STILL A FACTOR.
(The Gazette Answers the opinions of the Lecompte Messenger and the St. Landry Clarion.)
Now the black race is practically laid on the shelf - politically speaking. -- Lecompte Messenger.
He may be on the shelf brother, but he's loaded; and a very dangerous weapon at that. He'll never be out of politics until - well; until he's fired out. By the way, there's something singular about those fellows who say that the nigger doesn't figure in Louisiana politics any more. In the next breath, in almost every instance, you'll find them vociferously shouting that Gov. Foster was elected by the negro votes of the black belt. If the negro elected Foster (or anybody else), isn't he a controlling power. - St. Landry Clarion.
And the Lafayette Gazette, as usual, has its say on the matter.
The negro will never control the politics of this State because the Democratic party won't let him, but he is a factor nevertheless, and those who tell us that the race issue is used by designing men to frighten weak-minded voters are not speaking the truth. What caused the trouble in St. Landry parish last year? It was the negro vote and nothing else. It is an undeniable fact that in several parishes in this State, the negroes hold the balance of power, and so long as a single parish is at the mercy of corrupt and ignorant negroes it is pure nonsense to call the race issue a political spook.
In some parishes the effectual method of the shotgun has been employed to rid the elections of the degrading influence of the darkies, while in others means less honorable and manly have been resorted to by the whites to insure Caucasian rule. In our opinion bulldozing is better than a dishonest ballot. One is manly, the other is despicable and low. Tell a negro he can't vote, but don't advise him to go the polls and then steal his vote. That's bush-wacking, a form of warfare popular only among greasers and jayhawkers.
But there is still a better way to purge our politics of the contaminating presence of the black voter. It is legal disfranchisement. Bulldozing begets disorder and brings the law into contempt. A dishonest ballot is demoralizing, corrupting and debauching and detrimental to every interest of organized society and civilized government. Either method may bring temporary prosperity and peace, but just as sure as there is a Supreme Ruler who presides over the destinies of nations, either will some day act as a boomerang.
What is needed, and very much needed, is an organic law that will disfranchise, on an enduring basis, the mass of ignorance which, despite the asseverations of our optimistic friends, is a continuous menace to good government. The great work of settling this vexing question will be entrusted to the men who will compose the constitutional convention next February, and let us all hope that they will have both the inclination and ability to settle it fairly and well. Lafayette Gazette 9/4/1897.
At the Park To-morrow. - A. J. Sprole, manager of the Oak Avenue Park, informs the Gazette that there will be some genuine sport at the park to-morrow.
A baseball game between a crack team from Opelousas and a Lafayette nine will be played. Two bicycle races will take place to be followed by a half-mile pony race. Some of the best players in the State will take part in the baseball game.
Lafayette Gazette 9/4/1897.
Good Work. - J. C. Couvillon informs The Gazette that St. Charles Avenue is now in better condition than it has ever been. It is due to the efforts of Ludovic Billeaud, Adelma Martin and Galbert Comeau that this popular avenue has been put in such thorough shape from Mr. Couvillon's to Mrs. Lagrange's plantation. Lafayette Gazette 9/4/1897.
Mad Dog on the Warpath. - Considerable excitement was caused at Broussardville last Monday by the appearance on the streets of a mad dog. After frightening the people of the neighborhood, the dog bit other canines, a hog and horse. The latter belongs to V. G. Broussard and is said to be a very valuable animal and it is feared that he has been infected with the disease. The mad dog, and the dogs and hog that he had bitten, were killed. Lafayette Gazette 9/4/1897.
Death of Mrs. Martha Cade. - Mrs. Martha Cade, aged 81 years, died Saturday, Aug 28, at 9:20 p. m., at New Iberia. Mrs. Cade was the mother of Hon. Overton Cade of this parish, Capt. C. T. Cade of New Iberia, and Mr. William Cade of Vermilion. She leaves a large number of grand children. Lafayette Gazette 9/4/1897.
Resumed Management.
Miss Mary Littel has returned to Lafayette and resumed the management of the Western Union Telegraph office after an absence of one month spent with relatives and friends in New Orleans and Opelousas. Miss Sally Alexander, who replaced Miss Littel during her absence, returned to her home in Abbeville Thursday.
