From the Lafayette Gazette of July 3rd, 1897:
THEY ARE ALRIGHT
Says the Supreme Court - The Municipal Bonds Declared Constitutional
And Lafayette Will Soon Have Waterworks and Electric Lights.
The Supreme Court has rendered its decision in the case involving the legality of the bonds proposed to be issued by the authorities of this town for the erection of waterworks and electric light plants.
The way this question was forced into the courts happened in the following manner:
Mr. J. M. Ferguson, had entered into a contract to build the improvements contemplated for thirty-six thousand dollars payable in bonds to be issued by the town, provided their issuance be authorized by the Legislature. The City Council, then in power, secured at some expense, the services of Mr. Crow Girard to go to Baton Rouge and press the bill to a final passage by the Legislature which was then in session. The passage of the act being accomplished, Mr. Ferguson desiring to realize on the bonds that he proposed to accept, went to Chicago for that purpose. Of course, he believed, as well as the town authorities, that the bonds would be perfectly legal obligations of the town, but before he could obtain even a consideration of his proposition to negotiate the bonds he had to obtain a written opinion of a firm of leading corporation lawyers of Chicago upon their legality. The opinion of these corporation attorneys was that for various reasons the bonds were illegal and unconstitutional. The result was that Mr. Ferguson has to either forfeit his $500 deposited with the City Council as a penalty in case he failed to carry out his part of the contract, (in that event the town would get $500, but no improvements) or make a test case of the question before the courts. We say test case advisedly, because the question presented had never been decided in the State.
In order to bring about a decision the City Council passed an ordinance directing the mayor to sign and issue the bonds under the contract. This ordinance as was previously understood, the mayor promptly vetoed for the reasons stated by the Chicago lawyers. The Council, however, immediately passed the ordinance over the mayor's veto, but he still refused to sign the bonds. All this appeared in the proceedings of the Council. Mr. Ferguson then immediately filed proceedings in the district court to compel Mr. Caffery to sign the bonds. To this demand, Mr. Caffery, in order to carry out the plan, answered that the act of the Legislature authorizing the issuance of the bonds, was unconstitutional and illegal, and hence he could not be forced to commit an illegal act.
Judge Debaillon, without passing upon the question raised by the mayor, decided that having no interest individually he could not refuse to sign the ordinance, when the contractor was waiting to accept the bonds in payment for his work, and ordered him to forthwith sign and issue bonds to the contractor. And there the case stood.
Mr. Ferguson could get the bonds signed, but their legality yet remained a question undecided. He was certainly in no better, if not in a worse position. Necessarily the case had to be carried to a higher court to obtain, if possible, a decision on the question of their constitutionality and legality. The Council could not morally exact the acceptance of its obligations in payment when their legality was seriously questioned and in default keep the $500 of the contractor, who was in vain doing all in his power, at large expense, to obtain a decision of the question.
Anxious to secure a decision and thereby obtain the erection of the proposed plants, should he secure a final and favorable decision, the mayor appealed to the Supreme Court and that tribunal has decided the question as presented by the parties and maintained the act of the Legislature authorizing the issuance of bonds legal and constitutional.
We have given the foregoing history of this case that the people should know the serious obstacles and great trouble the old Council had to overcome to bring about the will expressed at the ballot by the tax-payers of the town.
The very satisfactory outcome of the whole thing is a signal victory for Mayor Caffery and the old Council.
Lafayette will now have waterworks and electric lights. We are informed that Contractor Ferguson will begin work at an early day and that no time will be lost, and our little city will be in the lead in matters of public improvements.
Lafayette Gazette 7/3/1898.
THE FOURTH OF JULY.
The grateful Germans some years ago erected a beautiful statue in memory of their deliverer, Arminius, who now stands in bronze facing the Rhine as he always did when the legions of Rome were about to fade the marshes and forests of the old fatherland. True, they have not been blessed with a free and Republican government as we have but the liberty-loving Teutons, as their descendants now do, held their savior dear in memory and their bards still sing of "the deeds he did, the fields he won, the freedom he restored." The conqueror of Varus is now the national hero; the superstitious Teutons worshiped him, and their descendants have not to go back as the first century to find the date of their delivery. The bright sons and daughters of Sunny France sing that grand hymn, "La Marseillaise," and when all the nations of the earth will enjoy the benign influence of Democratic government, they will join them in celebrating the Fourteenth of July as one of the red letter days in the history of republican achievements.
