The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1877-03-03
RayOu LafOurche.

Dill lutt IhCO ~
Mr.. Darrali on the subject OF clo-
sing Bayou Lafourche
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives, of the United States
of America i'll Congress assembled, Il
]. That the State of Louisiana be, and
is, authorized to close the mou'h
bayou Lafourche in said State, where
opens into the Mississippi river. by
building dikes and work ofimprovement
provided that said works are completed
with such locks and facilities as not to
Interfere with the free navigation OF the
said bayou.
2. That this act shall take effect from
and after its passage.
Upon the reception of the in
formation of the presentation OF
the above ACT by the Representa-
tive of this Congressional Dis
trict, the SENTINEL Immediately
denounced the action of said
Representative and, following its
lead, every newspaper i'll the
State, at least along the river,
opened their batteries upon the
proposed scheme.
It was believed to be the mi
tial step of some plundering ring,
in search of new fields upon
which to pillage and riot, that
could he found and secured by
closing this stream, and then by
securing some railroad or canal
monopoly, to which the planters
ofthis portion of the Stauo would
be compelled TO pay tribute for all
time to come.
The Editor of this paper called
upon one of the prominent Re-
publicans of this parish, hereto
fore approving this project, and
inquired of him what Mr.. Darrall
meant by this changing front on
this Latourche matter. The an
swer was coldly given that "Mes-
Sers Gibson and Ellis favored
the plan," and by his actions
satisfying the qnestioner that he
was to be one of the favored few,
provided success was had.
A letter was written to Mr..
Gibson, who promptly denounced
the scheme. This letter appeared
in the SENTINEL some weeks
since. A letter from MI. Ellis to
a prominent planter in this vici-
nifty, states positively that there
is some infamous ring of plnndeI
connected with it, and announ>
ces his energetic opposition to
the scheme.
In last weeks DonaldsOnUiM
Chief, the following article ap
pears containing a letter of expla.
nation from Mr.. Darrall.
Gentlemea-I am in receipt of the reso
%lntions of the Police Jury of Laiourcht
passed by you OH Dec. 2i. 1876, in re-
gard to closing the mouth of the Bay0r
Lafourche.
l enclose the bill introduced by me in
Congress to authorize the STATE to clos.
the bayou. / introduced this bill partly
owing to the request of citizens Of tht
lower part of the bayou, bnt more espe
ciallY to call attention TO the TACT, now
fully recognized by the State Engineers
that they have nc right to close thu
bayOn unless authorized to do so by ac'
of Congress.
Some years ago q survey was made by
U. S. Engineers of the LafOurche at it,
upper end and month, with q view o
connecting it by a canal from Napoleon
vile with the waters of the Atchafalaya
The officers making that survey recon-
mended the closure of the mouth of til,
bayou and the building ofsuitable lock:
so as not to interfere in any way will
navigation. and reported such a plan
entirely practicable. The State Engi
neers, as you are probably aware. hav,
also recommended that the mouth b,
closed by building q dyke the same a
was done during the war at the moutl
Of the Bayou Plaqnemine. This wouls
ruin the whole Lafonrche country. | d,
not intend to press my bill, but leav,
the question open in the way it is, until
the whole matter can be more fully col
sltlered. Of course no action will now b,
taken by the State Engineers. ant
shonld the work be done at any futur,
time it must be by sanction of Congress
and with restrictions as to locks, etc.
hope to have an appropriation mad
this session for removal of obstruction
III the lower portion of your bayou. as
thlnk that IA very necessary work
which would no doubt prevent the fire.
9uent crevasses you are subject to, from
the Crossing down
Very respectfully. etc,
C: B. DARRALL.
This throws some new light upon tn
subject, and leaves no doubt that on
Congressman is fully alive to the inter
ests of his constituents and the pros an,
cons OF the Bayou Lafourche question
We trust his anticipation e.ative to a,
appropriation for dredging the bayo,
will not be disappointed. ti,ouoh W
doubt if the matter can be pressed tn
successful issue in the present unsettle,
state of political affairs. Ho v Mr.
Darral and his colleagues of the Louisi
ana delegation in Congress owe it T.
tue people to use their best efforts i,
!, oeila'f OF a worlS of snch Importance t.
the general welfare aud prosperity.
That there may be a few citi.
zens on the lower part Of thi;
Bayou. who may imagine that i