The High Price of a Liquor License in Lafayette.
The Gazette Says: "What Did We Say?"
For the information of Superintendent Latiolais The Gazette will say that it re-iterates its statement made in the issue of Nov. 5 that "a large number of those directly affected" were in attendance upon the Jury to urge a reduction of the liquor license. It is unquestionable that there was present a large number of persons who are engaged in the liquor business. It is equally true that some of those present are not peculiarly affected by this question, but the fact that they were there to urge the Police Jury to repeal the license ordinance shows very clearly that they were interested in the result. They were not interested in a pecuniary sense, but that they were interested as citizens of the parish in the settlement of a vital public question, there is not the least doubt. The Gazette did not want to say, and did not say, that all those who are opposed to a high license are connected with the liquor traffic.
The Gazette has never even intimated "that the intelligence of this parish is in favor of a high license." The Gazette has said that the action of the Police Jury "commanded the approbation of large and intelligent portion of our population." We recognize the fact that there are some eminently respectable and intelligent gentlemen in this parish who are opposed to a high license and had we made the statement that Mr. Latiolais erroneously ascribes to us we would have written yourself down a fool. We are not so narrrow-minded as to believe that all are idiots who exercise the constitutional right of thinking for themselves.
As we do not desire to discuss the liquor question with Mr. Latiolais we will not try to work out his problem about the "intellectual current." Even had we the inclination we frankly confess our inability to do so.
Lafayette Gazette 11/26/1898.
A SOLDIER HONORED.
Lieut. James A. Moss Arrives Home and is Tendered a Hearty Welcome.
Lieut. James A. Moss arrived in Lafayette last Monday on the afternoon train from New Orleans. Upon his arrival the young soldier was tendered a very flattering reception. A large crowd of people, among them the children of the different private and public schools, headed by a committee of citizens of the town, congregated at the Southern Pacific depot to await the arrival of the train. When Lieut. Moss stepped on the platform of the car he was greeted with cheers from the assemblage, the boys and girls being particularly enthusiastic expressions of joy. After shaking hands with a number of friends and relatives the lieutenant was surrounded by several hundred school children and little Inez Van der Cruyssen stepped up to him with a beautiful bouquet. He gracefully bowed in acknowledgment of the delicate gift from his young friends and admirers.
The crowd then repaired to Falk's Opera House where the reception was held. The house was well filled. As usual, when a soldier is to be honored, the ladies were there in large numbers.
Mayor Caffery welcomed Lieut. Moss in eloquent words. He spoke for the people of the town and assured the lieutenant that those for whom he spoke were delighted to greet him upon his return from the war.
At the conclusion of Mr. Caffery's address Lieut. Moss stepped to the front of the stage and spoke as follows :
"I assure you, ladies and gentlemen, that I fully appreciate the flattering things Mr. Caffery has said about me, and I regret my inability to put into Language what my heart on this occasion feels, as I look upon this assembly, before me I behold the faces of men whom I have always esteemed and respected; men who petted and spanked me when I was but the merest strippling of Lad. (Applause.)
"I behold also the faces of some of my boyhood companions. This old Opera House reminds me of many and many a time that I played hookey from school, of many and many a time that I bend my way into a show. (Applause.)
"The whole thing takes me back toe the scenes of my boyhood, to the days when I was known as "that little Jimmie Moss." I feel most profoundly touched at the reception which you have given (unreadable words) my return home after the war, and this, I must say, is the warmest ever in all my life received, excepting, or course, the day we were received at El Caney - that was not exactly what you call a warm reception. I will not at present detain you with any description of the battle, I will not enter into the particulars of how our soldiers fought and won the summit following the Star; and (unreadable word) on the fields of Cuba. I promise ..."
The rest of the article is pretty much unreadable and I can only assume that it contained a few more remarks from Lt. Moss summing it all up and thanking the audience who responded with much applause. The Gazette article continues with...
When the applause which followed the patriotic words of the young soldier had ceased, Miss Isaure McDaniel appeared on the stage with a very pretty banquet. On behalf of the Hobson Club Miss McDaniel welcomed Lieut. Moss and in felicitous language complimented him upon the gallantry he displayed upon the battlefield. At the conclusion of her address Miss McDaniel presented him with the flowers from the Hobson Club.
The reception was brought to a close by a patriotic speech from Judge Debaillon. The judge said that he, in common with the people of the town, was glad to honor the young gentleman who had been extended such a cordial greeting by those who had known him since his boyhood. The speaker referred to the splendid record made by Lafayette boys whenever they were given an opportunity to show there was in them.
Lt. Moss will spend several weeks at the home of his father and mother, Judge and Mrs. A. J. Moss. Lafayette Gazette 11/26/1898.
ABOUT CUBA.
Don Greig, a Lafayette Volunteer in Hood's Regiment, Tells a Few Things About the Cubans.