When we see the Germans, who do not enjoy our privileges, commemorate what they regard as the beginning of their freedom, how much more right have we to remember in a proper way the date which marks the transfer of sovereignty from the mother country into the hands of our ancestors ?
Just one hundred and twenty-one years ago the measure known as the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, was proclaimed to the country by Congress assembled. In this age of sweet girl graduates it would be useless to recount "the folly of England and the ruin of America" during the years preceding the revolution when England so wantonly trampled upon the rights and liberties of the colonies; but we cannot but touch upon the fact with pride that we, of the South, took the first pronounced step toward achieving the independence of the colonies. The Carolinas and Virginia were the first to pass formal resolutions virtually declaring themselves independent, and it was Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, who moved in the Continental Congress "That these United States are and ought to be free and independent States, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is and ought to be dissolved." We should never forget the fact that the South was the first to declare our independence, and that was the voice of Patrick Henry of Virginia that defended with an eloquence almost unparalleled, the resolutions formally proclaiming a defiance. True, that declaration did not accomplish our independence, but the first step was taken and from that time we see the struggle for Democratic institutions. Independent from England was soon obtained, but the most critical period of American history is when the two parties that divided America at that time represented by Jefferson and Hamilton, fought out a principle - Jefferson the dreamer and Hamilton the fulfiller. That same principle has again and again been brought before the American public. Jefferson was the father of that declaration and the principles it embodied are his, those which Hamilton opposed in part. Hamilton opposed the tyranny of England and Jefferson the principle of a monarchy. Hamilton wished to take British institutions as a model, but Jefferson espoused the principles of Sydney and John Locke, and when when he promulgated that famous document it startled the world - a defiance, coming as it did, from a colony to the mother country, and now the liberty-loving people of the earth still delight in it as an assertion of the rights of man.
But Jefferson was a dreamer, they say. Yes, and he dreamed out this sacred paper; he dreamed out the principles of the grand old Democratic party; he dreamed out the purchase of Louisiana; he dreamed out the abolition of slavery, the extension of our territory, the republic.
Hamilton simply wished to free himself from foreign dictation; he cared not what form of government the colonies would assume, but Jefferson had embraced the new philosophy of the rights of man, the beautiful principle of human liberty.
That precious paper which Jefferson has bequeathed to us is a supreme trust. Since the Civil war there is a tendency to drift gradually from the principles of Jefferson. The decisions of the Supreme Court have favored Hamiltonianism, and there is ample reason for our Democratic leaders to go (unreadable word) to Thomas Jefferson for the true theory of our government. They will find in him decentralization, Democracy and toleration in religion. Chaste as Washington, just as John Marshall, he stands the greatest of them all, the "Great Commoner."
And now when all over this glorious republic liberty bells are sending forth glad tidings of renewed prosperity, we should in our joy, extend our sympathy to the struggling Cubans. Whatever be their strength, they are rebels against the tyranny of a monarchy and Washington has made that term sacred. And it may seem a decree of fate that Jefferson, whom we honor to-day, said:
"Erect a column on the southernmost limit of that island and inscribe on it 'ne plus ultra.' We shall then have only to include the North in our Union, and we shall have such an empire for Liberty as she has never surveyed since the creation."
And may his last dream be fulfilled.
Lafayette Gazette 7/3/1897.
The Ladies' Club.
On Thursday afternoon the L. F. O. T. Club held a pleasant meeting at the pretty home of Mrs. A. C. Young. Miss Adele Young, in a graceful manner, received each guest, all of whom were made to feel very welcome to the hospitality dispensed. Business transactions being over will all with one accord repaired to the lovely dining-hall, where a beautiful sight presented itself - dainty vases with fragrant blossoms told or arrangement by tasty fingers, doily and centrepieces. whose jewel-nock bespoke an adept at fancy work. Pineapple and chocolate cream, cakes of all kinds and tempting cream puffs made up the menu.
The contents of "The Mystic Box" provoked much guessing, and much merry laughter accompanied some of the "guesses." Finally Mrs. Darling guessed correctly - a lace pin - and was also awarded the prize, a pretty fancy duster. Instrumental music by Miss Cornay, solos by Mrs. Biossat and Miss Mudd added to the pleasure of the afternoon.
