The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1903-03-14
Dredging Of Bayou Teche and the
Opposition.

gives Nfui w IL Hullbci VI CAl'ito
sioDs which Enthusiastically indi
cate that the writer is inclined tC
regard the measure with a little
more optimism and broad minded
ness than characterized the act
ions of those individuals of st.
Landry in making their emphatic
prostestations against it; and also
betrays, we think, willingness tC
concede that those protests were,
as we contend, purely the off
spring of All impulsive and imagi
nary conviction that their inter.
ests were imperiled.
The Enterprises relentIng at
titude can be safely said to be a
reflection of the opinions of all
those who have recOnsldered their
stand against the project, and it
is refreshing to note that calm
ness of thought has taken the
place of impulsive and grOundIess
conclusions.
We on the Teche want it dredg-
ed and improved because it will
benefit us, but we are not so I'M
reasonable as to ask the govern.
ment to give us this source Of be-
nefit at the expense of our neigh
bors We are asking the govern
ment TO allow us to do at our ex
pense, what it should be its plain
duty to give us without our ask
ing for it.
A "wild catn distilIery is report
ed and Immediately the govern
ment takes steps to destroy it,
stopping at no expense, because
its existence is offensive to all laws
and menace to the welfare of
the people. The reason for which
the government IS asked 10y the
people of st. Landry to forbid this
dredging, is given by expert and
impartial government agents to
be the very reason why the gov
eminent should not only grant the
permission, but should carry out
the work itself with the same splr
it as that with which it deems it's
duty to destroy the illegal distill
cry.
We believe that the fact that
this identical dredging was strong
ly recommended by it's engineers
after their surveys of the premises
made in 1898, is suffi-
cient testimony to convince the
government. that there are no
grounds to support valid objec
tions to it, and purely it's duty to
ignore all such, in view of the
fact that the project embodies no
more nor less than the necessary
removing of an unlawful dam ia a
natural water.course, a serious
menace to the future develOpe-
ment of an important section of
the union and the consequent vel
fare or its people.
Now, the people of the Teche are
fully determined to improve their
now useless stream-Obtain for it |
a source that will make it answer
for much needed irrigation and |
navigation purposes as nature had
decreed that it should, but which !
it is prevented being by past neg
Iigence. They decided on the
COurtableau project because they
had the assurance from expert en-
yineers that it was one remedy for
.he Teche and further, that the
nature of the work would be far
'eacbing in wealth bearing effects
md so, commanding the hearty
of all concerned, and
or the reason, that it could be
at small expense
But, as the lowest priced things
ire not always the cheapest, we
hink that those at the head of
he matter should find out at
nee if there is reason to believe
hat the carrying out of the dredg- .
ng project is likely to be other ,
rise than plain sailing, and if so
0 abandon it altogether and cen l
er all consideration on the only I
lternative-the Teche Atchafal- .
"a canal, which would cost more !
, start with, but cheaper in the
ing run. -Breaux Bridge Valley !
the Teche.