The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1911-02-23
THE OBJECTS or
THE CONVENTION
WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST I'M.
PoRTANT MEETINGS EVER
HELD IN THIS SECTION.
State Geoiogist MccaIie Writes an
Interesting Article on prainaqe
and the Importance of the Meetino
Here Tomorrow.
(ey S. w. MccaIIie, State ceo,oaist.,

(By S. w. MccaIIie, State Geoioaist1
The Drainage Congress to be held
at Brunswick, Feb. "a, will, no doubt,
be one of the most important meet
ings ever held in that section of the
state looking to the development and
upbuilding of the farming interests.
The object of the meeting is to dis
cuss and formulate plans for the
drainage of the swamp and overflow
lands throughout the state. The meet
ing will be addressed by some of the
most prominent drainage engineers
OF the country and every phase of
the drainage question, both from
financial and legal standpoint, will
be thoroughly discussed and eluci.
dated.
AT similar meeting held at Rich
mond, Va, about one year ago. Hon.
{. G. Elliott, chief of drainage inves-
LEGATIONS, L. s. department of agricul-
ture. said IN part:
The magnitude of this work has
deferred many from giving it any
consideration. At this time it is more
appropriate that | discuss ways and
means OF reclaiming lands for farm
Ing purposes. In the first place, it
is work which requires cooperation
among land owners.
The drainage Of swamp lands con-
sists of two parts, one of which may
ne regarded as public and the other
| private. If farmer can drain his
own land through natural outlets
which exist on his own farm he Is
independent OF his neighbors in this
respect. but if lie cannot do this he
must join with them and bear his
part Of the cost OF construction of
such bitches as will give each an out
let. Such outlets thus become of
common value and partake of the ma
/ ture of public improvements, which
are paid for not by general tax, but
by special assessments upon the prop
| erty.
The Drainage Law.
The aim and purpose of the law
should not he misunderstood. In the
hrst place. the Inauguration of any
general drainage work is optional
with the owners of the land which will
receive benefit. 1t must originate I'm
a petition properly signed and pre-
sented to the county commissioners
Inc district can be established only
upon the ground that the execution
or the proposed work will contribute
to the public welfare and will he nf
dement,. Land owners must he remu-
nerated for property which is taken
! or injured for the common good. but
must pay the cost of the improve.
ment in proportion to the benefit con.
| ierred. Cooperation is the dominant
element in the proceedings. vet the
| rights OF all who are affected by the
work are secure. The work perform.
ed under the provisions of the law
Is only that part Of the drainage
which the seVera! land owners have
a common interest. The law does
not to pay proportionate amount of
the cost. Tho working out of auy
| project is designed to furnish each
! owner with outlet rights and other
benefits which accrue from the con
struction OF main drains, so that ne
/ may Ulen drain his own farm as he
| chooses without Becoming liable for
/ damages TO owners of adjoining
lands
l. The area to be drained must be AS,
t certained, the boundry of the propos.
! ed district fixed, the bitches which
! VIII be necessary must he designed
and their size specified. the location
! or each parcel Of land must lie rep
resented upon the map. and the dam
ages and amount of benefits must he
assessed against the respective prop
erty owner.
Modern ECU ulpment.
The facilities for reclaiming swami
lands have been so perfected during
the last few years that work which
was impracticable few years sgo
Is now feasible and profitable. The
steam excavator with the aid OF dyna.
mite lifts the stuDps easily aside and
plows canal through the wooded
| swamps att cost which is far less.
l notwithstanding the high price OF