Mrs. Bourdier was greeted as a welcomed guest on this occasion.
Lafayette Gazette 7/3/1897.
Special Mass.
One of the most impressive and beautiful religious services held in Lafayette was the mass said at the Catholic church Wednesday morning for the repose of the soul of the late Archbishop Janssens. The church had been very tastily decorated for the occasion by Messrs. H. Van der Cruyssen and Pierre Gerac, who certainly displayed a thorough knowledge of the decorative art. The following visiting priests assisted Revs. Father Forge and Baulard: Revs. Branche of Rayne, Guens of Crowley, Peters of Jennings, Langlois of St. Martinville, Malluchet of Port Barre. Messrs. T. P. Caillouet and Henry Gerac acted as ushers and did all in their power to seat everybody.
The members of the local lodge of Catholic Knights attended the services in a body. They were seated along the aisle where chairs were placed for them.
Father Malluchet preached a very touching eulogy on the life of the lamented prelate. Lafayette Gazette 7/3/1897.
The Assessments.
Last week a few errors crept into our article about the assessments.
It was stated that an increase of $11,000 had been made on the property of the Carencro Sugar Manufacturing Company. Eight thousand dollars is the correct amount.
The assessment of the Lafayette Sugar Manufacturing Company last year was $6,000 instead of $4,500. This year it is fixed at $15,000 and not $8,000 as stated last week.
We stated that the problem assessments of Martial Billaud's property would reach $37,000. It will be about $32,000. Last year it was $19, 125.
The People's Cotton Oil Mill was assessed at $10,000.
The First National Bank last year was booked for $18,448. This year it is $27,000. Lafayette Gazette 7/3/1897.
Married.
One of Lafayette's popular young men, Mr. Pierre Landry, son of Hon. R. C. Landry was married Thursday evening to Miss Idea Landry, a most charming young lady of Iberia parish. The marriage took place at the residence of the bride's father, Mr. Alphonse Landry, near New Iberia, in the presence of a large number of friends and relatives. The bridesmaids was Miss Elodie Landry and the groomsman Mr. Lucien Bonin. A splendid collation was served after the celebration of the nuptial rites.
Mr. and Mrs. Landry left on the night train for New Orleans. After a short stay in that city they went to Biloxi, where they will spend a couple of weeks, after which they will return to this parish to reside permanently. Lafayette Gazette 7/3/1897.
Base Ball in the Country.
To the Lafayette Gazette:
A very quiet and interesting game of base ball was played last Sunday in the 7th ward by the Fourcade and Meaux clubs. The score was 37 to 23 in favor of the latter. The game was hotly contested, but the Fourcades were not in it at all, and it is safe to say that whenever they will tackles the Meaux Club they will meet a similar fate.
The Meaux Club will play the Abbeville boys at Darmas Broussard's on the 3rd of July.
Lafayette Gazette 7/3/1897.
Back from New Orleans.
Aby Demanade, the young son of Mr. Felix Demanade, returned home a few days ago carrying with him a diploma as a reward for faithful application to his studies at the well-known Classical and Commercial Institute of Prof. H. S. Chenet at New Orleans, Aby speaks in glowing terms of Mr. Chenet's school and is anxious to furnish any one with information concerning it.
Prof. Chenet is a native of Louisiana and is graduate of the State University and A. & M. College. He is not only a teacher of much skill, but he is a gentleman of great administrative ability, as is evidenced by the success and growing popularity of Chenet's Institute. He is assisted by a very able faculty and the curriculum is thorough and complete in every particular and in accord with the most advanced methods of teaching. Lafayette Gazette 7/3/1897.
The Lumber Dealers.
A number of gentlemen composing the Louisiana Lumber Dealers' Association, held a meeting in Lafayette Tuesday and elected the following officers to serve during the ensuing year: president; T. L. Lewis, of Welch; vice-president, A. E. Mouton, of Lafayette; secretary and treasurer, J. T. Callahan, of Washington. Lafayette Gazette 7/3/1897.
At the Park To-morrow.
There will be a world of fun at the Oak Avenue Park to-morrow. A tournament, bicycle races, base ball games, and a mule race will be among the features of the day. The admission price will be 25 cents for grown folks and 10 cents for children. Lafayette Gazette 7/3/1897.
