The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1892-08-13
HE is AGAINST LEVEES.

Editor Banner-Democrat IL hope you
Will continue to prod our Engineers until
they will enlighten people as to the best
means of protection. We have tried levees
until It'll useless to try them longer, or
make up our minds to risk our lives and in
terests behind embankments as promida-
bic in heighth and as treacherous in con-
struction as that which wrought such terri
BILE destruction at Johnstown 10 1850 and we
may be called upon to record such disas-
ter here as that was.
That levees, '.per se,n are stupendeous
ignominious and costly failures, 1 do not
think any one will deny. Then is there not
board to suggest some means in connection
with the levees to accomplish the object
on which so much money has been wasted.
If they know ONO other means than what
they are now fruitlessly using, would it
not be in good taste for them to resign
their places and give way to those who are
willing to adopt some other plan? Are
they so welded to system that requires
nothing but muscle to pile up dirt, that
they are willing to bankrupt the country
rather than give up their easy places
There certainly is genius enough and
muscle enough in the country to pile
up dirt at the proper time and at the proper
place. without the aid of the Board of En-
gineers, or the Board of Levee Commits
sioners-two costly bodies-who are
simply enjoying sinecures of no value to
the people. Let them resign their places
and place the whole matter in the hands of
the people, and my word tor it. they will
soon work out their own salvation. When
science attempts to run counter to common
sense. science will go down and common
sense will prevail.
During the high water of last year a
very prominent and intelligent gentleman
of New Orleans, well known advocate of
the levee and jetty system, landed here,
and his first remark was, "Gentlemen am
firmly persuaded now after close obser-
walton of the river from New Orleans that
the building tho jetties and the closing of
the ontlers is rapidly running the country.
and if persisted in will complete it's ruIn.v
The reply was. ave know it and every one
knows it. But the Engineers, we are in
their hands and can do nothing for our own
protection but pile up dirt as long as there
is any within reach.v
1t is to be hoped that the sugar interest
which has been so seriously injured this
season flor the FIRST tlme). will use their in
fiuence to secure change of work. the
adoption of new system, something with
some show of success, their interest are
great, their country the most beautiful on
earth, and unless they move at once in this
matter, will be before many years but lit
tie better than bowling wilderness.
How can we hope for emigration when
we cant offer protection? How can we cul-
tiyate our lands and pay our taxes when
we can't offer protection to the laborer?
What is to prevent this country reverting
to state OF nature if the present system of
piling up dirt to keep out the water is per-
sisted in. Ihope sir, you will keep up your
articles on the subject until the press gem
orally takes it up and the people be made
to see that they have no security under the
levee system alone. SUFFERER.