Don Greig, who returned last week from Cuba, has seen a great deal of that island and in the course of a conversation with a representative of this paper spoke entertainingly of the natural advantages of the "Pearl of the Antilles" and its half-starved and oppressed population.
As a member of Company I, Hood's Regiment, Mr. Greig had a splendid opportunity to become acquainted with the character of the native Cuban. "The condition of the Cuban soldier," said Mr. Greig, "was such to excite the sympathy of everyone, but after we had seen much of him, we were inclined to that he was not deserving of that sympathy. He is improvident, lazy and filthy and give odds to the Louisiana nigger in appropriating to his own what belongs to his neighbor there are two things for which he has absolutely no respect whatever, for the commandment against stealing. He works only when he is compelled to. He spends most of his time riding from one place to another, eating and sleeping where he can. When we were doing police duty in Santiago we had a splendid opportunity to see the Cuban as he is. Only when threatened with imprisonment would he comply with the ordinary laws of decency. Although some of them are as black as the hinges or midnight they object to being called negroes. They say they are Cubans. Should the United States annex Cuba it is questionable if the Cuban will make as good a citizen as the Southern negro. The opinion of the American soldiers in Cuba seems to be that it will take a very long time to make anything like a desirable citizen of the Cuban. Of course I refer to the lower classes.
"The country visited by Hood's men is all as rich as cream. The land so fertile that with the least exertion a living can be made out of the soil. It seems incredible, but it is a fact that no plowing as necessary to raise any of the various crops to (unreadable word) the side of that Providence-favored island is adapted. It is only necessary to dig a hole in the ground to plant cane, and when it is planted the stubble is good for ten and twelve years. Before planting the ground is generally cleared with machines. Lafayette Gazette 11/26/1898.
MARRIED.
Pellerin - Veazey.
At the Catholic church in Lafayette last Tuesday evening, Mr. Raoul Pellerin and Miss Cecile Veazey.
Brown - Scranton.
At the Catholic church in Royville Thursday evening, Mr. Samuel P. Brown and Miss May Scranton.
Lafayette Gazette 11/26/1898.
THE POLICE JURY
Decides to Submit the Liquor License Question to a Vote of the People.
Lafayette, La., Nov. 19, 1898.
The Police Jury met this day in special session with the following members present: R. C. Landry, C. C. Brown, Ben Avant, Alonzo Lacy, J. E. Primeaux, Jno. Whittington, Jr., M. Billeaud, Jr., and Alfred Hebert.
The president explained the object of the meeting to be the question of reduction of the high license tax on retail liquor dealers or the submission of the issue to popular vote as per petitions presented.
Mr. Hebert, seconded by Messrs. Avant and Lacy moved to retain the at present amount of $1,000.
Mr. Brown moved as a substitute that an election be held to ascertain the sense of the people as to whether the license shall e $200.00 or $1,000.00. Said election to be conducted without cost to the parish. Mr. Brown's motion was carried by the following vote: Yeas - Brown, Primeaux, Whittington, Billeaud, Landry. Nays - Hebert, Avant, Lacy.
The president appointed Messrs. Avant, Lacy and Hebert to act in conjunction with a like committee representing the retail liquor dealers with authority to appoint commissioners and fix the date for said election.
There being no further business the Police Jury adjourned.
R. C. LANDRY, President.
R. C. GREIG, Secretary.
Lafayette Gazette 11/26/1898.
Selected News Notes (Gazette) 11/26/1898.
Dr. Fred Mayer, of Opelousas, was in Lafayette this week.
Mrs. T. P. Caillouet has leased her plantation near town to O. B. Jenkins of Jennings.
Don't fail to attend the Carencro fair. It will take place to-day and to-morrow.
Frank Jeanmard and Louis Stelly were among the Carencro-ites in Lafayette this week.
Mr. Baulard, of Galveston, is visiting his brother-in-law, Mr. Walter J. Mouton.
Mr. Ambroise Mouton, the real estate agent, spent the week at Alexandria. Mr. Mouton carried with him some agricultural exhibits from this parish.
Hon. R. C. Landry brought us a sugar-cane which has 28 joints. It is safe to say that the cane raised in this parish can compare favorably with that produced in any other section.
Pellerin Bros. have engaged the services of the well-known and experienced mixologist Jack Preager.
Mrs. Johnson, of Opelousas, was the guest of Mrs. T. N. Blake at the Cottage Hotel this week.
Ozemee LeBlanc, Jr., left this week to enlist in the United States army as a regular. Young LeBlanc was one of the boys from this parish who enlisted as a volunteer at the beginning of the war.
From the Lafayette Advertiser of November 26th, 1870:
Baton Rouge Riot.
In the riot at Baton Rouge two negroes were killed, and in consequence fifty white citizens of the place have been arrested and are now in confinement in this city. At Donaldsonville two white citizens were murdered by negroes and no arrests have been made. One negro, the ringleader, was arrested, but released by one Van Ornum, a United States Commissioner, who caused the arrest of the white citizens of Baton Rouge. The United States officers and soldiers afford protection to negroes, but they have none for the white people of the South.
