The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-01-11
THE NEW ORLEANS DEMOCRAT FRIDAY, JANUARY II, 1873

peEIOTUi6d us uuLie5, hAId uno e'ooo-N~f
great deal with the limited means through
which 1t had to operate The levees contracoeu
for and In process Of construction, ana WHICH
have been judiciously and equitabty located
aggregate 1,030, 900 yards, at cost OF SZ4z,ooo,
averaging less than 2224 cents per yard, anu
ranging from 1914 to 20 cents per cubic yaro.
The basis assumed in estimating the amount
of money authorized to be expended, was
three-fifths of the three mill tax on an assess
ment of $17O,0O0,O0O, with deduction OF
40 per cent for delinquencies and expenses
of collection, giving the sum Of $244, 300
as available.
The contracts for these levees were based
on warrants to be drawn against the above
mentioned tax assessed in 1877 and collectlble
in 1878. It is ascertained that the assess
ment assumed in making the estimates was
too small and that the real assessment will
probably be between $l76,0O0,00o and
$3.50, O00, 900.
The report Of the board is submitted here
with, and attention as specially called to its
application made on page thereof that the
Legislature devote to levee purposes in 1878
the sum Of S21 900 referred to.
The board estimates that 1,475,000 cubic
yards will have to be built in 1878 to maintain
the levees of the State in thorough order at
present grade
This does not contemplate the closing OF
the large crevasses at Ashton, Diamond
Island Bend, Glasscock's, Morganza, Bonnet
Care and other points, nor does it look to
the retaining Of new or abandoned lands or
to extending any interests-it has reference
to what is strictly necessary for the protec-
ton of industry and capital now engaged
in farming.
This work Is proposed to be distributed as
follows: Cublc 1ards'
Required on the Mississippi river ooo
On t tbe Ms sh below Red river 100000
On tributaries and outlets . 225, 900
Total ATE, 900
1t must be borne In mind that the means
which have to be applied to the work of 1877
are the taxes colectible In 1878, and that they
have been nearly exhausted.
The propriety of, and urgency for, the pro-
lection of the alluvial lands of the Mississippi
by the general ernment is 80 manifest as
to require no argument; but until 1t assumes
the responsibility which rightfully rests on
Ii, which trust will be at no distant day, 1t
devolves upon the State to provide ways and
means for affording the protection needed.
What to do, Is q difficult problem. The
division Of the alluvial region into levee dis
tricts, and the application therein OF tax on
the productions Of the protected lands, is one
Of the means suggested. This plan Is said 70
have been successfully applied in Mississippi.
Another mode suggested, is the organization
Of the Penitentiary convicts, so that their
labor may be applied to levee building.
An estimate of the probable annual cost OF
such system will be found in the report of
the Board of Engineers. An obstacle to the
adoption of this system at present is the ex-
istence of contract in reference to this labor,
which would have to be first set aside.
The convict force Is also engaged at present
i'm the construction of the New Orleans and
Pacific railroad, the importance of which to
this State can scarcely be over-estmated
A third plan Is q continuation OF the present
system of general taxation The difficulty
which stands in the way of the latter for the
coming year is the constitutional restriction
upon the extent of taxation, and the forced ap-
plication of the revenues to the expenses Of
the year in which they were collected, coupled
with the fact that the levee taxes to be col
lected in 1873 have been already almost entire
ly applied to the works now in process OF con-
struction.
PUBLIC LANDS.
The report of the Register OF the Land
Office has been handed to me. but is still In
the hands Of the printer.
The only suggestions that I have to make
for the present In reference to this office, is
that before land patent reaches the Cover
nor for his signature, it shall be counter
signed by at least two officers, who shall
serve as checks upon each other and vouch
for the compliance of the conditions precedent
upon which the patent is authorized to be is-
sued The form of the patent at present used
is defective and should be altered.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Your attention is directed to the question
of the repairs OF the State-House in New Or
leans, to the insurance Of the same, and par
ticularly to the selection OF some centra
authority controlling that building and the
distribution of the rooms No one knows
precisely who has authority to act or to what
extent that auth ority exists, and there is a
divided responsibility in regard to the build
ing. which should be put an end to.
A proposition has been made by the Mechan-
les Association In regard to the Mechanics
Institute. That proposition will be submit
ted to you or to any committee whom you
will charge with the examination OF the rela-
lions Of the State to that association.
The Supreme Court building being used for
State purposes, the costs OF repairs to the
same should be shared with the city; not to
an extent, however. of over S2500.
PRINTING BOARD.
In pursuance of the laws regulating the
public printing, two contracts have been en-
tered into with Mr.. Geo. w. Dupre for this
work. I am informed by him that the whole
expense for printing, as also for furnishing the
offices of the Auditor and the Secretary OF
State with necessary books, blanks and sta
tionery, will not exceed $4,000 have to call
your attention to the fact that you Will have
T. 4ton Drfy RI