The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1882-07-29
Cubic yards.

-. .
This amount of earthwork can not now be
estimated to cost less than Sllo,ooo.
The above estimate does not include any
thing for closing the old Morganza or Grand
Levee crevasse, MOI contemplate the raising
or strengthening of present lines OF old
levees, or the building OF new leyees OF su-
perior height or more ample proportions
than the average'of those heretofore built
and now existing. 1t does, However, in our |
Judgment, exclusively show that the full |
limit of tax permitted by law will be in- |
sufficient for all the needs OF the district, |
and that the levy Of any less rate would DC
to invite repetition OF the damage ana
distress your district has recently suffered.
We are not prepared to maintain that the
! disasters of the late food-season could have
| been altogether averted had the full limit OF
| taxation always been levied and collected
| since the formation of the district, tor 1T is
certain that q large part OF the nundatlon
| of the Fourth Levee District came from
overflow through crevasses outside its terri
tory.
We believe, however, it is not too much
| to assert that were the same interest and
willingness to contribute funds manifested
during seasons of low water that is every
where exhibited while the floods prevail, no
such calamitous misfortune as has lately
befallen the district need ever occur.
During the past three years-lS79, 1880
| and 1S3l-the taxes recommended by the
Board of State Engineers for the Fourth
Levee District, if levied and collected, would
have amounted to 1922 O39 80. In 1879, 10
mills was recommended and mills levied :;
in 1880, S mills was recommended and 81
mills levied-the aggregate of taxes levied
for the three years amounting, in all col)ec-
ted, to $lO7 ,433 Is.
The amount actually collected since the
organization of the district up to July of
this wear was, according to the published
report of the joint committee to examine the
hooks and accounts of the Auditor and
i Treasurer $SS, 1893 81, showing delinquencies
t and expenses Of collection, amounting to
S1S, 53l SO. Contracts have been made or
expenses incurred pay able out OF the Fourth
L District levee funds coliectable in 1879, 1886
and 1881, amounting in aggregate to say
$50, es5 3d. Of the amount $76472 40 has
r been already paid, upon certificates from
= the State Engineer, and las shown in the
appended statement) the balance, say $45l.
t 81, is either not yet earned, or Is retained
under terms OF contracts till their final com
plction.
g Of the amount certified as above stated
!, S7375l 80 is for work done under contract
: made in pursuance of Section OF Act No
IL SO Of 1879, and the balance (s2720 50) is 10
a payment of expenses ordered by the Cover
nor, under Section Is Of Act No. 50 Of 1880.
.. The assessed valuation of the district OF
d the rolls Of 1881 was Sill 1864, 9o4, an amour
which seems likely to be reduced by tn
'e operation OF Act No. So, session OF 1882.
e A five mills tax on this amount, ate
making suitable deductions for delinquen
cies and expenses Of assessment and collee
10 ton, (say Is per cent? should produce
revenue of about 44,s6S 80; add to thi
" sum say $25, 600 of the general engineer fun
l. (which with the possible reduction of tn
20 valuation of the State and the apportio1
~ ment of part Of this fund to the interic
sub-districts, under Act No. IS, session I
1882, is all that now appears available fe
the Fourth District, and we have for til
work required, say s69s6s 80; that is on!
I'd about so per cent. Of the amount required
r the district, as above estimated-from whic
!, it must result that the work must be great
III reduced in quantity, or a part Of it omitte
altogether or that the funds therefor mu: