From the Lafayette Advertiser of May 30th, 1903:
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE.
The closing exercises of the second session of the Industrial Institute opened last Friday evening with the joint session of the two literary societies and the annual contest for the Julian Mouton medal. Miss Almy Gulley of the Avatar society presided. Miss Aimee Thibodeaux read admirably one of Harris's stories in Uncle Remus. Miss Adelyne Foerner recited in a highly creditable manner a selection from Othello; the glee club followed with a pretty chorus, after which came the debate. Mayor Caffery, Mr. F. V. Mouton and Rev. A. C. Smith were appointed as Judges; the question was : Resolved that women should be granted the right of suffrage; affirmative, Miss Rhena Boudreaux and Miss Annie T. Bell; negative, Mr. Fred Voorhies and Mr. Earl Hatfield. The question was ably discussed, each of the young students meriting the applause given by the audience. The judge's decision was in favor of the negative; but the medal was awarded to Miss Bell, here debate being judged the best.
The exhibition of the year's work in all departments was held on Saturday last from 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock. A large number of people visited the Institute on that occasion, and it is only to be regretted that every father and mother in the parish of Lafayette did not inspect the Institute on that day. Our space will not permit more than simply to mention the departments so interestingly represented by their exhibits; the domestic science classes represented by the work in sewing, including a large assortment of dresses, undergarments, etc., all made by the students; the manual training department with its varied exhibits in drawing and work in wood and iron; the art department and its display of beautiful free hand and color work; the commercial department and penmanship work with a full exhibit of the work done in those lines; the laboratories, chemical and physical, where a number of interesting experiments were conducted for the benefit of the visitors; the stenography, English, mathematics, and other subjects, also represented by papers showing at a glance the work done by the sessions.
On Saturday night President Edwin A. Alderman of Tulane University delivered an address on education as a part of the closing exercises of the school. The large Auditorium was filled to its utmost by people from far and near. Sontag's military Band rendered several beautiful selections as part of the program. Misses Gladu and Montgomery played a beautiful duet on the piano, "Midsummer Night's Dream." Mr. Alderman's address is one of the best ever delivered from the Institute platform, and it met with a warm response from the hearts of all present.
On Sunday afternoon at 5 o'clock, Rabbi Max Heller, of Temple Sinai, New Orleans, delivered the sermon to the graduates. The address of the gifted divine was a master effort in its clearness, force, and appropriateness, and showed that in Dr. Heller the Jewish Church has a man remarkable for the strength of his intellect and for the force of logic.
Monday evening at eight o'clock the class exercises were held. After a selection by the Sontag Military Band, the class proceeded to impeach one of the Institute's instructors. After a brilliant argument for the State by Miss Gulley, and an equally admirable and eloquent defense of the prisoner by Miss Ula Coronna, the jury rendered a verdict of guilty, whereupon Judge Harold Demanade sentenced the accused to perpetual exile. P. J. Voorhies was the sheriff, and William Parkerson Mills the clerk. The other numbers on the interesting and original program were a piano solo by Miss Maxim Beraud; the class prophecy by Miss Rhena Boudreaux; music, Sontag's Band; auction sale by Potier J. Voorhies; vocal duet by Misses Gulley and Boudreaux; presentation of class gifts by Miss Annie Bell; Class Song, and surrender of the 03's.
The graduation exercises proper took place last Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock. Sontag's Military Band assisted on the program. The valedictory was delivered by Miss Annie Bell to whom this honor fell as a reward for her excellent scholarship. Miss Bell weas followed by the '03 Glee Club who sang a beautiful selection. President B. C. Caldwell then delivered the address to the graduates. Mr. Cladwell's speech is one of the most practical ever listened to by the people of Lafayette, and one pregnant with sober, serious thought. In our opinion the address delivered by President Caldwell is one that might well be read before every graduating class of the entire country for this and many years to come.
Mr. Caldwell was followed by Lieut. Gov. Albert Estopinal who presented the Julian Mouton medal to Miss Annie Bell. Governor W. W. Heard then delivered the diplomas and certificates, preceding the award by words of congratulations to the members of the class and of commendation to the people of Lafayette parish, for their deep interest in matters educational. Governor Heard presented diplomas as follows: Academic course; Annie T. Bell, Maxim A. Beraud, Rhena Boudreaux, Harold Demanade, Alma L. Gulley, H. D. Smedes, W. P. Mills, P. J. Voorhies. Manual Training Course, Jacques Domengeaux; Domestic Science course, Miss Edith Trahan; Stenography Course, Miss Ula Coronna; Commercial Course, M. T. Ball; Valsin Benoit; J. M. Chiasson; E. F. Hatfield; P. T. Singleton; D. C. Smith and Frederick Voorhies; and a special honorable mention in commercial studies of Wilton Tilly. The exercises were concluded with a brief prayer led by Rev. A. C. Smith.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1903.
CLOSING EXERCISES
Lafayette High and Primary Schools.
Last Thursday evening the closing exercises of the Lafayette High and Primary schools were held in Parkerson Grove. An immense concourse of people gathered to witness the exercises. The Sontag Military Band lent their services, and with their delightful music added greatly to the pleasure of the occasion. The exercises were opened by Prof. LeRosen, who in a short speech spoke of the progress of the schools, the great increase in attendance, and the urgent necessity for more room, stating that it would be only a short time before the children and their friends would ask for a new building. At the close of the speech the first number of the program was rendered, consisting of a brilliant piece called the Sun God by pupils from the 5th and 6th grades, which was a success. "Songs" by the little tots of the Primary School succeeded and evoked much applause. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1903.
FIRST COMMUNION SERVICES.
First Communion services were held at St. John's Catholic Church on last Thursday. The altars were tastefully decorated for the occasion and the church filled with children all clothed in white presented a beautiful appearance.
The Sontag Military Band was present and led the parade of the children which took place before they entered the church, into which they filed in order and occupied the seats assigned. The services were beautiful and impressive and the special song service added greatly to the significance of the occasion. Rev. Father Forge conducted the services assisted by Rev's. Dontre, Rayne; Giraud, Patoutville; Jouan, Iberia; Bardy, Jeanerette; Rochard, Mauriceville; Louis Castel, New Orleans; Bollard, Charenton; Roger, Church Point; Peeters, Jennings; Placidus Zarn, Loville; Stockalpher, Grand Coteau, Grimaud, Carencro; Thebalt, St. Martins; Vanderbilt, Delcambre; Vanderbrook, Cypremort; Mertens, Loreauville; Engberink, Opelousas; also Jules Jeanmard, Jr., prospective vicar for St. John's Church after his ordination to the priesthood next month.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1903.
Base Ball.
The Lafayette Juniors went to Opelousas last Sunday where they crossed bats with the local team. The Lafayette boys soon demonstrated that they were the stronger team, but nevertheless, the game was interesting, the score was 12 to 9 in favor of the Lafayette team. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1903.
Married.
Married at St. John's Catholic Church at Lafayette Thursday, May 28th, Miss Mary Nydia Campbell daughter of Hon. Wm. Campbell, District Attorney of Lafayette parish and Mr. J. Horace Mouton, son of Mr. Edmond Mouton. Many were the friends who attended the ceremony and many were the wishes of happiness expressed for the young couple. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1903.
Crossed Bats.
The Lafayette Juniors went to Opelousas last Sunday where they crossed bats with the local team. The Lafayette boys soon demonstrated that they were the stronger team, but nevertheless, the game was interesting, the score was 12 to 9 in favor of the Lafayette team. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1903.
GRAND BALL!
Given by the
BROTHERHOOD OF RAILROAD TRAINMEN.
All aboard for the 13th annual Ball to be given by Morgan Lodge 3117 Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, at Falk's Opera House, Lafayette, La., on June 25th, Admission 50 cents, Ladies free.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1903.
Selected News Notes (Advertiser) 5/30/1903.
Postmaster J. R. Domengeaux visited Alexandria this week on business.
Miss Cora Martin after spending several days with friends in Lake Charles returned home last Tuesday.
The Women's Literary Club held an interesting meeting with Miss Lea Gladu on Saturday.
Most of the boarding pupils of the Industrial Institute left for home Tuesday, the remainder left on Wednesday.
Mr. Ralph Voorhies is erecting a handsome residence near Mr. Wm. Campbells, when completed it will be one of the finest in town.
Mr. J. J. Mouton has opened a real estate office near the court house.
Mr. and Mrs. Crow Girard entertained Gov. Heard during his attendance at the commencement exercises.
Dr. and Mrs. N. P. Moss entertained President E. A. Alderman of Tulane, while he was in Lafayette. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1903.
From the Lafayette Gazette of May 30th, 1903:
SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES - GOV. W. W. HEARD DELIVERS THE DIPLOMAS - ADDRESSES BY DR. ALDERMAN, RABBI MAX HELLER, AND PRESIDENT B. C. CALDWELL.
The commencement exercises of the second session of the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute were held in the beautiful and spacious Auditorium, beginning Friday evening, May 22, and concluding with the graduation exercises proper last Tuesday May 26. Among the proninent visitors to the institute during commencement week there were Governor W. W. Heard, Lieut-Gov. Albert Estopinal, Dr. Edwin A. Alderman, president of Tulane University, Rabbi Max Heller, Temple Sinai, New Orleans, president B. C. Caldwell of the State Normal School, Professor Brown Ayres, dean of the School of Technology, Tulane University, and Professor Elsworth Woodward, director of the Art Department of Sophie Newcomb College.
The exercises on Friday night consisted of a joint session of the two literary societies, the Attakapas and the Avatar, and a debating contest for the Julian Mouton medal. On Saturday the annual exhibition and inspection of the Institute's work in all departments took place, and this was followed on Saturday night by President Alderman's address, Sunday at 5 p. m., Rabbi Max Heller, Temple Sinai, New Orleans, delivered the sermon to the graduates; and on Monday evening the class of 1903 entertained their friends with an original and interesting program.
The graduating exercises were held last Tuesday at 10 a. m. The stage of the Auditorium was beautifully decorated with ferns, vines, and flowers. The audience included friends of the Institute and relatives and friends of the students from all parts of Southwestern Louisiana. The graduates, eighteen in number, occupied the first row of chairs in front of the stage.
The program was begun with a selection by the Sontag Military Band, after which the valedictory was delivered by Miss Annie T. Bell. The honor of being valedictorian had been conferred on Miss Bell as a recognition of her superior scholarship at the Institute. The Glee Club followed with a double quartet which was well received. President Caldwell then delivered the address to the graduates. he was greeted with a warm applause when he stood before his audience, and from the first captured with ease the attention and interest of his hearers. Mr. Caldwell's address was one of the most intensely practical and earnest that it has ever been our pleasure to hear. Throughout its length it was replete with the best of common sense with clear thoughts, and with the force of logic. President Caldwell's address was a searching examination into the elements of true manhood and womanhood as they should be developed in such an institution as the Southwest Louisiana Industrial Institute. The five things expected of the Institute's graduates, as stated by the speaker, are scholarship, as shown by a knowledge of the English tongue, of business methods, and of the world and nature about us; skill or efficiency, and the ability to do things; culture, the capability of appreciating what is right and fit as well as of enjoying what is good and beautiful; fitness for intelligent and active citizenship and readiness to serve the state; and last, but most important of all, the speaker argued that the seal of a true and nobly character should be impressed upon the life of every graduate, and that no education is profitable that fails in this respect.
