The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-05-19
Communlcated.l
is III TRUE7

sequence Of the rapid caying of the
river bank, and the erection OF new
levee In the rear Of The chief portion
ofihe existing town.
Is the danger of caving really I'M
mineDt? Do the citizens manifest
any uneasiness about it? Is IT not a.
fact that the owners Of the best prop
erty In the present town are constant-l
ly expanding money in improving and
keeping in thorough repair their beau
tiful homes? Is il not fact that the
gentlemen most interested in the re-
moval of the present town site, are
Identifying and rendering more at
tractiye and desirable their own pala-
tial compared with other) residences,
which are subject to the same danger
of being leveed out, should new line
be established? Do they not thus
teach by example that they anticipate
no change on the front?
These frequent intinations occurring
in your paper have had the effect Of
unsettling the minds of the smaller
holders OF property in town, and it
certainly operates to the detriment Of
owners generally, in that il seriously
affects values, as local newspaper Is
supposed to represent the true and
best interests of the community in.
which it is published.
Now if there is any foundation for
the apprehension Of the present town
caving into the river at any early day.,
is it not the extreme of foolishness
to continue the lavish expenditure of
money in repairing bitches, sidewalks,
etc., even in the maintainauce of the
present city government, the officials
of which are receiving exorbitant
salaries for the duties TO be per-
formed? Buying new lumber to re-
pair the (canaD bitches, to renew the
numerous bridges, for sidewalks, ETC,
would appear to be an injustice to the
overwhelmed taxpayers if the town
is so soon to be abandoned. AS these
aspersions towards the present town
have evidently bad the effect of re-
ducing values, should the assessment
for the ensuing year not be CORES
pondingiy reduced
Some of cur more antiquated citi-l
zens who have been familiar with tho
freaks of the Mississippi river quar-
ter of century, do not shave the ap-
prchension of the loss ofthe town by
caving, Gas there has been no material
change during that time) that a (smalD
few seem 10 exhibit. "Let us have
rest'' on that subject, as there are
enough disturbing elements in our
poverty, without the anticipation of
other improbable evils.
il. DAVIS.
AS DR.. Davis in the foregoing COM
munication had especially in view
Mayor Hamley, the halloween of the
New Providence, we asked during this
week Mayor Hamley what he might
have to answer to the personal points
referred to by DR.. Davis, and be simp-
ly handed us the following letter:
THE MISS. RIVER CONFESSION,
Presidents Offices,
New York. March /. 1894.
Hon. e. j. Hamley. Mayor, Lake Provi-
dence, La:
Dear Sir-The caving in the bend in front
OF Elton levee has. in the last eleven years,
extended over about four miles in length,
the depth OF caying at some places being
about half mile.
caving would be about sl50,000 per mile,
and TO expend any small amount here
would be TO waste money.
The Mississippi River Commission has.
at various times, had this place under con-
sideration, and has not felt justified in I'M
dertaking the protection OF this cavtng
bank. G. y. COMSTOCK.
Col. of Engr's.. Byt Brig. Gen. U. s. A.
Pres. Miss. River Com.
Mayor Hamiey, in turning this
document over to US, told us that ii
was addressed to him in his official
capacity as Mayor Of Providence, and
received by BIN over two months ago,
but that be had refrained from making
it public in the hope that. though
General Comslock was personally
opposed to the revetment ofthe Elton
lcvee, our citizens might try to bring
to bear the combined influences of
both our Senators and Congressman
on the other members of the RIVER
Commission, and thus might persuade
them, and perhaps General Comstock
himself, to undertake the work.
These sentiments of Mayor Hamley
deserve irdeed a high appreciation on
the part of the property owners in
Providence. AS halloween Of the
New Providence, he might have used
this document for all it is worth, and
prevailed on good many of our citizens
to buy lots from him in case the town
should have to be moved. but he pre-
ferred to sacrifice personal interest
rather than to alarm cur people.
AS far as the policy of the Banner
Democrat is concerned. we would
kindly remind DR.. Davis that it is
watching keenly public interest, aud
though it has never said that alhe town
will have to be novel; it says now
most emphatically that if it has to be
moved, it will be moved not South
where the Doctor would like it, but
in vesfern direction where liea now