The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1889-04-13
A LAW UNTO THEMSELVES.

We quote the following from the
report of the Grand Jury Of East
Carroll Parish. at the last session of
the District Court:
1--WE had large number ofcases pre-.
sented to us against persons for riding
and diving on the public levees, and
n.ne-tenths of said cases were against
our most ignorant citizens: many OF
whom, we are sa tisfied, did not know
of the existence of this law until arres-
ted by the levee guard. For this rea-
son and for the further reason, that the
public roads of the parish are impassa-
bic in many places, and because the
Police Jury OF the parish has been so
remiss in the matter of fixing our loads
We haye pot indicted any person for
breaking the levee law,
We respectfully call the attention OF
our Hon. Police Jury to the present
bad con ditiOn Of our roads; many of
which are imp assable after ev cry big
rain, and urge upon them the import
ance of ction therein as soon as posi-
ble."
The law making riding, driving or
hauling on the public levees reads as
follows:
No. 1OS-AN ACT.
To make riding, driving or hauling
on the public levces of this state, a
misdemeanOr, to prescribe penal
ties for the same, to repeal all laws
yOrparts of laws in conflict with this
act aud to give it effect from and af-
ter its promulea alton.
SECTION l. BE it enacted by the Cen
eral Assembly of the State of Louis
Jana, That any person who shall ride
drive or haul on any public levee in
this State shall be guilty of misde-
meanor, and on conviction thereof
before any court of competent juris-
diction, shall be punished by impris-
Onment without hard labor for term
not exceeding fifty (5O) dollars, or
both, at the discretion Of the court !;
provided that this act shall not be
construed to apply to the proper Of
fcers of the state, or of any levee Dis
trist or parish while in the perform
ance of duty. in inspecting, guarding
or repairing said levees.
Sec.2 Be it further enacted ETC.,
That all laws and parts of laws con-
trary to or in conflict with the pro-
visions of this act be
and the same are hereby repealed,
and that this act shall take effect trou
and after its promulgatiOn.
s. Z. HENRY,
Speaker of the House of Representa-
tivcs. JAMES JEFFRIES,
Lieut.. Coy. and President Of the Sem
ate. FRANCIS Il. NICHOLAS,
Governor of the State of Louisiana.
1t was thought that the passage of
this act would fill long felt wan as
it Is sn ADMITTED fact that many
crevasses in the levees have been
caused by injury to the embankment
from travel, and that thousands of
dollars have been expended in put
ting up to proper grade levees that
have boon worn down by travel and
hauling.
Regarding the maintenance end
profession of the levees i'm this Dis
trict as Of vital Importance, and TO
secure enforcement of this eminently
wise law, the 5th La. Levee Board in
December last appointed a levee
Guard for each Of the several Perish
es of this District, and among the
duties prescribed for them was the
important one of reporting to proper
officers all violators of act lOs-A very
efficient man was selected in Carroll
parish who well performed his duties.
lie reported to the authorities over
sixty persons, many Of whom persist
emily disregsrded the law, and by his
prompt action had begun to secure
respect for the law. Now comes the
East Carroll Grand Jury-seemingly
fnrgctfui of their oaths to present
ignoring the impor tai CO. o. IN effect.
. There is a law against riding, araS'
inc and hsuling on the public ,ra,sn ,ssft ,c
m ,H for breaking it. and the eyi ,,t ,S'
sssads are 60 bad we didn't ind'c' any