mr.. G. w. L. Bayley as local
superintendent OF the work, and that
labor will be commenced Immediately.
Now the third move is be fore US, with the
assurance Of delay more or less extended,
and depending upon the capacity OF the
st. Louis newspapers TO initiate the jetty
stock on their local market.
The REPUBLICAN has never believed in
the practicability Of the jetty scheme, and
so has conscientiously and persistently oY-
posed it. We have been in earnest on the
question Of gulf outlet, and have conse-
quently opposed any deviation from the
canal plan, which is the only one the
engineers have all agreed upon the practi :.
cability of. Mr.. Eads and the st. Louis
ring have persistently opposed us, and We
believe their opposition has been more in
the interest Of the railr oads crossing the
bridge into their city than Of unimpeded
navigation to the sea.
The action Of the last Congress- in adopt
ing the jetty experiment was doubtless in.
tluenced by the great reputation of Captain
Eads az an engineer. On the strength of
his name ard fame-terribly exaggerated
by the st. Louis newspapers and the
Grange press Of the West-the jetty scheme
was carried through by the exertiOns of a
persistent and wen disciplined lobby. But
the fact that Mr.. Eads has sub-let his con-
tract to third party-able, perhaps, but
comparatively Observation-Disclosures that he
has not all confidence in the success of his
own scheme, but is willing somebody else
should ''identity their names with the inn
provement OF the mouth Of the Mississippi
II, under the euperintendence of the sub
contractor, tho jetties prove delusion and
snare, Mr.. Eads' good name may not be
furnished. He has provided himself safe
line of retreat from all responsibility.
The following is the article from the st.
Louis Democrat: r.
The first practical step in the great work
was taken yesterday by Captain Eads let
ting the contract for cons tructing $50, 900
yards Of fascine work and 100, 900 cubic
yards of stone work; also large amount
Of timber work, piles, etc. The contractor
is Colonel James Andrews, of Allegheny
City, Pennsylvania, who built the stone
work Of the bridge aud the tunnel. Colonel
Andrews is one of the best engineering con-
tractors living, and in energy aud enter
prise is not surpassed by any one. These
qualities, as illustrated in his previous
works. are sufficient guarantee that under
his management the work Of the ,jetties will
be pushed forward with all possible dis
patch. Colonel Andrews is to furnish at
his own cost steamers, tugs, barges, boats,
pile drivers and oil necessary appliances,
and is to put in 10000 yards OF the work
before he receives any pay. As the work
progresses be is to receive $500 600, the bal.
ance to be paid him only after the govern
ment pays Captain Eads. The first pay
ment Captain Eads is to receive is to be
when twenty feet of water shall have been
secured. Every time two additional feet,
up 70 thirty feet, is secured he il to receive !
100000 more.
BY the terms of the contract with Colonel |
Andrews, half of these payments are to be |
received by him, and the other half, until |
the completion of the work, will be held TO |
secure the advances made by the South |
Pass Jetty Company. A company has been |
fDrne under this title with capital stock |
of $4,000, but Captain Eads thinks that |
it will be necessary to call In only $500, |
of this amount. The company, in con- |
sideration of its advances, Is to have ten
per cent Interest on them and 100 per cent
profit, secured like the advances themselves. |
One condition of Colonel Andrews contract |
lie that he is to do as much AS is necessary |
to insure twenty six feet of water and con-
strnct the amount of work specified for |
$2,500,O00 A part of this compensation.
however, is only to be paid after thirty feet |
of water is secured.
The government is to pay Captain Eads
1920, 600 for the work on his securing !
thirty feet of water. Colonel Andrews
contract embraces q large part, but not all
the work that will be required. There are
very strong parties interested in the con-
tract. He is TO commence the work as soon
as the South Pass Jetty company's stock is
subscribed to the amount of $500 900. A
large portion OF it is already subscribed by
some of our enterprising citizens. among
whom are Julius s. Walsh, John jackson.
John 3. Maude, James Richardson, d. p.
Rowland, James Lupe, A. M. BrittOn and
Isaac Cook. Those who wish to identify
their names to the improvement of the
mouth of tho Mississippi river should lose
no time in securing some of the South
Pass Jetty stock, and thus lend their aid to
the most, important enterprise yet started
ia this city.