State v. Carondelet Canal & Navigation Co.

On the Merits.

[2] Counsel for defendant say in their brief:

“The clear meaning of this act [referring to Act No. 74 of 1858] is, that the state gives the corporation a free and absolute grant of corporate life, without conditions or price, and reserves the right to take its property, at the end of 50 years, upon making due compensation, to be determined as provided.”

We do not, however, find the clear meaning thus referred to, and, if it were clear from the act of 1858 that the state has obligated itself to compensate the defendant for any of its property that may be taken, the act of 1857 is…