The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-11-18
MUNICIPAL MATTERS.
THE HYDRoGRPHIC COMMISSION.

MUNICIPAL MATTERS.
THE HYnRoGRpmrC COMMISSION.
They Ask the Mayor for Precise InfOrma-
ton as TO What is Expected of Them.
Yesterday the Mayor received note from
Major Gen. Weitzel, the chairman OF the United
States photographic Commission, asking him to
inform them precisely what was the nature of the
investigation they were expected TO make.
The answer OF the Mayor was. in effect, what Ia
contained in the subj joined letter Of Gen. Beaure-
gard:
Montgomery County, Va, Sept IL, 1877
Dear Sir--I notice In late papers received from
New Orleans that the citizens OF the Second and
Third Districts lave pettioned the City Council
to adopt measures to prevent the encroachmeut
OF the river the levee and front street Of those
districts, and arrest In time the danger which
threatens their private property. The abrasion
complained OF has been going on for many years.
and is due principally to the increase Of batture
In the upper districts OF the city. Unless properly
checked 1t will surely occasion ere long great de-
etruction OF property from the French Market to
the lower limits Of the city. The problem Is far
from being OF easy solution, and III further COM
plcated by the necessity OF not obstructng in
any way while applying remedy. the availability
che river front OF the city.
Many empirical measures will doubtless be
offered to the consideration Of the Council, who
cannot be too cautious in accepting them, for in
their action may depend not only the loss of
large sums OF money, but still greater increase
OF the evil complained Of.
TO properly control and direct the current OF
90 mighty q stream as the Mississippi is one Of
the most difficult problems which can be pre-.
csented to the hydraulic engineer, as is shown by
the important works now successfully progress
ing at the South Pass under the able manage
mont OF Messrs Eads and Andrews. And no
engineer, however intelligent and able, will ven-
ture to offer plan OF relief
WITHOUT PRECISE DATA
TO 20 upon. respectfully suggest, therefore,
that advantage should be taken at once OF the
present low stage Of the river to give an accurate
survey OF both its banks from the lower to the
the stream every half mile with accurate sound
ings and the directions Of the current. This sur
vey. by the by, should be repeated hereafter
shout
EVERY TWENTY YEARS,
and the maps thereof should be carefully kept in
the surveyors office to determine the changes
which may take place in the depth, width and
direction OF the river.
A soon as the first survey shall have been
completed, which ought to require only few
less than three nor more than FIVE members,
should be called together by the City Council to
determine the best and cheapest mode of pro.
tecting in permanent manner the endangered
bank of the river, their recommendation
to be carried out gradually, according to the
available means Of the city. Rest assured, my
dear sir that this 10 the most reliable, and in the
end the most economical, method of arriving at
the solution OF problem so vital to the inter-
ests Of large portion Of our community. II you
permit me would respectfully suggest, to en-
sure success, the names OF two OF the members
OF that board OF engineers: Gen. J. g. Barnard,
%. 8. Corps Of Engineers, now stationed at New
York. who is thoroughly acquainted with the
hydraulics Of the Mississippi. he having been |
stationed during many years previous to the late |
war In New Orleans; and Capt. j. B. Eads, whose |
name Is now too familiar to you to require favor
able mention from me.
remain, dear sir, yours, most truly,
G.. T. BEAUREGARD.
Hon. Ed. Pilsbury, Mayor Of the city Of New Or
leans, La.
The commission visited the Surveyors office
during the morning, and were shown the old
plans on record in the Office relating to the osci-
lations in the river bed along the course sought
70 be protected, and as well the plans to secure
the drainge protection levee at the New Lake
End, which they will visit this morning, in COM
pliance with the request Of the Mayor.