Laf. Gazette 9/4/1897.
Bicycle Race of the Season. - The most interesting bicycle race of the season will take place to-morrow. The following well-known wheelmen have already entered the race: Albert Durand of St. Martinville, A. L. Stokie of Jeanerette, Gordon Sandoz of Opelousas, Thompson of New Iberia. There will be other races. Lafayette Gazette 9/4/1897.
ASSESSMENT ROLLS
Completed - A Twenty Per Cent Increase is Shown.
Assessor Martin assisted by Messrs. Aymar Labbe, Jos. Ducote and Jerome Mouton, has completed the assessment rolls of the parish and forwarded a book to the State auditor. There is an increase of $377,433.00 over last year's assessment, which is equal to very nearly 20 per cent, as good a showing as that of any other parish in the State. The parish of Calcasieu prides itself on an increase of 11 per cent and St. Landry boasts of $140.500.00 over last year's total valuation of about $4,500,000, while Lafayette, notwithstanding its small area, shows up with $2,348,827.00 as a grand total, and nearly three times the increase of St. Landry. Moreover, in the latter parish, the amount of valuation on steamboats, barges, etc., was quite an item, which this parish does not enjoy. All in all, the tabulation shows conscientious and faithful work on the part of Assessor Martin and his assistants, who had in view an equal distribution of the taxes of the parish and who equalized as much as possible the burden of taxation. Considering the fact that Lafayette parish is the third smallest in area in the State, its citizens should be satisfied with these results.
The poll taxes also show an increase of nearly $300.00.
The following is the result in tabulated form:
Grand total of the parish including the above:
Lafayette Gazette 9/4/1897.
LICENSE PAYERS.
Assessor Martin Compiles a List of Those Who Pay Licenses.
Assessor Martin, has, at the request of the Police Jury, prepared a list of license tax-payers of this parish, which we print below. We leave out the names and simply give the number of each class. The list is as complete as the assessor could make it under the circumstances. It seems to be a generally conceded fact that a large number of foot-peddlers escape the payment of their licenses, which, if collected, would considerably raise the public revenues. With this end in view the Police Jury passed some time ago the following ordinance to which The Gazette calls the attention of the executive officers of this parish. It would be an easy matter for the various ward constables to see that the army of foot-peddlers are made to carry licenses as it is in the country districts that they do business. The ordinance reads:
"Provided that no person or peddler shall be allowed to sell goods as clerk or clerks of a peddler or hawker, but that he or they must pay a license in his or their own name; but this proviso shall not apply to watercraft.
"Provided further that all executive officers of this parish are hereby empowered and directed to cause all peddlers or hawkers failing to exhibit or produce the same, the said officers are directed and empowered by this act to seize the stock and merchandise of said peddler or hawkers, and turn the same over to any court of competent jurisdiction, with due information as to the violation of this act. The said executive officers shall be entitled to receive as fees the sum of $5.00 for each and every case, from any peddler or hawker, clerk or clerks employed by said peddler or hawker, when peddling without a license in violation of this act."
The following has been made up from the list furnished to the Police Jury by Mr. Martin:
Lafayette Gazette 9/4/1897.
Inspecting Paris Green. - Wood Lee, of the State Bureau of Agriculture, was in Lafayette Thursday for the purpose of inspecting, or rather of gathering samples of the paris green on sale in this section. The samples are sent to either Baton Rouge or the experimental station at Audubon where they are analyzed and tested. This inspection is made to protect the farmers against any impure paris green, and in accordance with the provisions of an act of the Legislature regulating the sale and purity of paris green as an insecticide in this State. Mr. Lee informed The Gazette that so far caterpillars were reported in only a few sections of Louisiana. Mr. Lee left Thursday for Opelousas.
Lafayette Gazette 9/4/1897.
The Ladies' Club.