Mr. Caldwell was followed by Lieut.-Gov. Estopinal who presented the Julian Mouton medal to Miss Annie Bell, the winner in the contest held Friday evening. Miss Bell responded briefly to the presentation in an appropriate manner.
Governor W. W. Heard then followed with a brief address to the graduating classes and the awarding of the diplomas and certificates. Gov. Heard complimented the people of Lafayette upon their active interest and zeal in matters of education; and congratulated the young people before him upon the evidently good influences that had been shed upon their lives within the walls of the Institute. Diplomas were then awarded to the following students: Academic course, Annie T. Bell, Maxim A. Beraud, Rhema Boudreaux, Harold Demanade, Alma K. Gully, Henry DeKoven Smedes, William Parkerson Mills; Manual Training course, Jacques Domengeaux; Domestic Science course, Miss Edith Trahan; Stenography course, Miss Ula Coronna. Certificates in the Commercial course were awarded to Munger T. Ball, Valsin Benoit, J. Mentor Chiasson, Earl F. Hatfield, Perry T. Singleton, D. Clarence Smith, Frederick Voorhies. Honorable mention of Mr. Wilton Tilly was made in commercial branches.
The following was the program rendered on the occasion of the joint session of the Attakapas and Avatar Literary Societies, on Friday night: Piano Quartette, Misses Thibodeaux, Williams, Roy and Belanger: Reading from Uncle Remus, Miss Annie Thibodeaux; Violin Solo, Prof. Sontag. Reading from Othello, Miss Adelyne Toerner; Piano Solo, Miss Genevieve Mouton; Debate: Resolved, That Woman Should Have the Right of Suffrage. Affirmative, Misses Boudreaux and Bell; Negative, Messrs. Voorhies and Hatfield; History of the School Year, first half, Miss Marcelle Blot. Decision of the Judges; and song by the Glee Club. Space forbids our giving a detailed account of these interesting numbers, but special mention must be made of the debate on Woman Suffrage, and the histories for the first and second half of the school year, and the violin solo by Prof. Sontag. Miss Bell's really fine effort in support of the affirmative side of the question of granting the franchise to women reflects in a manner the serious work that has been going on among the faculty and students of the Industrial Institute since its inception. To our mind, nothing is so conducive to the best interests of our boys and girls in public debate - teaching them to stand up before the world and to express their thoughts in a free and untrammeled way. The decision of the judges was in favor of the negative side of the question which gave this part of the victory to the Attakapas Society, but they awarded the Julian Mouton medal for the individual debate to Miss Annie Bell, of the Avatar Society.
Saturday night Dr. Edwin A. Alderman, President of Tulane University, delivered a forceful and powerful address on education. His eloquence, logic and inimitable humor captured the audience at the very outset. His speech was a priceless contribution to the cause of education in the parish of Lafayette, and in Southwest Louisiana. A full and more detailed account of is given below.
The annual meeting of the Board of Trustees, scheduled to take place on Monday, at 4:00 o'clock p. m., was postponed to some future date, no quorum being present. Those present to attend the meeting were Governor Heard, Hon. Albert Estopinal, and Prof. Brown Ayres; Governor Heard being also to award the diplomas to the graduates. Among the most entertaining features of the commencement exercises were the class night exercises of the class of 'o3. The program opened with music by the Sontag Band; then followed by the "Impeachment Trial of Prof. V. L. Roy, including Geometry and Physics." This was very entertaining and highly original in every way. Miss Alma Gully as district attorney made a strong argument for the State; and Miss Ula Coronna for the defendant made an eloquent appeal to the jury eliciting warm applause from the audience. There then followed a piano solo, by Miss Maxim Beraud; Class Prophecy, Miss Boudreaux; Music, Sontag's Military Band; auction sale, P. J. Voorhies; song, Miss Boudreaux; presentation of Class Gifts, Miss Annie Bell; class song, surrender of the '03's. Dr. Stephens, in accepting the banner from the class of '03, expressed the appreciation of the Industrial Institute for the faithfulness, the loyalty, the good conduct, and the good work of the first graduating class, and promised that its banner should be held in honor and as in inspiring example to all succeeding classes.
The several programs of the exercises were eminently successful, which was in greatest measure due to the untiring energies and zeal of Miss Edith Dupre, instructor in English and chairman of the committee on commencement exercises.
The attendance upon the the annual exhibit of the different departments of the institute has been one of the largest in the history of the school. For four hours, from 10 a. m. to 2 p. m., the inspection continued, people coming and going constantly.
The one and one-third rate given by the Southern Pacific from all points between Lake Charles and Morgan City, and the great interest that attaches to the address delivered by Dr. Alderman, contributed towards the large attendance.
All departments of the institute are represented in the exhibition. In regular academic work written exercises were displayed in the library and class rooms. The English papers covered the work of the four year course; the stenography and typewriting exercises were admirably arranged, showing at a glance the progress of students through the two year course. In geography, history and mathematics the display was likewise interesting and instructive.
The exhibit of the classes in freehand drawing was highly attractive. This work has been in charge of Miss Emily Huger, a graduate of the Sophie Newcomb Art School, and has proved eminently successful at the institute. One of her main purposes in the work has been the cultivation or originality among the students. To this end she has required original exercises in designs for wall paper, tiles, book covers, etc. Some of the most artistic of these were made at the final examinations. The book covers display a most interesting variety of color and outline. In this work the student has been required to read the book and then work out the design; and only a close examination of the exercises can reveal how creditably the students have done. Among these designs for book covers, the following should be mentioned: "On the Red Man's Trail," which has an artistic display of Indian implements and weapons; "A Rainbow of Gold," among the mountains with the prettiest sky for a background; "In My Lady's Garden," among flowers and beautiful pathways, and "Songs of the Night," the melodies of the black cat and his friends.
A special feature of the art work has been its correlation with the work in manual training and domestic science. The young ladies have been required to prepare original designs for table covers, doylies, embroideries and other artistic productions of the sewing room, and these when approved have been worked out by the same students in the sewing classes. In the same way, freehand designs for wrought iron work were submitted by the young men, and afterwards the articles were made in the forgeshop. These include designs of door gratings, fire irons and stands, and iron tables.
Another interesting feature of the work in art is the manner in which one art idea is developed and adapted to suit different conditions. The value of this principle in art education has not always been discerned. It leads to a breadth of view and an originality in design that must be highly valuable to the student. As an illustration of this principle, taken from the art exhibit, the dandelion was worked into a conventional outline which was then applied as the basis of wallpapers, book covers, tiles and embroidery and other designs for the sewing school, all of which was done by one student.
The exhibit of the manual training department was made in the building devoted to that work. This department now comprises instruction in wood work and iron. The equipment for the former consists of a fifteen-horse power engine, six lathes, a scroll saw and a circular saw, a planer and thirty work benches of most improved design. The forgeshop is equipped with twelve downdraft forges and anvils, with complements of tools, a drilling machine, emery and grindstones, and other necessary appurtenances.
The exhibit of this department, which is in charge of Ashby Woodson, a graduate of the Miller Manual Labor School of Virginia, comprised mechanical drawings, and exercises in wood and iron. The drawings on display included exercises in geometrical drawing, section and shade lines, freehand and mechanical lettering, isometric work, orthographic projections, elementary machine designs such as shaft couplings, rivets, rivet joints, and parts of lathes. From the lathe drawings patterns were made in the shop. The drawings also include tracings and blue prints of exercises made in class, such as plans of buildings designed and drawn by the students.
The wood works exhibit consists of exercises running the entire course - from elementary joinery to well-finished pieces of house-hold furniture. Among the latter exercises is included the following list: Book shelves, tables of different designs, a writing desk, a hall rack, a combination bookcase and desk, a hatrack, a chiffonier, several dressers and washstands, two armoirs, medicine cabinets, and a bedstead.
The display of exercises made in the forgeshop consists of several frames in which the exhibit is neatly arranged, besides other pieces of work such as iron stands. The framed exhibit comprises a number of forgeshop exercises, chains, rings, joints, hinges, and a complete set of machine lathe tools. The best finished and most skillfully-made products of the forgeshop during the past session are a hammer and a hot cutter made by Charles Wellman and Ellery Wellman of Crowley, two of the brightest students in the manual training work.
The article, however, around which the greatest interest attached is an 18-foot boat made by some of the students in the third and fourth year classes. This product of the manual training department is wholly creditable to the makers. The plans for the boat were made by the boys under the direction of the instructor, and the entire work was executed by the students.
The exhibit of the domestic science department, which fills the same place in the courses for girls that the manual training does for the boys, was made in the sewing room, an ample and well-equipped room 25x40 feet, and in the dining room and kitchen of the cooking school. The exhibit of the sewing class was the most popular among the lady visitors. The display was divided into two parts, showing first and second year work.
The first comprised a large number of simple exercises, called sample work, arranged in books for inspection. Each piece of work involved some stitch or other element and was accompanied by an instructive set of directions as to its uses and purposes; the next set of exercises consisted of suits of undergarments, in making which all the elementary principles of the previous work were put into practical use. The exhibit of the second term of the first year consisted of baby dresses and other pieces of apparel, involving find band sewing, all made by hand. The remainder of the first year course consists in lessons in taking measurements, drafting, cutting, fitting and designing, all of which was applied to making a thin, unlined dress by each student. These dresses showed a variety in design that was interesting to the visitors and highly creditable to the young ladies of the sewing school. On commencement day each of these students work the dress designed and made by herself.
The second year course in sewing involves, first the designing and making of a winter dress, after which follows advanced work in hand sewing, lace making and embroidering. Altogether the exhibit of this department is meritorious along all lines, showing a course that is valuable, alike for the skill it insures in the cunning art of sewing, for the originality it involves in designing and constructing, and for the intensely practical nature of the entire set of exercises required at the hands of the student.
The domestic science department in in charge of Miss Gertrude Mayfield of Ruston, La., a graduate of the Louisiana Industrial Institute and of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N. Y.
The work of the commercial department was on exhibit in the large bookkeeping hall on the third floor of the main building. It comprised compete sets of books as worked out during the session by a class of thirty students. These sets were divided into three parts: first, the initiatory; second, the advanced set; third, banking. The initiatory set involved the use of the day book, journal, ledger, cash sales, bill and check books, and comprised different kinds of businesses, such as retail general merchandise and commission and consignment.
The advanced set consisted of a preliminary course in single entry bookkeeping, and changing from single to double entry course involved the use of the following books: The main sales, and purchase; ledgers, the accounts payable book, the special column and installment journal, the special sales book, and the commission time sales book. These books were used in different sets as follows: Jobbing business, manufacturing set, commission business, sewing machine, business, and coal set. This part of the course concludes with a joint stock business. The course in banking, while somewhat elementary, is one that must prove highly valuable to any young man who is to be connected with a bank in any way. This course involves the use of the usual banking books, and the exhibit of the work if creditable to the instructor and the students.
Another exhibit of the commercial department, which was of much interest is that of the classes in penmanship. The exercises of a number of students, taken at intervals during the course, were submitted for inspection, and showed such an improvement as leaves hope with the most awkward handler of the pen.
The commercial course during this session has been under the direction of J. W. S. Lillibridge, a graduate of East Greenwich, (R. I.) Business College, and a student for two years in Brown University.