Railroad Tax.
We note that in several parishes the question of a railroad tax is being submitted to the voters. The Gazette is unalterably opposed to voting taxes for the benefit of railroad corporations. Let railroad builders take their chances as other people. The railroad companies and other corporations are already enjoying more privileges than they are entitled to. It is not the people who should be taxed for the railroads, but it is the railroads that should be made to pay more taxes. Lafayette Gazette 7/3/1897.
A Cleaning-up Adventure.
The Gazette is informed that Sterling Mudd, Don Greig, Tom McFaddin, Charley Webb, Robt. McFaddin, Dudley Mudd and John Edwards left Friday evening with a strong determination to catch all the fish in the fish in Lake Martin. Lafayette Gazette 7/3/1897.
Selected News Notes (Gazette) 7/3/1897.
Let's all rejoice that the bonds have been declared constitutional. The decision of the court is unquestionably the strongest kind of proof that the old council knew what it was about.
Adolphe Clotier and Miss Fannie Techro were the guests of Mr. A. R. Lisbony's family this week.
Mr. Wm. Clegg returned home Thursday morning from Baton Rouge, where he attended a meeting of the State Board of Education of which he is a member.
Mr. and Mrs. Baxter Clegg returned home Monday from Corpus Christi, Texas.
Mr. J. Edmond Mouton was agreeably surprised Thursday night by the visit of a number of his friends from this town who drove out to his house and spent a few hours with him amid gaiety and conviviality.
Dr. H. E. Salles and Felix Salles left this week and will make an extended trip through the Northern States. They will be away about three weeks.
Miss Marie Mouton, daughter of Mr. A. E. Mouton, returned home this week from the Sacred Heart Convent at Grand Coteau.
Miss Philomene Mouton, daughter of Mr. J. D. Mouton, is at home spending vacation. She returned from the Sacred Heart Convent of Grand Coteau this week.
Miss Mary Saint, of Shuteston, is the guest of Miss Clye Mudd.
Mr. A. Judice, the wide-awake merchant of Scott, will soon be up to the times by building a large and extensive store and magnificent residence. These building will be an ornament to Great Scott.
Mr. C. K. Darling and family leave to-day for Simcoe, Canada, their future home. Lafayette Gazette 7/3/1897.
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From the Lafayette Advertiser of July 3rd, 1869:
THE ROAD TO TEXAS.
We rejoice in our judgment of Mr. Charles Morgan and of his intentions with reference to the railroad to Texas has been confirmed by his actions. And we have additional satisfaction to find that such men as Wm. M. Perkins, L. F. Generes, W. T. Hepp, and the other sixteen or eighteen old citizens, of wealth and character, associated with him, and they are determined to carry the road built by the Opelousas Company on to Texas.
We do not wish to discourage the Chattanooga Company from building their road also. There is room and business for both, and both can do an enormous business with a connection through to Texas, for that will only connect them with the roads to the Northwest, which will furnish business enough for half a dozen such roads.
The details of the plan proposed must be carefully examined by our readers to understand them, and we will not undertake to do this for them. But will call attention to these facts :
Mr. Morgan agrees to do the business of the proposed road and of all the other roads on his track to Berwick's Bay at the proportional rate, mile for mile, charged on such connecting roads.
He subscribes for one half of the four millions of stock in the road from Berwick to Texas ; but, if more than the other half is subscribed by others, he will let them take so much of his stock off his hands.
Could anything be more just or liberal ? What, then, has become of the accusations against him, and what of his accusers. From the N. O. Picayune and in the Lafayette Advertiser of July 3rd, 1869.
The crops throughout the parish are very promising. The corn crop is most abundant ; and should we not be visited by caterpillars too early, the cotton crop will be equally abundant.
We are indebted to Dr. Thos. B. Hopkins, for a basket of Irish potatoes, raised on his farm near town. They are the finest we have ever seen in this parish, and we believe hard to beat, by any of our sister parishes ; one weighing 23 ounces.
Mr. J. J. Caffery, has the finest corn in the parish, without any exception. He has gone to farming in dead earnest, and his prospect, from all present appearance, will well repay his labor. We wish him success.
City Council of Vermilionville.
Session of June 17th, 1869.