On Thursday afternoon the Five O'clock Tea Club held its fortnightly meeting at the home of Mrs. Walter J. Mouton. It being the first of the month the business program was unusually lengthy. Refreshments were served on the lawn and since the formality of table etiquette was not required, these dainties were enjoyed more than ever. The diversion of the evening was "Gamut," at which one must don her thinking cap and not be found nodding. The first prize, a handsome powder-box and powder puff, was allotted to Miss Lizzie Mudd. The booby, a tiny piano, was awarded Mrs. Baxter Clegg, with the advice "to practice," Thus ended an afternoon fraught with unbounded pleasure. The next hostesses are Misses Mudd. Mrs. N. P. Moss kindly extended an invitation to the club members for next Thursday night. Needless to say it was unanimously accepted, and a pleasant evening is anticipated.
Lafayette Gazette 9/4/1897.
Bucklen's Arnica Salve. - The best salve in the world for Cuts, Bruises, Sores, Tetter, Chapped Hands, Chilblains, Corns, and all Skin Eruptions, and positively cures Piles, or no pay required. It is guaranteed to give perfect satisfaction of money refunded. Price 25 cents per box. For sale by Wm. Clegg. Lafayette Gazette 9/4/1897.
Electric Bitters. - Electric Bitters is a medicine suited for any season but perhaps more generally needed when the languid, exhausted feeling prevails, when the liver is torpid and sluggish and the need of a tonic and alternative is felt. A prompt use of this medicine has often averted long and perhaps fatal bilious fevers. No medicine will act more surely in counteracting and freeing the system from the malarial poison. Headache, Indigestion, Constipation, Dizziness yield to Electric Bitters. 50c. and $1.00 per bottle at Wm. Clegg's Drug Store. Lafayette Gazette 9/4/1897.
Selected News Notes (Gazette) 9/4/1897.
We are requested by the manager of the Lafayette Bakery to state that owing to unavoidable circumstances he was unable to begin business on the 1st of September as had been announced, but that in the near future all would be arranged satisfactorily.
Sister Camille of the Mt. Carmel Convent of Abbeville was in Lafayette this week on a visit to her mother, Mrs. Louis Mouton. Sister Camille returned to Abbeville with her niece, little Clara Coleman, who will enter the convent.
Prof. Chas. F. Trudeau, principal of the Lafayette High School, returned from Pointe Coupee parish where he spent three months enjoying a much-needed rest among his relatives and friends at his old home. Prof. Trudeau is feeling very well and is prepared for a session of hard work.
Bids for repairing and making plank walks and bridges will be received by the street committee until Saturday Sept. 6, 1897. Bids must stipulate amounts per month. Street Committee.
Judge McFaddin, of the third ward, has sent over fifty cases to the District Court, which convenes Monday next. From all appearances there will be quite a heavy docket, but nearly all the cases are of a minor nature.
The bar of this parish was not represented at the lawyers' convention held at Alexandria. What's the matter with our attorneys?
Constable LeBlanc, of Broussard, brought a nigger to town Monday to be incarcerate in the parish jail for having stolen a woman's hat.
L. E. Wallis, publisher of the Terrebone Times, paid The Gazette a pleasant visit Wednesday. Mr. Wallis has been on a visit at the home of Mrs. S. R. Wallis, near Lafayette.
Prof. Greig will open a night school to afford opportunity for boys unable to attend the day school. All desirous of joining the class are invited to meet at Prof. Greig's school house at 8 o'clock, Monday evening.
If you want to see a hot game of baseball go to the Oak Avenue Park to-morrow afternoon. Lafayette Gazette 9/4/1897.
From the Lafayette Advertiser of September 4th, 1869:
The Chattanooga Rail Road.
We have had the pleasure of meeting in town and in our office, Mr. John H. Ilsley, one of the officers of the New Orleans, Mobile and Chattanooga Rail Road and have had much conversation with him concerning that portion of the road which is to be located from Donaldsonville to the Teche country. Mr. Ilsley is in our Parish to make arrangements for securing the right of way from the land owners. He tells us the right of way for the division from Donaldsonville to New Orleans has been secured and also, (unreadable words) locations and grounds necessary for depots have been selected. From Donaldsonville (unreadable word) up, he is rapidly securing the right of way and finds no trouble in making arrangement with land owners. He says the works of construction will soon commence, the Company being determined to lose no time in pushing the Road into Texas and beyond. The line is to pass near Bayou Goula, and thence run to the Park, at the junction of Bayou Plaquemine with Grand River. Thence it will go, in a direction as straight as practical, to the Teche, passing between St. Martinville and Vermilionville.
