The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-06-15

must be apparent to the most obtuse
that nc man of responsibility will
| accept position on a board whicl,
| pays no salary TO its mem bers and
yet SUBJECTS his private fortune to
the contingencies that may arise on,
fof his wellintended efforts to serve
the public interests.
There is still another feature of
this case to which we did not advert
IN the discussion yesterday, but
which is sufficient to show the wide
ramlfications of the principle involv.
ed IN this case which will be passed
upon by the Mississippi court of last
resort. The Evergreen levee. over
which this litigation arose, is situat.
ed In the parish of Tpnsas, it ex.
tends seven miles along the river
and involves the handling of more
than 900, 900 cubic yards of earth.
1t was laid out by the United States
engineers, the plans were approved
by the Mississippi River Commits
sion and the work was done under
government supervision, the con.
tract involving an expenditure of
$25o,0o0. If the principle should
Obtain that the public officials who
authorize public work are to be held
personally responsible for damages
that may result to individuals as
result of such public work, and that
these public officials can, upon the
within of prejudice or malice, be
hauled before the courts of other
States and mulced in this uncere.
monious fashion, it is not difficult
to see how this will terminate. The
Mississippi River Commission, the
United States engineers, as we'll as
others occupying prominent posi-
tons, dare not come within the
jurisdiction of Mississippi courts, of |
the courts of other States where
men with petty grievances, such as
the one forming the basis of this
suit, may follow them " it'll service
of warrants commanding them to
answer for their official action IN
court and before jury to which
they may not only be entire strang-
ers, but where local prejudices and
petty jealousies may greatly preju-
dice their defense.
1t is not necessary to describe the
effect such principle would exert
upon future government effort under
such conditions. After infinite
labor and many years of waiting the
people of the valley have succeeded
in creating sediment throughout
the country in favor of liberal ap.
for the Improvement of
The great river, and for several years
many millions of dollars have been
spent by the government In levee
building along the Mississippi.
With the sentiment thus spreading,
t is not unreasonable 10 hope that
he day is not far distant when Con.
yress will see the necessity of pro.
riding for taking over the entire I
work of river Improvement and pro-
ection. With such a possibility in
'iew, is it possible that local preiu.
Ices and the chickering's betwe cen
,ersons and localities will be per.
nitted to interfere and destroy a
respect so benefcent? Is it sup l
'osed that the government will un.
ertake to send out engineers and
ommission to aid people who re- e
urn the favor by forcing its agents f
nd representatives into local courts, =
defend Themselves against claims y
Dr. personal damages inspired by
zeal jealousies and animosities?
bese are the questions which occur
} the observer in connection with
le high-handed decision recently
'ndered against Louisiana officials
Mississippi court of justice. If
le people of the valley are prepared
abandon all attempts at levee i'm. =
'ovement, if they are willing to
rego the efficient aid of the gov
ument in their efforts to redeem ,
I'd protect their magnificent heri- v
ge. then they may sit supinely by
bile the process of rendering this 4
suit inevitable is being vigorously =
tempted. If they are not prepared
accept a result SO calam itous, it at
hooves them to take such action st
will ensure the ablest presentation at
their side of the case before the
urt. The issue involved is one in tn
nich the entire valley is vitality
ncerned, and for this reason the -
'ongest support should be given to
ose defending principle which if
erthrown will be nothing short of
calamity to the citizens of the
Hey from Cairo to the Gulf.