The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-10-18
THE REvETM ENT LEvEE,

The matter Of the repairing OF the protection
evee ut the Lake was still at q deadlock yester
dAy. The gentleman from Holland did not pu
in an appearance, but Mr.. Conway, the loves
bidder for the work to be done, waited on tht
Mayor to inform him that in the expectation tina
his bid would be accepted, judging from tn.
opinions expressed by several Administrators
prior to the Council meeting on Tuesday, he hai
| actually dispatched gang Of men up the Jackson
Railroad to cut the necessary cypress timber
for the breakwater that he he'd taken this step il
order that he might begin the work as soon al
possible, because every heavy wind that might
occur on the lake before the breakwaker could
be constructed would prove damaging to the
levee, and in proportion entail greater expense
| upon him for filling up the washings. The Mayor
replied, as matter Of course, that MIR. Conway
had taken the risk and could not blame the Adj.
ministration in any manner. He advised Mr.
Conway, however, to visit the members of the
city administration and see what their wishes
were In the matter. adding that il they were
ready to act upon the bids he would convoke the
Council in extra session for that purpose.
After the interview we ascertained that the OBJ
lection to action on the bids emanated from one
or more Of the Administrators, who thought that
the City Railroad Company should pay one-half
OF the cost Of the repairs, the company being, in
their opinion, so directly interested in the preser-
vation Of the levee that it was just and equitable
that they should share the expense.
We met, subsequently, President Wintz, of the
railroad COMPANY. and interviewed him on the
subject. Mr.. Wintz, to our questions, answered
that he could not see upon what grounds of
equity the city could ask his company to share in
the expense of q work Of public improvement
which had cost the city sum of money various
ly estimated at from 100000 to 100000.
That he had done all that could be expected
from him in promising to advance the cash for
tLe payment OF the contract. which was in itself
great saving to the city, and besides he believed
that If MIR. COnwaV'a hid low III dun tn
the fact that when that gentleman called upon
him before rendering his bid to the city he had
informed Mr.. Conway that, should his bid be
reasonable, he Mr.. Wintz) would afford all the
facilities to the contractor that could be afforded
in the way OF transportation by the Canal Street
and Lake Railroad.
We understand that Administrators McCAffrey
and Cavanac, and one or two other members of
the Council, believe that the matter should suf-
fer no delay lest the entire projection levee,
the swamp lands between the Metairie Ridge
and the lake and remove the cause OF malaria,
shall be swept away. 1t is possible that some
action will be taken to-day by the city admins
tration that will settle the question definitely.
The levee was freely discussed yesterday at the
City Hall, and the general opinion was that it
should be repaired whether or not the railroad
company shared in the expense.
We are informed by the Mayor that, acting
upon the reference of the matter to him, with
full power to act, by the City Council, he will i'm.
mediately address q communication to the au-
thorities at Washington on the subject of the
means to be adopted to provide against the en-
croachments Of the Mississippi river upon our
city front, as suggested in the letter Of Gen.
Beauregard, published few days ago in the
DEMOCRAT, TO ask that COMM sion of the most
United States engineers shall be
appointed for the purpose of devising plan to
secure the city from the dangers of the shifting
currents Of the Mississippi.