An article in the last number of the South calling attention to the probability that the road might interfere with the drainage of the lands, has attracted Mr. Ilsey's notice, and he has called upon us to explain that no such result will ensue. He says the road will be built in such a manner that the drainage will not be impeded and that moreover the Company will assist in maintaining the river levees. He exhibited to us the form of the agreement entered into with the owners from whom he obtains the right of way. This agreement contains a condition protecting drainage.
The article in question is not to be taken as in opposition to the road. It was merely written as a precaution that should have some consideration. Far from being opposed to the road, we are on the contrary strongly in its favor. At the same time we wish it to pass where we think it would the least injure any one. We would like it to run across a few swamps as possible, so as to interfere less with the natural course of the water. It is for this reason that we would advocate that the road be brought up further before leaving the Mississippi river, and that it cross the Bayou Plaquemine at the mouth of the Grosse Tete instead of at the park. However, if the road is built on piling across the swamps, so as to give free flow to the waters, and if the Mississippi levees are made good, no further objection can be raised to the route thus far selected. Still, if the route is not yet fully determined upon, from Bayou Goula to Plaquemine, we would advise its location nearer the river.
Mr. Ilsley is a courteous gentleman and an able Agent of the Company, and we bespeak for him in a kind reception on the part of the people. We learn that he is associated with himself our fellow townman, Mr. Thos. E. Grace. He could not have made a better selection of an assistant. No one is better than Mr. Grace in the Parish. He is also favorably known in the adjoining parishes.
From the --Iberville South -- and in the Lafayette Advertiser 9/4/1869.
News. - A traveler passing through our Town, a few days ago remarked to us that Vermilionville was fast building up and improving, and spreading its limits. We are glad to see that fact noticed by the casual traveler. The day will come when the remark will be true and verified to its fullest extent.
Wonderful but true, our planters are seeking hands to pick the cotton which they have cultivated., They themselves and their helps will not suffice We then cordially invite all those of this and adjoining Parishes who are not already or otherwise bound, to come to us, and we can warrant them that they will find employment. Lafayette Advertiser 9/4/1869.
Weather. - The rain on our Parishes during the last week have been too abundant and some planters fear therefrom, the rot on the cotton crop, but that disease can affect if at all, but the lower bolls,m and with the bright prospects before us would still leave to our planters, the hope of a more than easy crop. Lafayette Advertiser 9/4/1869.
From the Lafayette Gazette 9/4/1897.
gLAGNIAPPE:
THE APPOINTMENT OF DEMAS.
Henry Demas, the negro politician from St. James, has been given the fattest Federal office in Louisiana. He was appointed naval officer at New Orleans by President McKinley. Democrats have nothing to say concerning Demas' appointment simply because it's not their funeral. As the Republicans they have no reason to complain. It is true Demas is rather dark, but he is thoroughly in sympathy with the principles and policies of the g. o. p. Demas' appointment means Wimberly's selection for collector of the port and the recognition of the negro wing of the Republican party in Louisiana. The Hon. H. C. Minor and his lily friends will have to be satisfied with a duty on sugar, for it is clearly evident that they stand no more show with Mark Hanna than a stump-tailed bull in fly-time. Hanna knows where the strength of the Republican party lies in the South and he is throwing out his lines accordingly. Just now the eminently practical Mark needs the coon vote in his senatorial campaign in Ohio and must demonstrate his love for the brother in black in a substantial manner; hence the appointment of St. James' dusky statesman at the present time. It may be also taken as a significant fact that the Ohio senator has retained the services of Henry Demas who will use his persuasive oratory to show the bucks of the Buckeye Commonwealth what a good friend the great Marcus Aureluis Hannus is to the down-trodden and ill-used Southern negro.
Lafayette Gazette 9/4/1897.
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