The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-02-21
THE LEyEE COMPANY.

We have read with much interest the
report Of the House Committee on
Lands and Levees In relation to the
affairs OF the Louisiana Levee Compa-
ny. We are glad to see that the com
m!ttee recommend the repeal OF the
charter OF this company. The DEMO
Graf some time since called the atten-
ton OF the Legislature to the necessity
OF such action. We presume there will
be little delay IN carrying out this
recommendation OF the report.
We are not prepared to discuss the
system for the protection Of our low
lands recommended by tho committee,
not having yet had time to investigate
Its merits. The members OF the commit
tee, however, are practical men and we
feel sure that their suggestions are based
on very correct information. One sug-
gestioa we most heartily indorse; that
is that In the present emergency the
penitentiary hands be put to this work.
It ID OF the first importance that our
sugar fields. which constitute 80 vast an
interest In the State, should BIO pro-
tected, and the judicious use Of the con-
victs on this work would cheaper and
facilitate 1t.
From the other portions OF the report
we must at least partially dissent. We
doubt II the people whs have paid the
levee tax, and who are interested In the
maintenance Of the levees. will concur
In the eulogy the report passes upon
the Levee Company. The report shows
that the company has received In cash
from, and accumulated In debt against,
the State, the sum OF s4,14l, 7s2 "a, and
yet 1t is a generally conceded fact that
the levees were never In more
deplorable condition. We are not dis
posed to do the Lsvee Company any In
justice; we have no hostility to 1t other
than we have to all the monopolies
which Radicalism has left as heritage
of misery to the State, and which 1t Is
about time we were beginning to attack
and pull down; but we desire that the
Legislature shall deal with 1t upon the
most rigid principles OF justice and law.
The bills suggested by the commit
tee as the conclusions OF their report,
we think, should be passed. The con-
tract with the company should be
annulled, and the Board OF Liquidation
should be appointed for the settlement
Of the claims OF the concern against the
State. The board will find, according
to the report, large debt In favor of
the company against the State. What
ever In strict justice Is due should be
allowed and paid. But 1t will be the
duty OF the Board OF Liquidation
to inquire and ascertain whether
or not the company has faith
fully complied with ali the
terms OF its contract; 1t may then
be proper for it to consider that the
large debt stands for levee building at
the enormous prices Of go cents and so
cents per cubic yard, when a fair con-
tract price Is from 2S cents to So cents.
It may be also proper for the board to
consider the fact that act No. 43, APP
proved March 6, 1873, releases the COM
pany from very important and neces-
sary responsibilities, and that there is
a grave question as to whether or not
that act ever really passed and became
law.
This whole matter. involving a debt
against the taxpayers OF Louisiana OF
nearly $4,000 900. demands the fullest
and most rigid inquiry by the Legisla-
ture before final action, that complete
justice may be done to the taxpayers
% we'll as "a tbs community.