The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1882-03-15
OFFICIAL.
PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL.

March Z, lse2.}
Pursuant to adjournment the Board
of Aldermen Of the City of Alexand.
ria, La, met in the Mayors Office,
this day at 4 o'clock P. N. There
were present:
Jac. Andrews, Jr., Mayor,
+. We'll,
| N. L. McGinnis,
| W. O. Dammon,
w. W. Wilmington, Jr.
Absentee. Mayer.
The minutes of last meeting were
approved.
On motion the following "Meuo.
riap' was ordered to be spread on
the minutes:
10 the Honorable the Speaker and 1Nem-
bers Of the House Of Representatives OF
the United States -
The Memorial of the Mayor and
Council Of the Town of Alexandria, in
the Parish of Rapides and State Of
Louisiana, on the behalf of the iDhabi-
tants thereof, respectfully prays leave
to supplement the petition heretofore
made for an appropriation Of public
moneys to protect the river front of
this Town, now under consideration of
one of the committees Of your Honor.
able Body.
The lnemorialists represent that Red
River is above its bank at this mo-
ment, and an inundstion OF this Town
and the country surrounding it is pre-.
vented only by temporary levee has.
tily thrown up. Formerly there was q
levee along the outer edge Of Front
street, and Front street extended to
the Bayou Rapides, and outside of the
levee there were some houses and con-
siderable ground. All Of the ground
and houses outside Of the levee have
been washed away save single house
with the ground on which it stands.
More than tbat-Front street above
Fish street, and more than half tho
squares above it, that were formerly
between Front and Second streets,
have caved in. The survey Of 1879, in
possession Of your committee, will
show what il left of these squares
Experience has demonstrated that the
bank of the River caves in after every
food. Upon the subsidence of tho wa
ter large masses Of earth are detached
and fall in. This will take place again
so sooD as the present food passes
away. The immediate front of such
portions of the upper squares as re-
main must be lost, and 90 large a part
Of Front street will cave a. to leave
but q passage, scarcely more than fifty
or sixty feet between the banquette
and the river bank. These losses are
now inevitable, but We cannot afford
to lose any more.
The encroachmentso of the river since
the Bailey dam was builded have been
more formidable and more rapid than
before, and unless tho river front is
protected after the present danger is
passed and before another food, the
abrasion of the bank viii be 90 great
as to destroy Front street 10 tho.
roughfare. Tho Bailey dam was con-
structed to save the United States feet
from capture or destruction. Admiral
Porter had taken his vessels above the
Falls in support of Gen. Banks army
in the Spring Of 1864. The river fell
and the feet was caught as in a trap.
Its loss was averted by building the
dam across the lower falls. That dam
saved the United States Navy from q |
disaster, but it has entailed great dis.
aster upon us.
The engineers report estimates for q |
revetment to protect our front, and
also for other works to improve the |
of Red River. We are so.
licitons that both shall be done. Both |
are needed. But we humbiy suggest
If the first is not done now, irrepara-
BILE loss will be sustained, and il either
is to be postponed, We pray it shall not
he chat work which most presses for
execution, and which alone
can protect our Town from the incur.
sions of the river, which never retires
carrying for booty large slices
If valuable lots. parts Of streets, and
sometimes houses.
Your memorialists pray an appro-
)riation of the sum estimated for the
protection of our river front, and tho
speedy execution of the work.
JAS. ANDREws, JR., Mayor,
E. We'll, 1st Ward,
n. L. MCGINN1s, Sd Ward,
w. o. Damon, 9TH Ward,
w. w. WELLINGTON, JR.,
Fifth Ward.