From the Com. Bulletin and in the Lafayette Advertiser 11/26/1870.
Houston-N. O. Railroad Update. - The Houston Telegraph says: We have more solid hope now of an early completion of the railroad connection with New Orleans than we have ever had. Before the first day of January, 1872, trains will be running between that city and this. This may be regarded as a certainty. Within three years, too, we may expect railroad connection Northward, and then Texas will indeed be the most prosperous State in the Union.
From the Houston Telegraph and in the Lafayette
Advertiser 11/26/1870.
City Council of Vermilionville.
Special Session of Nov. 14th, 1870.
Present; W. O. Smith, Mayor; Members: Messrs. R. L. McBride, A. Monnier, Wm. Brandt and H. Landry. Absent: Messrs. B. A. Salles, J. H. Wise and E. Gagneaux.
The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and approved.
On motion, it was resolved, that the Assessor proceed immediately to assess all taxable property within the limits of the Corporation.
On motion, the Council adjourned to next regular meeting at 4 o'clock p. m.
W. O. SMITH, Mayor.
H. M. BAILEY, Secretary.
Lafayette Advertiser 11/26/1870.
From the Lafayette Advertiser of November 26th, 1907:
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS LODGE ORGANIZED.
State Deputy Young Assisted by New Orleans Team Initiate About Seventy Candidates.
Archbishop Blenk Takes Part in Ceremonies of Initiation. Had Banquet at Close at Brown News Hotel.
The banner lodge of the State of Knights of Columbus in regard to charter members was organized here Sunday by State Deputy Geo. W. Young, the membership being about 70. The New Orleans team assisted and there were a number of visitors from neighboring towns. The candidates for initiation at the Bank of Lafayette building about nine o'clock and the visitors met at the Century Club. They formed into a procession and marched to St. John's church where a special high mass was said by Fathers Girault, Teurlings and Sarrazin and at about half past ten Father to the candidates and visitors repaired to the Jefferson theatre where the ceremonies of initiation took place. About 2 p. m. Archbishop Blenk arrived from Youngsville, where he confirmed a class, and took part in the initiation. After the initiation, which lasted until about 9 p. m., there was a fine banquet at the Brown-News Hotel. The Archbishop during the evening made an eloquent and greatly appreciated address to those present.
Yesterday the Archbishop confirmed a class in Broussard and to-day will return to Lafayette to preside over the conference of the Lafayette district. About twenty priests will be present and they will be entertained at the residence of Father Teurlings. This will close the Archbishop's tour of the Attakapas and he will return to New Orleans to-morrow.
Among those who took an active part in organizing the Lafayette lodge were Father Teurlings, F. G. Mouton, Pierre Gerac and Mayor C. O. Mouton.
Lafayette Advertiser 11/26/1907.
Pictured above: The former Knights of Columbus hall at 720 St. John St. It is now occupied by Gulf Coast Mortgage.
lagniappe #1.
THE BEST THANKSGIVING.
Just one kind word in true compassion
spoken,
May cheer some soul nigh fainting by
the way.
May heal some hearts by sorrow almost
broken,
And usher in the dawning of a brighter
day.
Then let us speak that word of joy
and gladness,
The rose is blessed by yielding its
perfume;
There is no heart that may not suffer
sadness,
That one sweet work of "Peace be
still might keep and save from gloom.
Just one true smile with cheerful
radiance beaming,
May guide some soul thro' sorrow's
dismal night,
To see stars beyond the hilltops
gleaming.
Resplendent in the dawning of a new
day's light.
Then let us cheer the pathway of the
lowly,
Reflect the beauty of a brighter day;
On us shall fall the smiles of angels
holy,
As upward whose whom we have
blessed may hold their way.
A word, a smile, a prayer of
friendship's token,
Are better far, than feasts of carnal
joy.
To mend by love an honest heart
that's broken,
Is better than the gain of gold
without alloy.
Then let us all go forth with hearts of
gladness,
And with the poor our comforts freely
share;
If but a smile may drive away their
sadness,
Oh! let us give that word or smile or
earnest prayer.
- Stella M. Breaux.
Lafayette Advertiser 11/26/1912.
lagniappe #2.
A Government Air Line.
Washington, Nov. 22. - James Longstreet, commissioner of railroads, in his annual report yesterday calls attention to the general prosperity in railroad affairs, and recommends that the government construct and operate a first-class, double-track to San Diego, Cal., by air line route. This, he says, will open the shortest line measured by the map from Boston, New York and Philadelphia to the Pacific coast and near the coal fields of the east and the west this side of the Rockies and making the most direct line from our great commercial centers to the Sandwich islands and the Phillippines.
Original source unknown. In the Lafayette Gazette 11/26/1898.
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