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FJD's interest in protecting the city from flooding did not diminish after
his stint in the legislature. When he served on the New Orleans City Council from 1896 to 1900 as part of the progressive
element elected along with Mayor Walter C. Flower, he worked on the Drainage Commission Act for the Louisiana Legislature.
As a consequence, the city hired Mr. Wood, a tremendously talented engineer, who created the drainage system based
on canals and pumps that he designed. This elaborate system dealt with the excess water through strategically located
pumping stations throughout the city and, Ruth notes, the engineers in Holland studied Wood's model in New Orleans
when constructing their famous dikes.
Because of his outspoken advocacy in writing legislation to promote flood control and many other varieties of protection
to benefit his neighbors and fellow citizens, FJD ensured that his reputation was synonymous with personal integrity,
civic responsibility and professional commitment. From 1890 to 1892, he also served as a member of the State Central
Committee of the Democratic party.
As a member of the legislature, FJD could name a deserving student to be awarded a scholarship to Tulane University,
a practice not devoid of controversy even today because many representatives and state senators named family members
and the children of friends for these coveted positions. FJD, on the other hand, insisted that students who wished
to obtain the scholarship that was within his purview could compete by taking an examination that would determine
the most able candidate. This process was in keeping with FJD's belief in creating a meritocracy, not a society
based on favoritism.
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