The chemical and physical laboratories were also opened for inspector. In the former a number of students conducted experiments during the hours of the exhibition; different gases were on hand, and their properties were shown to the visitors and modes of preparation explained. Other experiments of special interest were made. The chemical laboratory is a large room, with four improved tables, having over sixty lockers and provided with water and basins.
The experiments in the physical laboratory were also of a highly interesting nature, covering some features of every part of the subject. Illustrations of important principles in magnetism and electricity were given by the instructor, and some of the students, and a variety of pieces of apparatus made at the institute were exhibited, among them a small electric motor. The physical laboratory is equipped with six tables for student's use, designed especially for the experiments in physics, and an instructor's table provided with water and electricity. The supply of apparatus is adequate to the requirements of the course. V. L. Roy of Avoyelles parish, a graduate of the Louisiana State University, and special and of the University of Chicago, directs the work in chemistry and physics.
The remaining work of the Industrial Institute is academic, consisting of the regular secondary school subjects. It is conducted by Miss Edith Garland Dupre of Opelousas, graduate of Newcomb College; L. W. Mayer of Opelousas, graduate of the Cincinnati School of Phonography, who also has charge of the stenography course; Edmund B. Smith of Nova Scotia, graduate of Harvard University, and Miss Hugh D. McLaurin of Mississippi, graduate of the Louisiana State Normal School. Miss McLaurin also has charge of the gymnasium for girls, giving them a thorough course of exercises during the year - following the Swedish system as taught by Miss Clara G. Baer in Newcomb College, and in the Monteagle Summer School. Miss E. F. Montgomery of Crowley, graduate of the Louisiana State Normal School, and of the Cincinnati Conservatory, has the work in music, which is making an excellent showing in all of the commencement programmes.
It is impossible to give any adequate account of Dr. Alderman's masterful address in behalf of the education of all the people; he spoke without manuscript and with the most ready fluency, eloquence, and magnetism of speech and voice. But the cause for which he pleased so strongly is too great and important for such an address to go unreported, at least in part.
He began by expressing pleasure upon having the opportunity to visit Lafayette, stating that he had great respect for a community and parish that would tax itself as this one has in behalf of education, and one that would act so promptly and effectively in getting such an able and trained superintendent of schools as Mr. Alleman - whom he regarded as one of the best parish superintendents in the State. He stated that he would not argue that education is a good thing - everyone admits that is is a good for his child; and if it is good for one man's child, it is good for his neighbor's child also. He purposed only to join in with those who were urging for still more and better education that we already have; and the respect that he already felt towards the progressive educational spirit of this section would still be further enhanced when the proposed three-mill parish tax for schools is carried next month. But Democracies have to want something before it comes to them - they have to be persuaded; you cannot compel a people to be educated. In a despotism one can imagine millions of people sent to school through the mere signing of an order by some Czar; not so in the United States - the public education idea has to grow, slowly, surely, triumphantly. Times was when the public school was looked upon as a charity concern - only for paupers - "free schools for the poor", which might better have been characterized as "poor schools for the free." But now that notion is almost entirely lost; the spirit of Democracy is gradually expressing itself. The whole problem of the education of the people as been waiting upon the world's recognition of childhood. The child has just begun to take the prominent place in the world's attention; those great in art and literature in the past centuries seemed never to have seen the little child - even Shakespeare saw none. But not it is childhood that is the center of the stage; and men are seeing the importance of the immense possibilities lying dormant in the little ignorant, helpless babe - transformable by a few years of right training into the Newton, the Bismarck, of the Gladstone.
Ignorance, the speaker most powerfully said, is a curse; it never did a noble act, never wrote any poem, never painted any picture, never pointed to any ideal; it makes a man a slave. Show me an ignorant man, and I will show you a man; who is a slave to some more intelligent man you may not, see him or know who he is, but he is there. An ignorant community, or an ignorant State, is a slave to some more intelligent community or State. Times was when the whole country was tributary, industrially, to a little piece of territory and population up in the Northeast - the New England and neighboring States. Almost everything men used had to be purchase from there; a Southern or a Western dollar started rolling towards New England almost as soon as it was earned, and never stopped till it dropped into the pocket of some shrewd fellow there - who had learned how. But that time has passed; we have caught the trick; we are informing ourselves of our great resources and and taking possession of our own. We are educating both the hands and the brains of our young men and young women, and fitting them for life and life more abundantly.
How, the speaker asked, may this democratic people best provide these necessary educational opportunities for their children? Through taxation. The work taxation is a bug-bear to some people - and they will oppose it, whether good or bad. The are like the Irish police-man who went to the menagerie; when he saw the great snake, the boa-constrictor, in a cage, he reached through the bars and whacked it over the head with his big stick, and when the proprietor of the show remonstrated, saying the snake was harmless and had cost him a ten-thousand dollars, the Irishman replied "I don't care - I hit 'um wheriver I see 'um, bedad!" Of course, there may be bad taxation - it may be tyranny; half the wars of the world have been over the matter of wrong taxation. Yet right taxation may be a blessing - and, in fact, is the most beneficent principle ever discovered or applied in governmental affairs - self taxation of all for the common good.
Perhaps the strongest portion of the address was that directed to those who object to self-taxation for schools. The speaker described several unmistakable kinds of these - such as are to be found in almost any community; and his answers to their position were most entertaining and convincing. First, where is the man who has no children, and does not think he ought to be taxed to educate some other man's child; that man overlooks how much he, himself, has had to depend upon the citivilized society of his fellow men for the opportunities and advantages he had in his own bringing up, schooling, and living - he forgets that man does not live alone, but in the society of his fellow-man; he thinks that the school can do no good to him unless, he, or his own child, attends it; such a man would have to go the penitentiary in order to realize the benefit of the taxes he had to pay for the support of that institution! In the second place, we have the man who doesn't "believe in the education of the masses;" to which the speaker replies with the question, who has bee set apart by the Almighty as a committee to determine who are the masses, and who not? Where are the masses? Suppose a man chooses to believe that he and his children are not masses; who shall say that they are - not that therefore they shall not have any education? Then again there is the man who says that we have schools already, and that they are not doing any good; and he doesn't propose to waste any more money on such poor schools. This man is like the Irishman who refused to buy a feather-bed after having given it only a partial trial; having been advised by a friends that a feather-bed would be a good investment, he bought a bed-tick and put into it about two pounds of feathers, and used it this way for one night; on being asked about it the next day, he wouldn't have one if they gave it to him - for "if those few feathers made him feel that bad, what would it be if he had a whole big feather-bed?" The remedy for poor schools with little means, is more means for better schools.
The speaker further showed that money voted for schools is actually an investment that pays in wealth-production and power for the community, state, or section voting it. Statistics from States and comminities providing handsomely for education show the highest per capita o of wealth and of wages - because a better grade of work in all lines is done by an instructed people than by an ignorant people.
In conclusion, President Alderman rose to the greatest height of eloquence in his tribute to the battle scarred veteran of the Confederacy, who had fought so brave a fight for his country and lost - who, notwithstanding all the loss, the desolation and the hardship, had put himself grandly to the work of rebuilding the home and fireside of the his people, the civil government of his community and State, and the School house for the education of his children; and the last appeal of the address was that we should act the part of men and women worthy of these fathers and grandfathers, carrying forward the work they are leaving with us, as, one by one, they may now lay down their arms. Lafayette Gazette 5/30/1903.
THE CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS AND THE SPECIAL TAX.
Lafayette, La., May 28, 1903.
As there seems to be certain designing persons in the eighth and second wards who are trying to deceive the illiterate taxpayers of this parish, I deem it my solemn duty to call the attention of the public to the cheap stuff in the shape of arguments the people in these communities are being stuffed with. These arguments raised against the proposed special school tax are:
First. That if the tax is voted all the country schools will be closed.
Second. That after the closing of the country schools a mammoth school-house will be built at Scott and all the children transported there.
It is, of course, unnecessary to refute these arguments because they are absurd. But nevertheless they are believed by certain tax-payers who are not in a position to get at the truth and for this reason the friends of education should be on their guards. The School Board of this parish has never considered the consolidation of schools nor the transportation of children; and the only grounds for the wild rumors are these:
1. Some months ago I received 300 pamphlets from the United States government which clearly demonstrated the advantages of consolidating schools when too near each other. It also showed conclusively that it was best for the parish and best for the children to consolidate weak country schools with one teacher, into strong central schools with three or four teachers where the country children could go and learn something instead of losing their time as they now do in the average country school in Lafayette parish.
The government pamphlet thinks it best to transport the children even at an increased cost to a good strong school rather than waster the public money in an inefficient one such as is found in the South to-day. In addition to having freely distributed this excellent pamphlet among the farmers and representative citizens of the parish, I have always advocated consolidation and transportation as the only remedy for our inefficient country schools, and after an experience of twelve years with country schools in charge of one teacher, I am convinced that as a rule they are a failure. As an honest man I consider it my duty to express my honest convictions on a question so vital to the public school interests of the parish; but I am not the School Board And the United States government pamphlet is not the School Board. The School Board has never considered the question of abolishing the present system of schools and hence it is absurd to say they intend to abolish them.
2. Some months ago a tornado blew down an old shack which had been dignified with the high sounding name of the "Whittington School." It was a second-rate barn and God in his wisdom chose to smash it in the night, thus sparing the lives of some twenty-five innocent children. This left the children with life, but no school-house. So Mr. Alcide Judice and Dr. Moss, two men who have given freely of both their money and time for the cause of education, said to the School Board, these children are entitled to an education notwithstanding the fact that their school-house has been blown down. We will furnish the hack if you pay a man and his team $30 a month for the transportation of the children to the nearest school. After a long discussion the Board finally consented to pay for the transportation of these children until the Board had funds sufficient to build a decent school-house to replace the shanty that was known as the "Whittington School."
All of these rumors have been circulated by a few teachers of the first, second and eighth wards who are deathly afraid of anything that smacks of a reform movement, and by one solitary citizen in the eighth ward who holds, a responsible public position and who openly claims to be a friend of education and consequently of the people, but who does underhanded work of the nature described above.
I have unlimited confidence in the common sense of the people of Lafayette parish and hence believe that the people will vote the small tax of two cents per acre for the education of their children. The proposition is simple and will win on its merits. The very fact that the few opponents have been working in the dark is sufficient proof that there is no valid argument against the education of the children of this parish.
But the ballots with the voter's name and his assessment on the back will be a permanent record in the court-house and will show who is "for" and who "against" progress, enlightenment, and education.
L. J. ALLEMAN.
City Council Proceedings.
Lafayette, La., May 4, 1903.
Amendment to Charter.
The City Council of the town of Lafayette, La., shall have power to provide for the prevention and extinguishment of fires and to organize, establish and maintain as fire department and to regulate the same; to establish fire limits to regulate, restrain or prohibit the erection of wooden buildings within such limits as may be prescribed by the ordinance, and to provide for removal of same at the expense of the owner thereof when erected contrary to the ordinances of the municipality; to appoint a fire marshal, who may be the mayor or town marshal, with power to remove and keep away from the vicinity of any fire all idle and suspicious persons lurking near the same, and to compel any person present to aid in the extinguishment of said fire, or the preservation of property exposed to the danger of the same, and in preventing goods from being purloined threat and with such powers and duties as may be prescribed by ordinance. Also to regulate the storage of powder, pitch, turpentine, rosin, hemp, hay, cotton and all other combustible and inflammable materials and the storing of lumber in yards or lots within the fire limits as may be prescribed by the ordinance, and the use of lights and candles in stables, shops and other places to remove or prevent the construction of any fire place, chimney, stove, oven, boiler, kettle or any apparatus used in any house, building, manufactory or business which may be dangerous in causing or producing fires to direct the construction of deposits for ashes and generally said City Council shall have power to do and cause to be done whatsoever may be needed and required to prevent and extinguish fires in said town.
