The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-02-20

Mr.. Fitzpatrick replied that such had
not keen his intention. because he
thought that every member on the floor
was sufficiently acquainted with the
Lottery Company to vote on this bill.
However, since objections were offered,
the Committee on Judiciary, with
Instructions to make q report soon. So
ordered.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
Mr.. Washburne, OF Morehouse, Chair
Levees, made lengthy report ON the
subject Of the levees. and at the same
time introduced bill ''to annul the
contract OF the State with the Louisiana
Levee Company to construct and keep
in repair the levees of the State"
The bill was referred to the Judiciary
Committee.
The bill provides
Section /. That acts Nos. 4 and az
OF 1871, 43 OF 1873, and all acts relating
to or recognizing the contract for build
ing and maintaining the levees Of the
State of Louisiana, between the State
on the goth day OF February, 1871, be,
and they are hereby repealed and the
contract annulled.
Sec. q. That the Governor appoint
a truly and competent person, who, to-
gether with the Auditor and the Attor-
ney General, shall constitute a board
of liquidation on the part OF the State.
The said Levee Company shall also APP
point three persons to act in their
behalf; the sixth to chose seventh
person In case OF disagreement; or, Ii
they cannot agree on a seventh person,
the dispute to be referred to a compe-
tent court.
Section 8 refers to the rules governing
arbitrations generally.
Section 4 prescribes the duties OF the
Board OF Arbitrators: to examine care
fully the accounts of the Levee Compa-
my; to ascertain the amount OF indebt-
edness, and to file an account In the
Office OF the State Auditor.
Section 5--That the Auditor shall then
Issue to said company warrants on the
Treasurer for the sum OF four hundred
thousand dollars out Of the levee con-
In the year 1877, and warrants for
the sum OF two hundred thousand
dollars, to be paid out of the same
fund, collectible In 1878, and for
| the remainder OF the Indebtedness
OF the State to the company the COM
pany shall be allowed to issue their
bends, secured and to be paid by the
State in the manner and under the
same privileges and restrictions as are
now authorized to the said company
under the present contract. For the
payment OF these bonds the Auditor Of
Public Accounts shall annually set
aside twenty per cent. OF the levee con-
struction and repair tax, commencing
with the taxes collected in the year
| 1879, which fund shall be devoted to
paying the interest on the said bonds
and to provide sinking fund for the
extinguishment .ef the principal at as
early a day as practicable.
| Section 6. That the Board Of Arbitra-
| ton shall also examine the books and
accounts OF the State Auditor and State
Treasurer for the time during which the
contract with the said Levee Company
has been running, to ascertain how
much, il any, OF the levee fund collected
proper use, and II the said board deem
best, they shall direct the Attorney
General to institute such legal proceed
| ings as the case may demand.
Section 7, appropriates the sum OF
$500 to defray the expense on the part
OF the State Of the said Board Of Arbi-
tration.
| Section provides that the act shall
take effect from and after it's passage,
when the Governor shall have the provi-
sions thereof carried into effect at the
earliest day practicable.
Mr.. Washburne also gave notice OF q
| bill ito protect the lands OF this State
against overflow"
The Senate entered the House, and
the General Assembly met in joint ses-
sion and proceeded to ballot for a
| United States Senator, with the follow
/ ing result.