The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1885-10-03
SATURDAY, OCT. 3, 1885.
The Drainage Of Our Swamps.

more, of The ThibOdaux SENTINEL.
worked out and advocated a cheap aud
efficient plan to effect tho drainage of
the low lands OF Lafoulche parish.
This plan divided both banks OF the
Lafourche intodrainage districts. based
on the Typographical situation of each.
and to provide tho necessary means to
accomplish the contemplated improve
ments an annual. tax of two and Il half
mills was to he assessed on the proper
ty Of each district. to be used ty com
missioners in that particular district
for opening the natural drains found
thereiL. The Police Jury approved
this plan and enacted il law to carry it
out.
1t required two or three years to col
lect funds enough to opera
lions. and recently the commissioners
have been improving the main drains
through which the swamp water lying
in the angle formed Ivy the Mississippi
and Bayou Latolrche fluids it's way 10
the Gulf.
This plan was made known to the
Pioneer when first started and was com
mended AZ one which could be prodnc
tive of good results in onr parish, but
with the understanding that as the east
bank of our bayou could only he drain
ed when the lower portion "fthe drains
had been opened, it would be prudent
to wait and watch the operation and
efficiency of the law in Lafourche.
This has been done, and We state
with confidence that the result of open
ing the lower portion of the drains has
had a good effect and causes the
swamps on the last named side to drain
with a perceptible rapidity in compari
SOL with former years.
In fact there can no longer be any
doubt Of the practicability of this sys
TEN of drainage. and it rests with our
Police Jury to take the initiative to eff
feet a great public improvement.
The east bank might properly con
stitute u district, for its drainage is
dependant on the opening of a canal to
connect the water of G rand Bayou with
a large stream known by different
names) which empties into Lac DIES A!
demands. A line of levels was run in
1857 or SO by the Surveyors of the
State, a copy Of which We have, and
some work was done under contract to
cut a canal to assist in the drainage of
the basin.
On the west bank three districts
might be made, one above Nap leon
Vile and the others below it. Above
it. the cleaning of Bayou St. Vincent
would greatly assist the drainage of a
large body of valuable land, and above
that poiut there may be other bayous
on which work might be advantageous.
Below Napoleonv vile, there are several
large bayous which formerly served to
conduct the water from the front to
lakes in the rear. and which are now
filled with logs and other debris.
The tax would not be onerons, and
would operate equally on the tax pay
ers; in a few years a great deal of good
would be. accomplished, and although
the operation Of the law would he slow
yet it would be sure, and an immense
area of land, valuable for it's fine CIV
press and ash, would become uccessi
BILE.
If We wish to realize the advanta
ges held forth we cannot begin too soon,
and the redeemed land will be worth
ten times the money expended for it's
drainage. In a few years (if the time
is not already at handy cypress lumber
will greatly increase in value, and if we
begin in time We shall be able to rea
lie . great deal of money from swamps
Astounding in the most magnificent tim
Der, which ut present are not worth the
taxes.
Virtue in the Family.
There are all sorts and degrees Of
virtue. and sometimes We are told
that virtue is it's own reward. MIR,
A r Evans nj RurrfS Ferry To