A vote being taken on above the result was as follows: Yeas: A. E. Mouton, J. O. Mouton, F. Demanade, G. A. DeBlanc. Nays None.
There being no further business the Council adjourned.
CHAS. D. CAFFERY, Mayor.
LOUIS LACOSTE, Secretary.
Lafayette Gazette 5/30/1903.
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From the Lafayette Advertiser of May 30th, 1896:
THE ADVERTISER'S TELEPHONE.
(caller) Hello! What is the best make of typewriter I can buy?
Why I think the Blickensderfer No. 5 is the best, for the money, in the market. See advertisement in another column. Mr. C. H. Lusted handles them. Call on him.
(caller) Hello. Who wants bicycles on easy terms? I sell them for $15, cash, and the balance in installments of $10 per month. I have bicycles ranging in price from 60 to 75 dollars. I also sell buggies of all grades and prices. H. D. Engleman.
(caller) Hey Advertiser! As an old resident of Lafayette and as an observing person I want to say that I have generally found the store of Moss Bros. & Co. all right, and I have come to prefer dealing there to any other place in town. Of course, I have good reasons for my preference, the chief one being the full value I always get for my money. I have learned to know that whenever I paid less for an article at another store than at Moss Bros. & Co's for a similar article, it was because the article was worth less. In other words, I have observed that in every case where there was a difference in price between an article kept by Moss Bros. & Co. and another store, there was a corresponding difference in quality and, as cheap goods are high at any price, I practice economy by buying the better quality, for which I am always willing to pay a fair price. A merchant must make a reasonable profit on his merchandise because that is what gives him his living and any preference is decidedly for the store that makes a uniformly fair profit on every article sold that the store that sells one article at cost, or below cost, as a bait, and everlastingly socks it to you on something else you buy at the same time. Such a store is compelled to make the profits average up in some way and that is the only way it can be done. Excuse me for taking up so much of your time, but I got started and thought I would finish up. Goodbye.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1896.
Ruckus at the Jail.
The quietness of the Sabbath was disturbed last Sunday morning by a row of considerable violence which occurred in the parish jail, between several of the negro prisoners in which one, transferred to this jail from Franklin, charged with murdering his child, was mortally wounded by a blow on the skull inflicted with a bucket. The victim also received knife wounds about the throat. Dr. Gladu was immediately summoned and the wounds were dressed. The assailant when informed that he had inflicted injuries upon his victim which would probably result in death, gruffly responded that he "didn't care." The participants are all bad characters and they will no doubt receive their just deserts, at the next convening of the court. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1896.
A Contest.
A contest, which is stirring up much popular interest, that will soon turn into active canvassing, is to take place at an entertainment to be given at the Mount Carmel Convent some time in June, at which the young ladies will compete for a gold watch, to be awarded to the one receiving a majority of votes as the most popular young lady. Votes are to be solicited at large; and the campaign is announced as open.
The fair young aspirants for popular favor will launch immediately into the exciting arena of public electioneering, with all the enthusiasm and ardor, but needless to say, without the scheming and unfairness, with which their confreres of the sterner sex plunge into the wilder whirl of political competition. Those declared for the contest are Misses Bella Judice, Florence McKeon, Celina Duplan, Nita Trahan, Angela Romero and Althea Deffez. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1896.
New Saloon.
Mr. Philbert (bebe) Crouchet is erecting a two story building near Paul Demanade's store. The lower portion of which will occupy as a bar room. Mr. Crouchet intends to put in new bar fixtures, and will have one of the nicest saloons in town. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1896.
Nuptials.
Wednesday was the occasion of a most charming wedding which was solemnized at St. John's Catholic Church at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The contracting parties were Miss Cora Guidry and Arthur Leblanc. The church was well filled with friends and spectators who gathered in pleasant throng to see the happy couple united in the holy bonds of wedlock. Immediately after the ceremony, the bridal party set our for Abbeville, the home of the groom, where the reception was held. We extend out congratulations, and happy wishes for a prosperous union. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1896.
Selected News Notes (Advertiser) 5/30/1896.
Mr. Frank McBride has resumed his old position behind the counter of Mr. A. M. Martin's saloon.
"Past Time" is the name of a beautiful waltz for piano by A. J. Montainet. For sale at the Advertiser office.
Dr. F. R. Tolson has commenced work on his new residence, which is to be erected adjoining the one he now occupies.
The Business Men's Association will meet on Monday, to elect officers for the ensuing year. Other important business will be transacted.
The young men of town expect to give a grand pic-nic in Doucet's woods to-morrow. Doubtless it will be largely attended, and all will enjoy a pleasant Sunday's outing.
The City Council will meet next Monday to elect a Treasurer, Secretary and Chief of Police. We hope the council will make wise and judicious selections in the appointment of these officers.
Mr. Henry Gerac has brought to our office a beautiful specimen of cotton which was raised on his plantation. The stalk measure 34 inches in height, and has several blooms.
H. A. Irion dentist, office next to Moss Bros. & Co. Hours 9-1 and 3-5. Telephone No. 30.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1896.
From the Lafayette Advertiser of May 30th, 1893:
THE RAILROAD ELEMENT IN LOCAL POLITICS.
Until the present time the ADVERTISER has refrained from taking sides with either of the parties who were candidates at the late municipal election. But the events of the last few days have left no option in the matter, and we believe it is now one duty to call the attention of our people to the "writing on the wall," that they may fully realize the menace to good government contained in the action taken by some of the defeated candidates.
The official returns of the election showed that those gentlemen who now hold their commissions, were elected, and the defeated candidates should have abided by the returns, and we believe they would have done so had they been governed by unselfish and patriotic motives and a desire to advance the best interests of the town.
The great trouble with municipal elections is the present system of voting, which allows a minority faction - the railroad element - to hold the balance of power. Out of 300 voters in round numbers about 80 are railroad men, and they have tried to fill the same position in local politics that New York state has occupied in National affairs, and by forming a ring, have tried to defeat the will of the majority.
On the defeated ticket were three railroad men, two of whom appear as signers of the petition for a trail contest. We do not believe that it was the will of the people that a faction of less than 80 voters should have three councilmen and the balance of 220 voters only four, and our belief is supported by the returns. It is always poor policy for the tail to attempt to fly the kite, and in this instance it defeated the tail.
If the railroad, or common ring composed in part by railroad men, are determined to continue in their present course, it will become necessary for the future safety of good government of our town, to divide it into wards, allowing each ward to elect its own councilmen.
Of course many of the railroad men were not in the ring, nor could they be induced to join it or vote for its candidates, even by threats - consequently the ring was defeated.
It would only be right to have the interest of the railroad employes represented in the council, but their attempt to dictate to the community and force themselves into office after being defeated, should be condemned by all good, law abiding citizens. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1893.
COMEDY OF ERRORS.
The Defeated Candidates for Municipal Offices Pray the Court for a Contest Trial.
Ever since the municipal election, which was held on May 1st, the air has been full of rumors and counter rumors that the election was to be contested by the defeated candidates, not withstanding these rumors the successful candidates received their commissions from the governor and were duly qualified, which led many to believe that the idea of contesting the election had been given up. On Monday, however, the matter, like Banquo's ghost, again came to the surface in the shape of an order from Judge A. C. Allen ordering a trial of the case on August 14th. We print to petition of the defeated candidates, together with the order of the Court for a jury trial:
To the Honorable Judge of the 17th, Judicial District Court holding session in and for the Parish of Lafayette, La.
The petition of Alfred Bonnet, James Hannen, Alfred Hebert, F. C. Triay and Henry Church, all of the Parish of Lafayette and the town of Lafayette in said state, with respect shows that on the first day of May, 1893, an election was held in said town for may and seven councilmen, as provided by the charter of said town and amendment thereto, to serve for a term of two years.
And petitioners further show that they together with Felix Demanade and Frederick Mouton, as candidates for councilmen and Julien Mouton as candidate for mayor, constituted a ticket and class of voters and as such were voted for at said election; that they received at said election, from the qualified electors of said town, the following vote, namely:
Julien Mouton, for mayor, received one hundred and thirty-six (136) votes.
Felix Demanade, for councilman received one hundred and forty (140) votes.
Frederick Mouton, for councilman received one hundred and forty (140) votes.
Alfred Bonnet for councilman received one hundred and thirty eight (138) votes.
James Hannen for councilman received one hundred and thirty eight (138) votes.
F. C. Triay for councilman received one hundred and thirty seven (137) votes.
Henry Church for councilman received one hundred and thirty-six (136) votes.
And petitioners further represent that the following persons constituted another class of candidates or ticket and were voted for as such at said election to-wit:
William Campbell for mayor and the following seven named persons for councilmen: I. N. Satterfield, A. S. Caillouet, J. O. Mouton, A. Cayard, A. M. Martin, A. Clause, and Wm. Guchereau, and that according to the returns made by the commissioners who held said election, they received the following vote to-wit:
Wm. Campbell for mayor received one hundred and forty three (143) votes.
A. T. Caillouet for councilman received one hundred and forty one (141) votes.
J. O. Mouton for councilman received one hundred and forty-one (141) votes.
A. Cayard for councilman received one hundred and thirty-nine (139) votes.
A. M. Martin for councilman received one hundred and thirty-eight (138) votes.
A. Clause for councilman received one hundred and thirty-seven (137) votes.
Wm. Guchereau for councilman received one hundred and thirty-seven (137) votes.
And petitioners further represent that said election was held under the charter of said town and amendments thereto and under the general laws of the State applying to elections; that is is especially provided by law that in all elections by the people, for offices under political charters granted by the General Assembly, the qualifications of voters shall be the same as those prescribed at the time being, by the constitution of the State for electors of representatives of the General Assembly.
And petitions further show that the returns made by the commissioners of said election are incorrect, erroneous and illegal, in this, that various persons voted thereat who were disqualified and incompetent, under the laws applying to said election and should not have been allowed to vote thereat; and that the following named; incompetent and disqualified persons voted at said election: Gaston Landry, F. J. Smith, Frank Clark, Odressi Hebert, Gabriel Beadle, Henry Clark, J. A. Lebesque, E. J. or A. J. Ross, C. L. Scherbs, and J. Danos or Danos, and C. W. Thornton, that according to the list of voters, kept and returned by the commissioners of elections said persons voted under the following numbers to-wit: Gaston Landry under number 68; F. J. Smith under 147; Frank Clark under 160; Odressi Hebert under 190; Gabriel Beadle under 198; Henry Clark under 201; J. A. Lebesque under 288; E. J. or A. J. Ross under 259; C. L. Scherbs under 260; J. A. Danos or Danos under (unreadable) and C. W. Thornton under (unreadable).
