Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-02-21
Letter from Our Representative.
New ORLEANS, LA, Feb. 10th, 1850.
EDiroR BEACON,
noor Cir.

New ORLEANS, LA, Feb. 10th, 1881. I
EDiroR BEACON,
Dear Sir:
just at this time article 2l3 OF the
constitution, which makes it manda-
tory upon the Legislature to establish
and maintain levee system through
out the State and limits the tax for
the same to one mill annually, is a
subject considerably agitated in both
houses, and particularly in the lower
house. The truth is when you digest
ana fully comrrhend the article, it is
mandatory as to establishment of the
levee system. but optional as to the
amount of the tax to be imposed. for
it may be as much as one mill or it
NAV be less, as the Judgment of the
Legislature would be disposed to
make it. In my opinion now, it is a
forgone conclusion as to the amount,
for believe the Limit one mill will be
reached in bill that will be enacted
by both houses though there is none
before either at this time, unless it is
incidentally in Capt. Farmers reve-
nue. bill. which from what | hear is
going to meet with a good deal Of OPP
position.
What interests me now, and GER
tainly all nv constituents as we'll as
the whole surrounding country. is if
there should be a bill establishing this
Ieveo system and imposing this one
mill tax pass both houses, thereby
divertiug that much from the school
tax and general fund, should W not
at once go about establishing q 'evee
district, composed of the Parishes Of
West Carroll, Morehouse, Ouachita,
Richland, Franklin, Catahoula &c 4,
and come in for our prorata of the
fund derived from the tax and appro-
plate it to our immediate interests.
Ever one l imagine wouldsay, yes.
And in this connection | have looked
around to see where the means could
be most judiciously expended. My
mind was ut once directed to Opossum
Fork lcvce, which was built before the
war Out not quite high enough); but
now in somewhat diIapidated cOndi-
ton, but not so bad as bad been led
to believe, for Col. Sappington. who
lives near there. tells me great por-
ton of the levee is in good repair and
it only needs closing deep gap. at
what is known as Boggy Bayou
about one hundred yards wide, and
the raising of the levee about four
miles from one 10 two feet, which be
assures me can be done at a cost no,
exceeding twenty thousand dollars
: Now every oue knows our prorata o
the one mill tax would not accomplish
this work for some time, and wOu!C
be money lost or thrown away.
Now, in this connection, will quote
: the next article (2l4) Of the constitu
ton, which says tine General Assem-
, bly, may divide the State into leve'
. districts and provide for the appoint
, ment or election of levee commission
, ers in said districts, who shall in tn
t method and manner to be provided b,
2 law, have supervision of the erection
6 repairs and maintenance Of the levee
5 10 said districts; to effect this it ma,
D levy a tax not to exceed five mills O.
y the taxable property situated With
D the aluvial portions Of said district
D subject to overflow"
c Now should the General Assembl
{ 10 its macy efforts at legislation, a
), tempt to enact law putting in fore
r this article of the Constitution "wha
e am /, together with the members {
that section of the country to do
Sustain it or oppose ii? 1t is tru
this article Of the constitution is nc
mandatory. for the word may is use'
and used in connection with the ia
to be imposed which limits it to fv
" mills. From a hurried calculation
have made, | believe two mills ia
!, imposed by the commission (for oil
- :, year only aud our prorata Of II
one mill tax will accomplish the VOL
. and make the Beuf and Macon coul
" try high and dry and free from owe