A. Nevue, Mayor, presiding ; All the members present.
On motion it was resolved, that the Collector proceed immediately to enforce the collection of all taxes and licenses due the corporation of Vermilionville, by seizure and sale.
Resolved, that ten days after the passage of this resolution all goats running large within the limits of the Corporation will be taken up by the Constable, and if not claimed by the owner, who will be compelled to pay a fine of one dollar per head and all expenses incurred, said animals will be sold at public auction on the Saturday following.
On motion it was resolve that the Constable be and is hereby ordered to strictly enforce the resolution of the Council in reference to dogs.
On motion it was resolved, that the resolution in reference to horses on the side-walks, be and is hereby amended so as to read, "fined one dollar" instead of five dollars.
On motion it was resolved, that the permission be and is hereby granted to Messrs. Crouchet and C. O. Olivier to keep hides in the homes built by them, for that purpose, previous to the extension of the corporate limits.
On motion it was resolved, that thirty days after the passage of this resolution all persons will be prohibited from going through the streets at a greater speed than a trot, under the penalty a fine of five dollars for each and every offense.Resolved, that from and after the 31st of December 1869, the licenses on coffee houses be and are hereby fixed at Thirty dollars.
Resolved, that Col. Wm. Mouton be and he is hereby authorized to procure lamps for the use of the town.
Resolved, that the reputation is reference to hogs, be and is hereby amended as follows ; all hogs running at large in the Corporation will be taken up by the Constable and sold at public auction on Saturdays ; owners of hogs taken up, will have the privilege of claiming their property previous to the sales, provided that they pay a fine of one dollar per head for each animal and all expenses occurred for their keeping.
Resolved, that the Constable be and he is hereby authorized to procure some suitable place to keep all hogs and goats up by him.
On motion the Council adjourned.
Lafayette Advertiser 7/3/1869.
From the Lafayette Advertiser of July 3rd, 1907:
LAYING CORNER STONE OF THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL
To Take Place To-morrow, July 4, at 5 p. m. with Appropriate Ceremonies. - Addresses by Prominent Speakers. - Everybody Invited.
The corner stone of the new Central High School will be laid to-morrow, July 4, at 5 p. m. with appropriate ceremonies. Short talks will be made by Mayor C. O. Mouton, C. D. Caffery, Crow Girard and Wm. Campbell. Dr. J. B. Aswell, Pres. B. C. Caldwell of the State Normal College, and Prof. Alcee Fortier of Tulane University have been invited to make addresses. Dr. Aswell can not be present owing to a previous engagement; no reply has been received from the other two gentlemen, but it is hoped they will be present.
The Council and members of the Building Committee wish to make the day a memorable one and cordially invite everybody to be present at the ceremony. Lafayette Advertiser 7/3/1907.
A Noiseless Fourth of July?
Nearly all of the large cities in the North are now engaged in a campaign for a noiseless Fourth of July, and it is proposed to bar toy pistols, giant crackers and dynamite explosions. In order to make amends to the small boy it was proposed in Chicago for the city authorities to set off fire-works in designated places in the public parks and furnish to all the youngsters who apply free crackers of the small and harmless Chinese type. It was planned to have a policeman, a fireman, a teacher and a doctor at each celebration center.
This plan was agreed upon as the best way to celebrate the Nation's birthday, and it involved the raising of a sum of $50,000.00 with which to purchase the fireworks, but as $6,000 has been raised it is fair to assume that the Fourth of July in Chicago this year will be far from noiseless, and the citizens will have to endure the discomfort and the ear-racking din to which it seems they can not get accustomed. However, the efforts to suppress the exploding of revolvers and giant crackers may be attended by a fair degree of success.
The city of Cleveland has passed a municipal ordinance against the sale of toy pistols and blank cartridges which have sent so many promising young boys to the far-angel land. St. Paul has provided against the sale of fireworks in that city during the thirty days preceding the Fourth of July. The small boy, of course, in the cities mentioned feels that he has been made the victim of the most crushing tyranny, because if he were alone consulted he would be in favor of running any risk, no matter how great that enabled him to make a noise. But it is quite clear that the efforts that are being made to protect him against himself are praiseworthy, and it would be well for all the cities to do something to prevent him from running amok on the Glorious Fourth, blowing himself up and burning down parts of the town.
From the New Orleans States, June 15th and in the Lafayette Advertiser 6/22/1904.
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