Petitioners represent that the said persons ... (several unreadable sentences) ... said persons were non-residents of said town and not qualified to vote at said elections; that each of said persons, though their right to vote was challenged and denied at the polls was permitted to vote and did vote at said election; that they each and every one voted for the class of candidates and tickets of Wm. Campbell, and Satterfield, Caillouet, J. O. Mouton, A. Cayard, A. M. Martin, Clause and Guchereau; that on account of the illegal voting of said persons, plaintiffs desire to contest and do now contest the election of councilman of the town of Lafayette, for the term ending May 1895, of the following named persons who have been erroneously returned elected viz: I. N. Satterfield, A. F. Caillouet, J. O. Mouton and A. Cayard; and they further contest and deny the claim of A. M. Martin to a tie vote with Alfred Bonnet and James Hannen, plaintiffs herein, that said vote and poll being purged by the rejection of the said eleven illegal votes, there remains a clear majority of the legal votes cast at said election if favor of each of your petitioners and they were fairly and legally elected councilman for said town for the term ending May 1895, and judgment should be rendered accordingly.
They aver that there was fraud and error in said election in that, said incompetent and disqualified voters, falsely represented to the commissioners of said election, that they were residents of the town of Lafayette, and legally qualified voters at said election and said commissioners were led into error by said false representations, and were thereby induced to permit said persons to vote in despite of the challenge and denial of their right made at the time.
Petitioners further show that said offices are worth to each the sum of seventy-two dollars.
They further show that said defendants have caused to be held an election on the 22d of May, to decide the tie which erroneously appears on the face of the returns between James Hannen, Alfred Bonnet and A. M. Martin, having received the nine or more of the said illegal and incompetent voters, there was in truth and fact no tie between said persons, but said Bonnet and said Hannen were fairly and legally elected councilmen at the election held on the 1st of May 1893 and the election held on the 22d of May 1893 was and is for said reason absolutely null, void and of none effect.
Petitioners further show that no regular term of your honorable Court is to be held in the Parish of Lafayette within five weeks of the time of filling the petition, and it becomes necessary that a special term of Court be called and held in the manner provided by law in the Parish of Lafayette, and the plaintiffs desire a jury trial of this case, and it will be necessary that your Honor should order the Jury commissioners to draw a special panel of fifty voters of the Parish of Lafayette, from which a jury may be drawn to try this case, as provided by law to serve as jurors for said special term.
Wherefore premises considered, petitioners pray that said Isaih N. Satterfield, Augustus T. Caillouet, John O. Mouton, Albert Cayard, and Andrew M. Martin be duly cited to answer this petition; that after due proof of the premises the votes of said Gaston Landry, F. S. Smith, Frank Clark, Odressi Hebert, Gabriel Beadle, Henry Clark, J. A. Lebesque, E. J. or A. J. Ross, C. L. Scherbs, J. A. Danos or Danos and C. W. Thornton, be rejected and deducted from the number of votes shown by the returns, to have been received by Satterfield, Caillouet, Mouton, Cayard and Martin, and that they be adjudged and decreed not to have been elected councilmen, and that your petitioners be adjudged and decreed duly elected councilmen of said town to serve for the term ending May 1895, or until their successors are qualified, that a jury be granted them and that they be inducted into office with the right to exercise all the rights and authority thereto appertaining.
They pray for general relief in the premises:
By their attorneys,
THOS. H. LEWIS,
CHAS. D. CAFFERY.
STATE OF LOUISIANA,
PARISH OF LAFAYETTE.
Before me the undersigned authority came and appeard Frank C. Triay and Henry J. Church who being duly sworn depose and say, the allegation of the foregoing petition are true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.
FRANK C. TRIAY,
HENRY J. CHURCH.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 25th day of May A. D. 1893.
W. B. BAILEY,
Clerk of Court.
ORDER.
The prayer of the above and foregoing petition being considered, it is hereby ordered that a trial by Jury asked for in the above entitled and numbered case by plaintiffs be granted.
It is further ordered that the Jury Commissioners of the parish of Lafayette meet according to law, and draw a special Jury, according to law of fifty voters of said parish, for the second Monday, the 14th of August A. D. 1893, from which a jury may be drawn to try this case.
(Unreadable words) 1425 of the Revised Statutes, because said term would conflict and interfere with regular terms would conflict and interfere with regular terms of this court already fixed in the parishes of St. Mary and Vermilion.
Granted in chambers this 27th day of May A. D. 1893.
A. C. ALLEN,
Judge 17th Judicial District Court.
Filed May 29th, A. D. 1893:
H. C. WALLIS,
Deputy Clerk.
I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the original petition and order on file and of record in my office.
Witness my hand officially and my seal of office at Lafayette, La. this 29th day of May A. D. 1893.
W. B. BAILEY,
Clerk of Court.
The new Council decided to go ahead with their businesses as if no trial was to take place, and Mayor Campbell notified the members that a meeting would be held at 4 o'clock p. m. At the appointed time the newly elected councilmen, together with the mayor, assembled at the City hall where they found Sheriff Broussard awaiting them, who served each member with the following formidable (?) and startling document:
To William Campbell, Mayor, and F. Demanade, F. Mouton, Councilmen; and I. M. Satterfield, A. Caillouet, J. O. Mouton, A. Cayard, and A. M. Martin, Acting Councilmen, Town of Lafayette, Louisiana.
GENTLEMEN: - You are hereby notified that the undersigned claim to have been legally elected Councilmen of Lafayette at the election held May 1st, 1893, and that they institute suit to establish their right in the premises.
They hereby notify you that any action taken by you as an official body will be liable to be annulled and that when their right to take their places as Councilmen shall have been established by the Court, any election of officers or contract made by yourselves for the Police of the Town of for any purpose that will be liable to be annulled at the pleasure of the Council legally constituted.
ALFRED BONNET,
JAMES HANNEN,
ALFRED HEBERT,
F. C. TRIAY,
HENRY CHURCH,
By their attorneys:
THOS. H. LEWIS,
CHAS. D. CAFFERY.
May 29, 1893.
The council proceeded to organize and appointed the different committees, and elected a city marshal, as will be seen by the official minutes published elsewhere.
It is to be regretted that the defeated candidates deemed it necessary to take this action, especially at this time, when Lafayette is making every effort possible for advancement, as it will not redound to the credit of our city abroad; but such, we suppose, is "Jefferson Democracy."
Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1893.
Sanitary Work.
One of the first things that should engage the attention of our new city council is the sanitary condition of our city. The summer season is here and it behooves our authorities to give attention to our streets and ditches, as well as the condition of the yards and premises of private individuals in the city. Telegraphic dispatches show that cholera has again made its appearance in two town in the south of France, and were the disease find ledgement in this country, no one can tell to what extent it would spread all over our land.
There is more or less malaria in Southwest Louisiana all the time, and unless we keep our town in a clean and healthy condition, it would offer a good field for the spread of an epidemic. If cholera was once introduced here. As we are on the line of a great railroad, engaged in transportation emigrants across the country, we would be in danger of having the cholera brought here, if it once made its appearance in the United States.
But aside from a cholera standpoint the general health and safety or our city demands that the streets and ditches and the grounds of private citizens should be in a clean condition at all times.
Another thing that should be done at once is the establishment of a public market, and the public slaughter house outside the city. The markets, located in different parts of the town as they now are, cannot but be detrimental to the public health. A slaughter house should be built outside the corporation and all the butchers compelled to their killing therein. We believe that were a public market house established that the result (unreadable words) council will prove a progressive one, and we predict that during their term of office more public improvements will be made in Lafayette, than has been made during the past ten years. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1893.
Dr. Martin Visits Former Residence.
Dr. G. A. Martin formerly of Breaux Bridge and now of Lafayette, has just paid a visit to his family and his numerous friends in this town. The Dr. is perfectly satisfied with Lafayette and thinks it has a glorious future before it. Although lately established there by his talent and energy he has already secured a large and considerable practice. He is a great advocate of a good road between here and Lafayette and thinks that the interests of both towns are so linked together that no effort should be spared to bring them into closer community. Before his departure, Dr. Martin was one of the leading citizens of this place and he seems to take the same lively interest in the progress of his now place of residence as he did in his former one. From the Valley of the Teche and in the Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1893.
Gathered Near Broussardville.
The following gentlemen composed the party of picnickers (and a jovial set they were) who spent last Friday at the Cadet St. Julien spring near Broussardville, fishing and otherwise enjoying themselves: Judge O. C. Mouton, Dr. F. C. Latiolais, Dr. N. P. Moss, Martial Billeaud, Martial Fabre alias Sorrel, A. A. Labbe, Edward Estorge, T. M. Biossat, Jules Girourard, Joe Girourard, Valsin Broussard, Alex. Billeaud and Geo. Malagarie.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1893.
Cane in Lafayette Parish.
We were part of a meeting held by the following named gentlemen last Monday morning in the Director's room of the People's State Bank, in this city to discuss the cane interests of the parish: Messrs. V. E. Dupuis, C. C. Brown, of Carencro; Mr. Alcide Judice, of Scott; Mr. Aurelian Olivier, of Royville. Messrs. Thos. Singleton, Major J. S. Mouton, N. P. Moss, Chas. O. Mouton, Judge O. C. Mouton, Crow Girard and J. Ed. Mouton. The cane industry was thoroughly discussed and it is believed that much good will result from the consultation.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1893.
To the Penitentiary.
Lewis Chambers, the man who was implicated in the Robertson murder case and condemned to be hanged with Louis Mitchell on the 24th of March, at St. Martinville, has been taken to the penitentiary. He had been granted a respite by the Governor Foster, and on last Saturday his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1893.
EDITING A COUNTRY NEWSPAPER.
Editing a newspaper is a pleasant business - if you can stand it.
If there is a lack of advertising it is unpopular and the people won't have it.
If we stay from church they say we are monstrously heathenish.
If we attend church regularly they say we go for effect.
If we accept an invitation to a wedding they say we are invited to "write it up."
If we go to the opera house they say we go on free tickets.
If we are seen on the streets too often they say we neglect our business.
If we avoid going on the streets they say we don't hustle after the news.
If we reject a long winded communication its author becomes furious and stops his paper.
If we publish lengthy communications our readers say we lack discretion and put anything in "to fill up."
If we fail to decorate our office on Washington's birthday they say we lack enterprise, and that there is not a drop of patriotic blood in our veins.
If we swell out in a new suit they say we got the clothes "on tick" or advertising and that we are by far too foppish.
If we sometimes perpetrate a joke, or make a stagger at a poor little pun, they say it is exceedingly light and won't do.
If we omit jokes they say were are miserable old fossils.
If we publish a man who has brought disgrace upon his family, the friends and relatives of the family never forgive us.
If we, out of goodness of heart, decline to say anything about the it the man's enemies are disappointed and we are branded as a white livered coward.
We are able to stand these raps and many more, and always ready to receive visitors, whether accompanied by a dog or not. Of course we do not claim there is any work in running a newspaper; everyone knows it is a snap. - Ex.
Original source unknown. In the Lafayette Advertiser of 5/30/1893.
Women and Weddings.
How the women do love a wedding. It doesn't matter much whose. Who can explain the why and the wherefore?
- Lafayette Gazette.
The whyness and whereforeness of this love, Bro. Thomas, is accounted for in the fact that the young lady attends to get pointers, the old maid to criticise, and the married lady to see if the bride looked "as pretty as I did" - Rayne Ranger.
