Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-01-03
Our Engineers and their Work.


power in Louisiana, there is perhaps
no more gratifying item in the inven-
tory than that which contains the
record Of the labors and achievements
of our Engineer Department. From
time to time the Democrat has called
attention to this subject aud erdeav-
ored to keep before the people the all
mirstle aud economical management
of the peoples money in this most
important branch Of government.
We have shown that although the
Nichols administration came into
Office at a time when the levees were
probably at their worst-when the
Wholesale devastation of the great
flood of 1874 bad been added TO by
the very high water Of 1915 and again
of lS76-al,hough the Democratic
government was compelled to APP
proach problem Of this magnitude
and difficulty with greatly diminished
means, the result has been really as.
tunisbiDg. After less than three years
we find ourselves with our ievee sys-
TEN practically complete. The Nor
ganza levee has not been rebuilt, but
only because the commissioners OF the
district requested that it should be
! lett untouched. The Bonnet Care
crevasse still remains, and this is TO
be regretted, though its effect upon
planting interests is practically inap-
preciable but otherwise the entire
levee system has been reLabiiitated
aud is now on better aud mole per-
manent basis than il has been for very
many years. Tho only quarter in
which we are threatened under any
ordinary circums' ances is through the
crevasses 10 the southeastern corner
Of Arkansas, where the levees are still
down aud where there is no protection
against high water. A flood entering
through these breaks would find its
way into the Macon aud subsequently.
if Of very great volume, into the Teu-
sas, and thus overflow one of the lar
gest aud most valuable cotton districts
in the South. This, however, cannot
be guarded against by any levee build
ing south of the Arkansas line, and
must be provided for by adopting the
bill to create the interstate levee dis
,rict as heretofore explained in these
columns. Apart from this contingent
CIV, the slluvial lands Of the MISSISSIPPI
pi valley within the boundaries of
Louisiana are reasonably safe from
danger of inundation, and upon this
showing the people are to be cordially
congratulated.
Viewed in any light, however, the
situation is certainly creditable in o
high degree to the Chief Engineer,
Major b. NJ. Harrod, and to bis assis-
tsnts. Major Richardson and Hardee.
These gentlemen compose the Board
Of State Engineers, and i, is to their
professional skill, their executive tai
ent and their unremitting industry and
zeal, under the supervision of Gov.
Nichols, that the State is indebted for
the gratifying coDsummation. AS
they have labOred with diminished and
often inadequate means. SO have they
gone their ways modestly and without
ostentation or vaingloriousness. They
have been content to letiheir work speak
for them, and, while recognition thus Oh
tanned is often more tardy than that
which is extorted By solicitation, it is
unques,ionably the most honorable
and enduring. These gentlemen will
retire with the outgoing administra-
ton, aud it is unfortunate that Only
two Of them are eligible. under the
new constitution, for reappointment.
Major Harrod holds an important pos,
upon the Federal Mississippi River
Commission, in which, however, he
can continue his great services 10 the
people of Louisiana while serving the
nation at large. The new constitution
provides 10 article 1873 that no one
holding an Office Of trust Or
profit under the general government
or under any Of tie other States, or
under any foreign power. can at the
same time hold an eilire of trust vi
profit under the State of Louisiana.
This would of course dis1ualfy
Major HarrOJ so long as be retains
his Fedora! position, which we trust
may lie until the great work con,em.
plated by Congress shall have been
} triumphantly concluded. But the two
gentlemen who have been his cOad
tutors during the past two aud a hall
years still remain, aud we know Of nc
direction 10 which the incoming ad
miu:stratiOn could look for more CO
pable conduct of the public bushes:
or with stricler reference to the public
interests.