New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-05

ml6elOuerb duU cuSluocEb. 81, UU
Total. 1856 oO
The rate would be proportionately re
duced as the amount of convict labor in
creased, thus lessening the necessity 70,
hired labor.
The adoption of this plan would not in
any manner prevent the national govern
ment taking partial or entire charge of thu
leveee, should it be disposed to do so .,
some future day, and will enable the State
in the meantime to meet two very seriou,
dificulties-how to keep up the levees a
far az possible with the means at our com
mand, and what to do with the State con
victs and the Penitentiary should an ext
gency involving the latter be forced upon
the State. If the general government at any
time should come to the relief of the State
in the matter of the Mississippi leveee, the
convict labor even then colud be utilized on
the levees of the interior streams Of the
State or on other public works.
| The State Engineer reports that the
Levee Company built in the levee year
Auditor reports that they have already re-
ceived in payment of the same, out of the
taxes of 1874, collectible in 1875, tho sum of
$500, 800, or at the rate of forty four cents
per cubic yard, being within six cents of the
amount fifty cents per cubic yard allowed
them by their charter. A large portion of
the taxes of 1874 remain yet uncolected,
and after paying the remaining six cents
there will be a considerable excess to the
credit of the levee fund.
Upon this showing, it is evident that
the present levee tax could be reduced.
and the revenues, if properly utilized
under the proposed plan, would build quite
as many or more levees than are now built
by the Levee Company. This company re-
ceive three-fourths as much from the
State as is paid for all State purposes. in.
Guiding the half mill for the purchase of the
State House.
The Chief Engineer of the State. in re-
port regarding the ineficieney of the pres
emit system, says:
The tax must be increased, the price re.
duced, or the large force of convicts now
employed on works outside of the walls of
the Penltentiary must be utilized on the
levees for the benefit of the State. that
more cubic yards can be constructed each
year than is possible under the present ar.
rangement. As it is constitutionally i'm
possible to increase the tax, practically in
expedient to remit more than the simple
repairs OF the levees to the planters or par
lshes. L must recommend that proper acts
% passed combining or consolidating the
contract OF the Levee Company with the
lease OF the Penitentiary, that more levee
WORK can be done than is now possible.
BOARD OF WORKS.
Should policy of this kind be adopted BY
the State it seems to me that its practical
operation could be best carried into effect
by board of public works, to be composed
OF hve or three competent citizens, to be
elected by the General Assembly in Joint
ballot, or in order to divide the response.
olllty. three to be elected by the General
Assembly, and two to be appointed BY the
executive, or two elected and one appointed,
VINO should be authorized to take charge of
tue entire levee system of the State
Chief Engineer and two assistants to be ap-
whose duty it should be to survey
ana locate the the levees required, under
'ne uirectlon OF the board of works; this
0oara to have absolute control of all the
CONVICT labor of the State; the work on the
e'ees 10 Dc prosecuted during the entire
car: tue revenues derived from taxation
or levee purposes to be disbursed for work
'er1ormed in the same mannsr as other
'ialms against the State are audited and
'alo' the board accounting to the Leeisla.
"ro annually for the proper perform
nce OF their duties, or to the Governor
whenever required to do so. 1t seems
me that with parties 40 evenly
aianced as they are now. with large Con-
0r'a'ive element pervading the General
lssemoiy this is most propitious
LILO " secure the appointment
competent men, not politica
aftisans, whose high character and un-
uestioned capacity will give guarantee
ia' tne money collected for levee purposes
III oe wisely and properly expended.
!" PROFOUNDLY impressed with the peculiar
,"Siolhty OF the public mind in this respect.
10 whole Ievee system should be lifted out
all poh'ical influences. Under the pre-
NV system the executive appoints two of
70 lures commissioners, and the three en-
DooiS' ana under the law the Levee Com.
'nS oan only build levees in such places
~ 10 such extent as the Board of Com.
.ssionefs may determine. There is GER
my greater facility under the present
stem Tor making the public works politi
1eSef' than under the proposed plan, !.
o"gh 1t is only right to say this has not
en done. BY the plan 1 have sketcbed out
,aoorers being mainly convicts deprived
a., Pohtical rights, ard the controlling
"fe oeing composed. as trust it would
y. c''lzens OF the highest character, not
0.n'nently identified with any political
r'y' believe a greater degree of eff.
Aoy ana economy would be secured, and
safer satisfaction given to the tax payer "a
=, = ~ any other method. Until the gen.
y government comes to our relief, how
''' VI until the plan have suggested, or
10 other practical plan be adopted, l
"o' prepared to recommend the imms-
40 repeal Of the charter of the Leves
.psny, Objectionable e. it is.
nave discussed this question at oonsid-
0.e length, not only because it is of the
"S''s importance to the State, but b.