Brother Gazette's query and Brother Ranger's answer give evidence of a curiosity inexcusable and a malicious misconception, wholly unpardonable. But both show very little knowledge of the sex to which they suppose their wives belong. What makes a man love horses, woman kind, and his own comfort? It's nature pure and simple, and its the naturalest nature ever made by the Creator for woman to love a wedding; not for reasons given by Mr. Ranger, though. Now as to why it is nature, if there is any man so obtuse as not to know the "whys and whereforness" of this question - why, we don't believe there are any. - Washington Argus.
Are you not a just a little severe dear broth - sister we mean - An old bachelor is not supposed to have a clear understanding of the motives that actuate the "dear divinities" - It may be that at some future day when the above mentioned brothers have seen the error of their ways, and taken unto themselves wives, that they will learn all about the whyness and the whereforness of the subject.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1893.
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.
Lafayette, La., May 29, 1893.
Thee Mayor and members elected at the last election for City Council having received their commission and being duly qualified met in special meeting for the purpose of organizing. Members present, Wm. Campbell, Mayor, John O. Mouton, I. N. Satterfield, A. T. Caillouet, F. Mouton, A. Cayard, A. M. Martin. Absent member, F. Demanade.
The message of the Mayor was read and on motion was ordered to be printed and form a part of the minutes.
To the Members of the City Council.
GENTLEMEN: - Before entering upon our duties, I have thought it proper to deliver this message in order to transmit to you a few ideas and suggestions.
It is a well known, established principle that every undertaking to be well carried out, either in public or private affairs should first have a solid foundation. Well upon assuming our new duties as members of this council our motto should be justice to all, vigilance to the interest and welfare of our City and exactness in performing our duties without fear, hope or reward.
The most essential committees of this body are the Finance and Street and Improvement Committees. It is also very essential that a Sanitary Committee be formed.
Now in regard to our police force, my opinion is that it should consist of a day and night police; that there be a Marshal and two deputies, one to be on duty during the day and one night and both the supervision and appointment of the Marshal. That the sum of One hundred and fifty dollars per month be paid to said police force, that is Fifty dollars to the Marshall and Fifty dollars to each deputy. I will also suggest that a Police Board be formed composed of the members of this body and the Mayor for the purpose of passing upon all and any dereliction or complaint brought to this board.
I will also call the attention of the body to the work performed by our predecessors. The finance of this City is in a very healthy condition; the corporation is, without debt and there is over thirteen hundred dollars in the treasury. The drainage of the town is perfect; the streets, bridges and sidewalks in good condition; fifty new lamps illuminate the streets and lately a donation of Two hundred and fifty dollars has been made for the benefit of the High School. I hope and trust that at the expiration of our term in office, our showing will not be less creditable.
Hoping that our united efforts will all tend to effect the advancement, progress and welfare or our City, and that our intercourse will prove to be harmonious.
I remain respectfully,
WM. CAMPBELL.
The following was unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, the Charter of the Town of Lafayette with amendments thereto, provides no salary or per diem for the services of the members of the Tow Council, and
WHEREAS, we deem it proper that the old rule "No Salary" should be adopted in order to carry out the views of our constituents, and in order to apply all the revenues of the town to its improvement and progress, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this Council believes that under the law they should draw no salary and they do hereby agree to draw none for their services.
The appointment for officers being in order it was moved and seconded that a Marshal be elected who shall appoint two deputies and the salary of the Marshal and each deputy shall be and is hereby fixed at $50 each per month.
On motion duly seconded John Vigneaux was duly elected Marshal.
Moved and seconded, that A. Neveu be reelected secretary and treasurer with a salary of $150 a year.
On motion duly seconded, Resolved that the Lafayette Advertiser be declared the official paper of this body with a salary of $150 a year.
The Mayor then appointed the following committees, to wit:
Finance Committee - Fred Mouton, Albert Cayard and A. T. Caillouet.
Streets and Improvements Committee - I. N. Satterfield, John O. Mouton and A. M. Martin.
Police Board Committee - Wm. Campbell, Mayor and ex-officio member with John O. Mouton and A. T. Caillouet.
Sanitary Committee - Fred Mouton, F. Demanade and A. M. Martin.
Moved and seconded that the regular meeting of this body be and is hereby fixed for the second Monday of each and every month.
On motion the council adjourned to next regular meeting.
WM. CAMPBELL, Mayor,
A. NEVEU, Secy.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1893.
Local News Notes 5/30/1893.
A sneak thief went through several rooms at the Crescent Hotel last Saturday evening, but did not secure much plunder.
When ye go to Ye Old Folks Concert on ye 5th day of ye month of June be sure all ye buttons are sewed on, for ye will bust ye side laughing.
Messrs. F. Lombard and Crow Girard went to Lake Charles last Friday, and returned home Monday.
Mr. P. L. DeClouet returned from Lake Charles last Saturday where he had been for one week attending to business interests.
The Right Reverend David Sessum's, Bishop of Louisiana, will make his annual visitation to the Episcopal church of this place on Thursday, June 1st, to administer the right of confirmation. Celebration of the holy Eucharist, at 11 o'clock a. m. in the Presbyterian church.
Our sweet little musician Elsie Partidge will be the Pianis-er at Ye Old Folks Concerts; she will play that new fashioned instrument called a Piano-forte she will make a noise on it.
Mr. Arcade Gauthier, a prominent planter of St. Martins, was in Lafayette last Tuesday, and paid us an appreciated visit. He, like all good and true citizens, joined the ADVERTISER family. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1893.
From the Lafayette Advertiser of May 30th, 1874.
THE FLOOD.
Water Gradually Receding.
[From the Brashear News of the 23d]
Since our last account from the Teche and other bayous we learn that the water is slowly declining, and at this place we are gratified to report a fall of one and a half inches during the past week.
Rations- Owing to non-receipt of meat from the General Relief Committee, caused by detention of cars on Morgan's Railroad at Terrebonne Station, meal and bread rations were issued until to-day, and to-morrow meat will be issued, and the number of rations will be equal to that of last week.
The Local Relief Committee gave transportation and fifteen days' rations to ten immigrants from Bayou Boeuf to the high lands of Lafayette parish.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1874.
Practical and Permanent Relief.
The N. O. Picayune notices in complimentary terms, the proceedings of a meeting of the citizens of Vermilion, on the 17th inst., in the interest of the victims of the overflow. Our esteemed contemporary calls upon other parishes to follow this admirable example. It is with pardonable pride, that we can announce that this "very sensible and humane project" was inaugurated in our parish at a mass meeting held on the 26th of last month. The committee appointed to carry out the objects of that meeting, with M. E. Girard, Esq., as chairman, have been quietly, but actively at work and have already accomplished valuable results. They have provided quite a number of sufferers from the inundated districts with good homes and facilities to enable them soon to maintain themselves, and have room for many more. They offer these unfortunate people, houses, lands, teams, tools, medical attendance, medicines and other advantages, all without charge.
It is with pleasure that we see other parishes are adopting our project and we claim for the people of the parish of Lafayette, the credit of originating and carrying it into practical effect. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1874.
State vs. Levy Columbus.
ACCUSED OF RAPE.
This case having excited considerable public interest, we give below the substance of the decision of Judge Moss, on the preliminary examination. The State was represented by J. A. Chargois, Esq., District Attorney, and the defendant by E. E. Mouton, Esq.
DECISION:
There is no doubt that an outrage was committed upon the person of Mary Guidry. It was just after dark and there was moon-light. The testimony of Mary Guidry and Celeste implicates the accused. When the man seized Mary, Celeste ran away. They both say they were greatly frightened and recognized the accused as the man. This evidence would be sufficient to hold the accused for trial, although the principal witness (Mary Guidry) her testimony by subsequent correction and explanations, after hearing other witnesses testify. But the main fact established by the witness for the State, that the accused committed the outrage, is denied and controverted by the positive evidence of Bowman and Jean Louis, corroborated to some extend by Francoise, who all stood the test of a strict and searching cross-examination. The contradictions in the testimony of the witnesses for the defence, on minor points, are not considered of such a nature as to affect its credibility. At the time the outrage was committed, it is proven that the accused was at his house. It is more reasonable to suppose that the two frightened women were mistaken in the identity of the man, than that the other witnesses perjured themselves.
Without considering other points raised by the defence, those reasons are deemed sufficient to entitle the accused to a discharge, and it is so ordered. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1874.
City Council of Vermilionville.
Special Session, May 23rd, 1874.
Present: A. Monnier, Mayor, and Councilmen Landry, Revillon, McBride, Salles, Bourges, Chargois and Mouton.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
Alex. Billeaud tendered to the Council his resignation as Constable and Collector, and asked that the same be accepted and his bond cancelled.
On motion it was resolved, That his Honor the Mayor, be and is hereby authorized to call on Mr. T. Bernard, and demand formally of him, whether or not he is willing to abandon his rights whatever they may be, to the office of Constable and Collector.
Mr. Bernard being present stated in answer to the call of the Mayor, that he did abandon whatever rights or pretensions, he may have to said office.
On motion it was resolved, That the resolution passed at the last meeting of the Council, in regard to putting the office of Constable and Collector to the lowest bidder, be and the same is hereby repealed.
On motion it was resolved, That the salary of the Constable and Collector, be and the same is hereby fixed at One hundred and fifty dollars.
U. A. Hebert, presented an account of $2.1o, for services rendered as commissioner of election, which on motion, was laid over until next meeting.
On motion the Council adjourned to Monday the 1st day of June.
A. MONNIER, Mayor.
H. M. BAILEY, Secretary.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1874.
Selected News Notes 5/30/1874.
lagniappe:
The all-seeing Eye.
With the new eye which science has recently given us, some of the hitherto most closely guarded secrets of Nature are clearly unveiled. Through it the dark becomes light, and the opaque transparent. When the world was startled with the results of the Roentgen ray we predicted that we were on the eve of discoveries in the physical and spiritual world unequaled in human history, and at no distant day the photographic plate would cease to be a necessity in recording the image, as science would perfect some process by means of which the eye could follow the rays through hitherto impenetrable substances. Edison has already reached that point. With the powerful cathode light behind his patient he gazes through a screen of prepared chemicals and sees every organ of the body as plainly as he sees the dishes on the dinner table. The fluorescent substance used in the screen are tungsten and calcium. These two elements are fused in a furnace, and at a proper degree of heat form little crystals. These crystals are glued to a piece of paper by a transparent celluloid paint, and form a coating whose sensitiveness is six times greater than a similar coating of platinum barium cyanide.
If the subject stands very close to the light the body is imperfectly transparent, and nothing whatever is seen. The light goes through bone and everything just as sunlight goes through glass. If the patient steps a foot or two away from the light the human skeleton stands revealed. A step further from the light and the muscles, tissues and organs of the body appear as plainly as if there were on outside covering the flesh. We can thus, by changing the focus, diminishing or increasing the light by a larger or smaller number of tubes, see just as much or just as little as we desire.
A man comes to a surgeon with a bullet in his arm; the surgeon takes his X-ray lamp and his fluorescent screen and locates the bullet. He looks through the arm, through the bone if necessary, and sees just where the bullet is lodged. The bone may be fractured. The ray is turned on, and the surgeon is no longer compelled to pull and twist, for he can see the fracture with his open eyes, and can readily join the parts together as the cabinet-maker can unite pieces of wood to form an almost invisible joint. No photograph is needed for the fluorescent screen, and the rays have made darkness visible. If these rays had been turned on the stricken Garfield, the track of the bullet and the bullet itself might have been seen, and possibly save the life of the President saved.
