New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-16

Government Aid for the Levees.


1t is almost universally conceded that
the levees of the Mississippi valley require
the aid of the national government to
render them efficient in protecting the
property of the citizens. The States them
stlves are unable to combine effectually
to effect the relief demanded, and private
enterprise is utterly inadequate to afford
even temporary relief. The Chamber of
Commerce of this city was early in the
field urging the United States to assume
control of this matter as a national work
imperatively demanded. At its last meet
ing resolutions authorizing the appointment
of an agent to press the reasonable demands
of Louisiana upon Congress were passed,
and Prof C. G. Forshey appointed. This
necessarily entails some expense, but, if
properly divided, it will be found trivial in
amount and insignificant compared with
the object in view. 1t is right that all
parishes and parts OF the State whose pros
perity is coexistent with the maintenance
of the levees should bear their portion of
this small buredn.
President Bussey, of the Chamber, has
therefore addressed the following commun;-
cation to those most interested:
CHAMBER OF CoxnERCE,
New Orleans, January Is, 1876.
To the Police Jurors of the River Parishes of
Louisiana and Citizens of New Orleans;
The Chamber of Commerce adopted reso-
lutons, at it's meeting in December, memo
rializing the Congress of the United States
to assume control the levees of the Missls-
sippi river, and to repair and rebuild them
at national expense. The drainage OF the
States aud Territories of the Mississippi
| Valley flow down upon us every spring, and
| in spite of all that can be done to prevent it,
| great damage is inflicted upon people who
are powerless for selfprotection.
Under authority conferred by the Cham
ber, I have appointed Professor C. G. For
shey, gentleman we'll known to you as an
engineer of ability, who has had many
year. experience on the various public
works of this State, to proceed to Washing
| ton, to represent the Chamber and the peO
| pie in their prayer to Congress for. national
aid.
This mission to be as effectual as it nigh:
and should be, will be attended with Con
| siderable expense, which toe revenues OF
the Chamber of Commerce are not sufficient
to meet. therefore appeal to those most
directly interested to raise suhscrigtloni
| and for ward the amounts to II. 0. Seixas
chairman of the executive committee OF ths
Chamber of Commerce, who will give early
account for the money received.
Immediate action should be taken by the
police Jurors of the several parishes, tn,
property of whose people is so greatly en-
dangered, calling on them for such contrl
buttons as they may be willing to make.
people who could under such circum
stances be Indifferent and inactive. wOult
be entitled to little consideration from
others less interested. The time is very op
perfume. Congress is now in session; it
commission of engineers have reported i
favor of system of levees construction
by and under government control, an
re eguIar committees on levees are organize
for the consideration of all questions cor
neoted Herewith. Let our special agen
have the means of being heard through tn
public press, and all other proper ways.
Indolent inactiOn at this time would fort
bode delay elsewhere.
Very respectfully.
| CYRUS BUSSEY,
President Chamber of Comnecca.