New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-27

Levees Wanted Before Railroads or
A private letter written by gentleman
in this city has been handed us with per-
mission to publish his very decided views
upon the necessity tor some aid to the
levees. There can be no doubt that the
agricultural interests Of the riparian plant
ers are paramount to all other enterprises
in the nature Of public worke, and while We
may not go the length he does in estimating
the comparative inconsequence of the Pa
siic railrpad, We think his views are worthy
of serious attention.:
New ORLEANS, April g., 1876
DEAR SIR-The leyee convention has met
and adjourned. The wise action OF this
body of the representatives Of the people
meets with the approval Of every citizen,
and We can not exprese too high Re z ard
for those who have persistently labored in
the. cause, which is paramount to every
other in our country.
Itis not my purpose to eulogize the leaders
to addreas mysef to some OF the surround-
ings and results of the situation in connec
ton with the levee question.
By reference to tho map of the State, as
drawn-in 1874 during the inundation, We at
d glance see that the entire west bank of
the Mississippi river, extending back for
miles from the Arkansas lines to the Gulf
of Mexico, was one great lake, under whose
waves perished one of the most promising
crops of cotton, sugar, corn and rice ever
seen in any country; what few weeks
before bid fair u bring into our country
millions OF dollars, together with all
the comforts to which our people had
grown unaccustomed, through poverty,
were without assign of admonition swept
away. And this was. common disaster,
affecting the interest Of the private citizen,
the State of Louisiana. and the treasury of
the United States. The country is not now
much better off than then, and yet it is
proposed to build railroad through this
impoverished region, known as the New
Orleans Pacific railway.
In the consideration of this enterprise
would it not be we'll to consult the expert
ence of Mr.. Charles Morgan touching only
twenty miles of his Louisiana and Texas
railroad? Ask him if, iu the fair consulta-
tiOn of his interest, he.haa no road through
that section Of the overflowed country.
would he feel justified in building one.
And yet the New Orleans Pacific Railway
Company propose to tax people already
burlened with taxation to embark in an
enterprise not justified BY the experience
of others and the facts.
Beyond doubt the New Orleans Pacific
railway would add much to the wealth of
New Orleans and the State, and at the
proper time should be aided and eneour-
aged; but that time.is not at hand, and can
not be until the country from which it emf
mates and through which it passes is pro
tected from destructive oveIfows.
Let US now consider tho effects of the
Eads ietties on the prosperity Of Louisiana
and New Orleans.
Louisiana owe, flowed and New Orleans
threatened. of what material advantage
will the jetties be to either? The fact ie,
the Esds mouth Of the Mississippi is simply
an outlet for the commerce of the West,
and in q few years, unless We can get the |
general government to take charge OF and
build up our levees, New Orleans will be q
mere sign on the map. indicating the former |
existence of . city.
1t behooves rs to put forth every effort |
to assist those engaged in our cause to &C.
crmplish the levee system proposed. Our |
people can hold back no longer their sup
port The press must, in terms of approval,
speak to the people Of other sections, and
officials must be called upon to put forth |
their highest endsavors in fostering and |
pressing tho matter to its intended termiua-
tion. Yours, very truly,