These onward steps in science necessitate a corresponding change in college curriculum of study and the aids to investigation in hospital and private practice. Hereafter every well equipped college and every well equipped hospital must include in their facilities for study and work bacteriological culture and the Roentgen ray with Edison's fluorescent spectacles. The attention of scientists is now being directed to the action of the ray upon that germ-life which kindles into active force so many forms of disease. What at first seemed a mere scientific toy is opening one of the broadest avenues of scientific investigation upon which the mind has every entered.
In this connection the recent statement of Mr. Denshah, one of the few remaining followers of Zoroaster, in a recent lecture, is of interest, from his high position as a general scientist and electrical expert. Mr. Denshah identified the X-ray as one manifestation of what has for several thousand years been known to Eastern scientists as astral light, the seventh dimension of matter. He said that Western scientists were several thousand years behind the times; and predicted that as a result of Edison's experiments with X-ray he would soon be able to see through fifteen feet of solid matter. - From the New York Medical Times, April, 1896, p. 115 and in the Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1896.
From the Lafayette Advertiser of May 30th, 1874:
THE FLOOD.
Water Gradually Receding.
The Brashear News of the 23d says: Since our last account from the Teche and other bayous we learn that the water is slowly declining, and at this place we are gratified to report a fall of one and a half inches during the past week.
Rations. - Owing to the non-receipt of meat from the General Relief Committee, caused by detention of cars on Morgan's Railroad at Terrebonne Station, meal and bread rations were issued until to-day, and to-morrow meat will be issued, and the number of rations will be equal to that of last week.
The Local Relief Committee gave transportation and fifteen days' rations to immigrants from Bayou Boeuf to the high lands of Lafayette parish. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1874.
A QUESTION FOR THE COUNCIL.
Shall we have cows or gardens, or both? The depradations of animals within the corporate limits of our town have soon so extensive and serious, as to cause a general demand for some remedy. Our City Council have very properly relieved us, to a great extent, of the damages and inconveniences occasioned by hogs and dogs. Cows and other animals have become more destructive and greater nuisances than these. It is admitted that cows and milk are a necessity to some persons, but gardens and vegetables are of more importance to others. These animals do not graze at night, unless upon a neighbor's garden, and are allowed to obstruct the streets and side-walks. It is true, that the owner is liable for damages caused by his animals, and a man may protect his property by violent means, but such expedients excite and involve litigation, turmoils and ill-feelings, which should and can be easily avoided and discouraged by simple and feasible municipal regulation.
We therefor suggest a compromise, which will certainly be satisfactory to all interested. Let the Council require the owners of animals to confine them at night, under such regulations as to make the remedy effective. There are many reasons in favor of this proposition and scarcely any against it, and we are convinced it would receive general approbation. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1874.
Police Jury.
Next Monday is the regular time for our Police Jury to meet. Among the matters which claim attention, we would make special mention of the necessity of providing safe and free crossing of the Vermilion bridge and timely reparation of the bridge and causeway, and of raising the means of, at, defraying the urgent and necessary expenses of the parish, also of the long needed repairs to the Court House, the continued neglect of which will eventually cause the parish much expense. Stopping the leaks in the roof of the building is most pressing and small outlay would effect it.
The importance of these matters are self evident and we hope, will receive the prompt consideration of those who have charge of our parochial affairs. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1874.
Discharged for Mule Stealing.
A colored strange named Armstrong, charged with mule-stealing, was discharged last Wednesday by Judge Moss, the evidence not being sufficient to hold him for trial. Being a suspicious character, he was advised to emigrate instanter, which he did. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1874.
Cattle Disease.
We learn that a disease has broken out amongst the horses, mules and cattle in this parish that is very fatal. Several planters on Cote Gelee have lost a number of valuable animals within the last ten days. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1874.
Mad Dog.
Some excitement was created in town on Thursday evening, caused by the appearance of a mad dog on the streets. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1874.
CITY COUNCIL OF VERMILIONVILLE.
Pursuant to adjournment, the City Council met this 2nd day of May 1874.
Present: A. Monnier, Mayor, and Councilmen Landry, Latiolais, Revillon and Girouard. Absent: McBride, Brandt and Olivier.
The minutes of last meeting were read and approved.
On motion it was resolved, That the petition of Jos. H. Wise, for the reduction of his assessment for the year 1873, be and the same is hereby rejected.
The Treasurer presented his report which was examined and found to be correct, was approved and ordered to be published.
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5/30/1874. -- Page 1.
=-----------------------------------
Respectfully submitted by,
H. M. BAILEY, Treasurer.
The following accounts were approved:
Lafayette Advertiser, $8; J. S. Rand, $2.
On motion the Council adjourned.
A. MONNIER, Mayor.
H. M. BAILEY, Secretary.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1874.
CITY COUNCIL OF VERMILIONVILLE.
Special Session, May 23rd, 1874.
Present: A. Monnier, Mayor, and Councilmen Landry, Revillon, McBride, Salles, Bourges, Chargois and Mouton.
The minutes of last meeting were read and approved.
Alex. Billeaud tendered to the Council his resignation as Constable and Collector, and asked that the same be accepted and his bond cancelled, and
On motion it was resoled, That the resignation of A. Billeaud, as Constable Collector, be and is hereby accepted and that his bond be cancelled.
On motion it was resolved, That his Honor the Mayor, be and is hereby authorized to call on Mr. T. Bernard, and demand formally of him, whether or not he is willing to abandon his rights whatever they may be, to the office of Constable and Collector.
Mr. Bernard being present stated in answer to the call of Mayor, that he did abandon whatever rights or pretensions, he may have said to said office.
On motion it was resolved, That the resolution passed at the last meeting of the Council, in regard to putting the office of Constable and Collector to the lowest bidder, be and the same is hereby repealed.
On motion it was resolved, That the salary of the Constable and Collector, be and the same is hereby fixed at One hundred and fifty dollars.
U. A. Hebert, presented an account of $2.10, for services rendered as commissioner of election, which on motion, was laid over until next meeting.
On motion the Council adjourned to Monday the 1st. day of June.
H. M. Bailey, Secretary.
A. Monnier, Mayor.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1874.
CITY COUNCIL OF VERMILIONVILLE.
The newly elected Mayor and Councilmen of the Corporation of Vermilionville, met at the Court House, on Monday the 11th day of May 1874, and having been duly sworn, took their seats.
Present: Hon. A. Monnier, Mayor, and Councilmen L. P. Revillon, H. Landry, R. L. McBride, J. A. Chargois, J. O. Mouton F. Bourges. Absent: B. A. Salles.
The Council was called to order, and
On motion it was resolved, That the salaries of the officers of the City Council, be and they are hereby reduced as follows, to-wit: City Attorney, $50; Printer, $50; Secretary, $50 and Treasurer, $50.
On motion it was resolved, That the members of this Council, render their services free of compensation.
On motion it was Resolved, That the office of Constable and Collector, be and is hereby offered to the lowest bidder.
The Council then proceeded to the election of their officers for the ensuing year.
On motion, E. E. Mouton, Esq., was elected City Attorney.
W. B. Bailey, Printer.
H. M. Bailey, Secretary and Treasurer.
The office of Constable and Collector, having been put to the lowest bidder, and Alexander Billaud, having bid One Dollar, was duly declared Constable and Collector.
On motion was was resolved, That the bonds of the Treasurer and Collector, be and is hereby fixed at Two Thousand Dollars each.
The Mayor appointed a committee of three, composed of Messrs. Revillon, Chargois and McBride, to receive and approve said bonds.
On motion it was resolved, That the Treasurer and Collector, be and are hereby required to furnish said bonds, within ten days from this date.
On motion the Council adjourned.
A. MONNIER, Mayor.
H. M. BAILEY, Secretary.
Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1874.
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From the Lafayette Advertiser of May 30th, 1906:
A TERRIBLE CRIME.
Jos. L. Breaux, a Syrian, Murdered in His Bed Monday Morning About 3 o'clock.
Deed Supposed to Have Been Done by a Robber on Being Discovered in the Room.
Sheriff Lacoste States He Has Sufficient Evidence Against Negro Now in Jail to Make Him Believe He Has the Murderer.
Between three and four o'clock Monday morning one of the most horrible murders known in the history of this city occurred, the victim being Joseph L. Breaux, a Syrian. The evidence in possession of the officers point to robbery as the motive.
The murdered man was a quiet and peaceful citizen, and was engaged in the business of taking orders for enlarged pictures. His home was a small cottage with two front rooms with a hall between, opening into the dining room just back of it, on Dudley street in the Mudd addition. Mr. Breaux and his little baby and wife slept in the room to the right as you enter the house.
At 3:15 a. m. Mrs. Breaux's screams awoke the neighbors, who coming to her assistance, found her husband lying on the floor dead with a terrible gash in the side of his head extending from the left cheek bone across the head just above the ear. The officers were at once notified and Sheriff Lacoste was soon on the scene, and promptly instituted a search for a clue to the perpetrator of the terrible deed. He immediately notified the neighboring towns and made an effort to get blood hounds, but none were close enough to be of any service.
The investigation made by the sheriff and coroner seems to establish the fact that Mr. Breaux was awakened by some noise and had just sat up in bed, when the intruder struck him with the blade of an axe, the blow being struck downward and in such a way as to knock him to the floor.
Death was practically instantaneous. Blood stains on the floor across the hall into the next room and on the window, show the murderer was barefooted and escaped that way. Nothing was taken as far as is known, but it seems certain that robbery was the motive and that the murder was the result of his being discovered.
The testimony given by Mrs. Breaux before the coroner's jury was to the effect that she was awakened at 3:15 a. m. by hearing something fall. She heard heavy breathing, then some one put his hands upon her face. She thought at first it was her husband, but soon found out otherwise, being held through the mosquito bar. She cried out to turn her loose, when the person turned and ran out through the hall into the other room, raised the sash and jumped out. The lamp was burning brightly, but could not tell if it was a white man or a negro. She noticed he wore a black coat and black hat. She got up and saw her husband on the floor with the axe in his head, which she removed. She screamed for help to Mr. J. F. Keller, her neighbor who went of the officers. Mr. Andre Hebert was the first officer to enter the house.
Monday morning at 8:30 o'clock work was received from Scott that a strange negro with blood on his clothes had been arrested. Deputy Sheriff Saul Broussard at once went for him. During the day a white man was also arrested, but later was released.
The negro arrested at Scott gave the name of Dave Howard. He is tall and slim and about twenty-five years old. He confessed to a criminal assault upon a 14 year old colored girl in Opelousas Saturday. Deputy Broussard went to Opelousas yesterday to investigate.
Sheriff Lacoste state that he has sufficient evidence in his possession now to make him believe positively that he as the murderer in this negro Dave Howard. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1906.
From the Lafayette Advertiser of May 30th, 1913:
STATEMENT TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES
By President Stephens at Annual Meeting regarding Standards of Courses of Study and Expenses to Students as Related to Progress and Growth of Southwestern Industrial Institute.
By E. L. Stephens, President.
(This statement was unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees, Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute.
Gentlemen:
At the instance of your Executive Committee, I hereby submit the following statement in answer to the criticism reported to have been made to the effect that "the Institute is not prospering in attendance because (a) the standards are too high and (b) the expense to students is too great."
