New Iberia enterprise and independent observer., 1904-01-02

hou through lUS mOuGn ana =
miles of abandoned levees abov,
it, damming it up to the Black
O1ichita, Tensas and numeOru!
other streams that act as tn,
drainage for that extensive sec
ton of country. These lands are
all heavily timbered with the bes
of timber suitable for saw mill.
and manufacture of every kline
from wood. 90
From the census report L fine
that there were in 1889, 276. GOT
acres of land cultivated in cane
in the State that produced a cro1
of sugar, molasses and syrup o.
the value of S15,097, ,S14 Ia short
crop year,, and $24,291, $50 il
1883, equal to $S7.7O per acre
Of the 100000 acres of land ir
the Atchafalaya basin district
that can be redeemed, suppose
l 10000 was planted to cane, bx
the above calculation it would add
to the sugar crop $87,7OO,OOO: or
estimate the 100000 acres in
all crops at S32.75 per acre, it
would amount to S65. 100000 The
Tensas Levee district and 9Th
Levee district would Go as well,
increasing the agricultural pro-
ducts to S131 100000.
Large tracts of land can also
be reclaimed in the other leyee
districts, thus adding immensely
to our agricultural resources, to
say nothing Of the immense a.
mount to be derived from the
saving and manufacturing of
the valuable woods on them.
AS soon as the locks at Plaque
mine are opened and navigation
improved, so as boats of all kinds
drawing 6 feet can have access to
the Mississippi River and New
Orleans at all seasons of the year,
there will be no necessity for
the Government spending thous-
ands of dollars each year dredg-
ing out the sand bars and mud
flats in old river to keep naviga5
open
Then why cannot this be done?
i can see no objection to it, ex-
cept they want it as an outlet for
the flood waters of the Missis-
sippi, to protect the country be-
low the mouth of the Red River.
Ii that be the case, why don't
they come out and say so? At
the great river convention re-
Gently held at New Orleans, the
speakers from all parts of the
condemned the outlet
theory and not one word was
said in it's behalf.
/ have taken much time in gath
erlng these statistics, to show
the immense undeveloped resour-
ces of our State: to show how
easily vast tracts can be pro-
tected from the destructive floods
Of the Mississippi River.
Is not this consummation to
be ardently desired by every cit.
zen of our State? Is it not wor-
Thy of our talented and ambitious
member of Congress, the Hon.
r. F. Broussard, of all our sena-
5Ors and representatives in Con-
yress, of the progressive leagues
If the city of New Orleans and
vi the towns in the State?
To carry out the program /
lave suggested, we must have an
lble, competent and energetic
nan for our Governor, and the |
1ery best men we can get for the
legislature. In making our Sc.
ections for candidates we should |
'ote for the very best men. Do
We not do this in our own busi-
less affairs? The sugar planter
loes not select young and mex
'erienced men to run his planta- !
ion and sugar house, but he
lunts for the most experienced
nd best he can get. So does
he cotton planter, the manufac-
urer, and the employer in all
ther industries.
Then why not apply the same
ule in selecting the most COM
etent and best men to be had to
cad us in our fight with the
'reat Republican party next
April and November?
Judged by that standard, Blan-
hard's claims are far superior
0 Jastremski's. He has served
nth distinction some sixteen
ears in Congress, some eight
ears as chairman Of the Rivers
nd Harbors Committee, one of
ne most important in Congress
nd in the Senate, in both posi-
ons rendering great and impor.
mt services to the people Of his
tate and especially to the peo-
lie OF the Teche Parishes, and in
ne Supreme Court of our State;
fact, in every position he has
ischarged his duties ably, with
onor to himself and benefit to
le people. He is a statesman
ith a national reputation, well
with all the leading !
5atesmen of the country, which .
i'll be of great assistance to us,
II we will have to have the aid
Congress for the protection of I
lr swamps and doverfiowed lands. !
e is still young and energetic.
e asks of you your vote for !
overnor, to round out his polit- {
al career.
What has Jastremski ever !
one? He has held subordinate d
ices by appointment of Demo e
ATTIC Governors. He has been
ected Mayor of Baton Rouge :
Id editor of newspaper, and 0