, 1897-04-06
Will TELL THE TALE.
GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA BE-
LlEvES THIS THE PEOPLES
SUPREME MOMENT.
They Are Urged to Every Effort for the
Protection of the Levees OF the Mis-
sissippi-Mass Meetings are Held
and Volunteer Forces ORGANIZED TO
Assist in the Work.

New Orleans, April 5.-This week tells
the tale. Recognizing this fact, Cover
nor Foster last night issued a procIama-
ton to the people. He calls attention to
the fact that the levee system. although
not yet entirely perfected, is the bull
wark Of the states salvation. Behind
them lies one of the most fertile sections
Of America.
Government and state aid has been ex-
tended and the future depends upon the
people. Trustd leaders are in charge OF
the work, and If the people help them
properly. despite the fact that the flood
apparently is the greatest ever known,
all or most OF the levees can be held, and
the future will be bright because the
system will be strengthened and com,
pleted; the country will have confidence
in Louisiana, her enterprise and her op,
p%ortunities.
The sentiment expressed took root be-
fore it was uttered, for all along the Mis-.
sissippi valley road between this city
and Baton Rouge mass meetings were
held and volunteer forces organized to
keep strict watch on the banks and to
labor day and night to strengthen them.
even where the danger is not apparent,
except in the rivers steady climb to the
top of the protecting ~earthworks. The
warning Of the weather bureau to aban>
1 DON tnp,os orI Saoly cpfotr In A{rht hao
been disregarded, and instead, men, wo-
men and children, white and black, are
piling on dirt and building revetments.
seemingly fascinated with the struggle
against the attacking monster. So far
there is not a break in the entire Louis
lana levee, not counting the tributary
Bayou La Fourche, where the levees
were known to be weak before the flood
came. Lumber and sacks are being dis
tributed everywhere; even nails are be-
ing shipped by the carload, and there
will be no lack of new work during the
week.
The only question is about the new
work ahead. In this, the weather has
been and Will continue TO be an import
ant factor; so have the levees been
drenched and softened almost daily and
high winds have made the blows out
stream more powerful.
Yesterdays sunshine raised the hopes
and quckened the work of the army o.
protection, and a few more days OF fair,
calm weather will see giant strides made
in raising the barriers against over
flows, the levee system has proven its
| value during the last weeks strain, but
the test will grow greater day by day,
and each days story will be he record
Of a crisis met with u patience, vigilance,
industry and .heroism worthy OF all
praise.
Last night by a curious coincidence
| General Manager Thorne of the Texas
and Pacific and General Agent Spellman
Of the Illinois Central, who is also presi-
dent of the Ponchantrain levee board,
spent the night almost opposite each
other, one at Lutcherd, the other in 81.
James, distributing material to the
planters who say that If they are given
supplies they will furnish the labor and
hold the line. From this time Of the
leaders in the various works will see lit
tie Of New Orleans, giving every moment
night and day to the supervision OF the
efforts in which all are SO vitality inter-
ested.