My answer in brief is that the Institute IS prospering in attendance, in spite of the fact that it has improved its standards and the fact that the expense to students has been slightly increased.
The academic standards of the Institute are still too low. They were originally intended to be of sub-collegiate grade, that is, somewhat lower than those of a college yet somewhat higher than those of a high school. But the intent of the law in this respect was at first defeated. The people of the town and parish of Lafayette had through error been given to understand that no restrictions as to age or previous preparation would be required for admission; and they had voted upon these representations, a 2 mill tax for ten years for buildings and equipment, as an inducement to the State to locate the school in Lafayette. And when it was afterwards learned that the State had no intention of founding a primary school which would have necessarily proved altogether local in the character of its attendance, the disappointment of many local taxpayers was so great that the Trustees thought best to make the concession of starting with a very low standard and building it gradually higher. They therefore started with a standard so low that pupils of 5th grade standing were admitted. Since that time (September, 1901) the standard has been gradually raised until the requirement now for entrance is completion of the first half of the eighth grade. Each raise, however, has caused much local complaint because it postponed the time when parents could get their children into the Institute, and criticism because it naturally retarded the growth of attendance in numbers (although improving the quality). From the 5th grade to the second half of the 8th is seven steps, of a half year each, and consequently this cause for local complaint and criticism has had to arise seven times in twelve years, being therefore almost ever-present. Even in the present session there was one advance-step taken. And, of course, every time such an upward step was taken, there were from 25 to 50 children and parents disappointed by postponement, and the consequent failure to increase the attendance by that number was commented on as if it were evidence that the school was not progressing; while in truth it was proof that it WAS progressing, and that it was forcing the local public schools to progress with it.
Therefore it is seen that the Institute has only just now passed above the academic standards of an ordinary high school, which is made emphatic by the fact that never until last session had there been a high school graduate in attendance here, and never until the present session had the fundamental science of biology been taught here. There are now 16 high school graduates and 19 others who have passed beyond high school standing, and nothing essential is omitted from the courses of study; facts made possible only by the policy stated, of gradually raising the standard, which also finally resulted in getting more liberal support, enabling the employment of more teachers.
It is conceded by almost every practical student of the situation in which the Institute found itself at starting, that this policy of starting with a low standard and building up gradually to the standard it is now approaching, was a wise one. It was recognized in advance that it would mean retarded growth of numerical attendance, and that it would cause some complaint and criticism, but so many local people would have been disappointed and irritated by the setting up of proper standards at the beginning, that the school would have been surely doomed to failure if concession had not been made. This was the unanimous opinion of the Board of Trustees, composed of Mr. Robert Martin, the Legislative founder of the Institute, Capt. J. C. Buchanan, a prominent local citizen, General Albert Estopinal, now a Louisiana Congressman, Mr. J. A. Lee, of New Iberia, Hon. Amos L. Ponder, of Sabine, (now of Tangipahoa), Prof. J. G. Lee, now of the State University, Hon. Thomas H. Lewis, of St. Landry, and Prof. Brown Ayres, Dean of the College of Technology of Tulane University, now President of the University of Tennessee, together with State Superintendent Calhoun and Governor Heard. In fact, it was admitted by everybody to be the best thing to do under the circumstances.
But the practical working task, and one that in some phases has hurt with ironic and peculiar cruelty. In the matter of financial support, for instance, legislators are likely to be obsessed with the numerical symbol as the representative of value, asking only "how many of WHAT?" So when our numerical attendance tended to remain stationary because the low standard of admission being lifted a half-step, they were wont to say "We cannot increase your appropriation because you have not increased your number of students."
This was bad, but not the worst part; for after a time one unusual legislator did inquire "what" instead of "how many" (before we were ready) - and when he learned how low the standard of the school was, he openly stated to our Representatives in the House that the State would not support a mere elementary or high school for the town and parish of Lafayette, and that until the standard was raised above the secondary grade, he was opposed to granting a cent of increase in its allowance. And, as he happened to be Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, he had his way about it. We were hit front and rear at the same time by the two schools of philosophy in the Legislature, the Quantitative and the Qualitative; and yet we were still held down at home by the clamor AGAINST "high standards" and the criticism of "not prospering in attendance". One step of increase in requirements was always sufficient to retard the increase in numbers, but never enough (until now) to satisfy the charge of the low standards. And the financial result was that this institution had to struggle through he first ten years of its existence upon a State appropriation of only $13,500 a year! Think of it! Not enough for a standard high school in a town of this size!
But the growth that has actually taken place in the school in the first twelve years, in spite of this meager support, may be indicated by the following facts: In the session of 1901-'02 there were three teachers of academic subjects, namely, mathematics (taught by the President), science and English; and five teachers of industrial and technical subjects, namely, shopwork, stenography, domestic science, drawing and instrumental music. There were 145 pupils, of advancement ranging between the 5th and the 10th grades. Now there are seven teachers of academic subjects, namely mathematics, English, history, physics and chemistry, Latin, French, and biology; and fourteen teachers of industrial and technical subjects, namely, agriculture, dairying, farm mechanics, general construction, domestic science, domestic art, drawing, stenography, telegraphy, pedogogy, commercial work, instrumental music, athletics for boys, and athletics for girls. The total number in the Faculty, including the President who does not teach, is 22; and the number of students is 323, of advancement ranging between the second half of the eighth grade and the second collegiate year. A comparison of these facts will show that the school started here in 1901 and the school that is here now are profoundly different. That school was primary, elementary, and largely local; its 145 students, if they were to come to Lafayette now, would have to enter the Lafayette grammar school, with few exceptions, and most of them would require about three years of preparation before they were eligible to enter the lowest class in the school that is here now. The present school system is secondary and sub-collegiate and offers very much large opportunities than the former school could possibly have done; it attracts students from a far wider field; it has a number of high school graduates in attendance from other towns and parishes; and by thus raising its standards and its sphere of influence it has also forced a corresponding improvement in the public schools surrounding it - leaving the work of the lower grades upon them and causing them to grow and develop accordingly. It has also served to stimulate the introduction of industrial education into the high schools and the lower grades of the public schools, and is helping to prepare teachers for such work; so that in a few years more no plausible basis for complaint can arise from anybody about inadequate provision of industrial instruction for pupils of poor academic preparation. The Industrial Institute's mission as a State institution is not to be found in itself a primary and grammar grade industrial school reaching only a local constituency; but in being of sub-collegiate grade that will serve the State at large and that will help the establishment of industrial instruction in public schools of lower grade.
In answer to the criticism that the expenses of a student at the Institute is a bar to larger attendance, I will say that expense is doubtless a bar to every form of purchase whatever; the greater the cost, the less the number of purchases. But I deny that the expense of a student at the Industrial Institute is greater on the average that that of a student at other institutions of a similar character and grade. The expense chiefly complain of here is the laboratory fees and the fee of athletics. Of these the laboratory fees are identical in their nature with the expense of buying textbooks (which is not complained of, being averaged upon the cost of the materials used by students in the various laboratories and shops. Clamor for free materials in laboratories is the same in character with that for for free text-books, free lunches, and free clothing; it may or may not be a wise and desirable movement, but it is certainly not yet justified by the finances of our State institution of learning. It would be a hurtful discrimination for our school to attempt it if the others did not do the same; and while it is claimed that the other Industrial Institute does give free laboratory materials, it is only necessary to call attention to the fact that the institution makes up the deficiency thus caused by taking an "incidental fee" of $12 to $15 a year, to show that the expense of a student figures about the same after all. The average of all laboratory fees received at this institution during the past year was $3.81 per student. The fee of $5 a year for athletics was adopted this session upon the demand of the students themselves as being the only practical way of solving the problem of maintaining athletic relations with other schools of similar grade, and of maintaining a lyceum lecture course for the entertainment and instruction of the student body. A year's trial has proved it by far the best plan ever tried here, and a practically unanimous demand for the continuance of the fee has come in the form of petition requesting it. For this $5 all students are admitted free to all the athletic games and lyceum entertainments given by the Institute during the session. This method is cheaper for the student than the former way of charging 25 to 50 cents for admission to everything, and a much larger number of events is provided. (Note: The Board of Trustees voted at this meeting to withdraw the compulsory feature of the athletic fee and leave its payment optional.) The only other fee is the regular fee of four dollars, known as the "incidental" or "matriculation" fee, paid by each student at the time of registration. It represents the individual contribution to the State made by the student getting the benefit of the State's provision for all. It is also made non-returnable, following the custom of the State University and of nearly every institution in the country; being somewhat on the basis of an insurance premium, guaranteeing the State against loss of energy in registering, examining, classifying, and otherwise providing for students who may prove only temporary, remaining a few days or weeks and leaving without notice. No serious complaint has ever arisen over the incidental fee here. The reason why the subject of expense has suddenly come into prominence is that the improved standards of the course of study have necessarily brought laboratory courses where they did not exist before; then the athletic fee of $5 seemed heavy because by this method it is collected at once, whereas formerly that amount or more was collected from most students through various charges for admission throughout the year; and finally the "increasing cost of living" in every particular has had to be felt in the matter of schools as in other forms of purchase.
Another phase of the criticism regarding the expensiveness of the Institute in general is based upon the careless misconception in the minds of some that the needs of this kind of school should be about the same as those of the elementary public school. Even at the beginning when the Institute had only eight teachers and 145 students, in 1902, the criticism was heard that this was too many teachers for so small an attendance! Dividing 145 by 8, it was found that there were 18 pupils to the teacher, whereas in the public schools each teacher taught 40 pupils.
Such was the form of reasoning and it still persists. The fact was overlooked that the Institute organization was different, that it was both academic and industrial, that is was specialized, that its equipment was more expensive, that it had to employ as teachers specialists in each department, that there was one teacher who taught nothing but instrumental music to such students as wanted it, that another teacher taught physical education for girls, that the three academic teachers gave instruction to the entire 145 students in academic branches, while the three industrial subjects, making the ratio of teachers to pupils more like 3 to 145 than like 8 to 145. But when analysis of the actual organization of the Institute is made, it is found that it has never had either adequate equipment or an adequate corps of teachers to render the service the State intended for it to render at the time of its establishment. And similar analysis will show that even the public schools with which this unfavorable comparison as to expensiveness was made, were not as fully provided for as they needed to be for the best results. They needed larger means of than they had, and the Industrial Institute needed still more, because of its more expensive organization and work.
Some of the financial advantages, and other advantages worth more than money can measure, that the Industrial Institute has brought to its constituency, may possibly be considered worthy of note here, partly as an answer to general criticism on its expensiveness, and partly to assuage any feeling of loss on the part of those who have been the greatest contributors. It may safely be said that since its establishment in 1901 the Industrial Institute has had a great share in doubling the values of property near by, in doubling the population of Lafayette, and doubling its business, in affording the people more than an equivalent of a good high school in the town and parish without having to build or maintain one, in stimulating the building and development of good public schools in every ward, and in becoming a center of industrial, practical and cultural learning that tends to lift the whole standard of life within the sphere of its influence.
Finally, I respectfully submit to every fair-minded person who informs himself upon these matters, that our school IS "prospering in attendance" - even in numbers, but especially in quality, and in degree of advancement, which brings students to us from other parishes and sections; that its standards are NOT "too high"; and that its expenses to the student or to the State are NOT greater than is necessary. And I bespeak the co-operation of every friend and patron of education to help make the Institute still more prosperous in attendance, in standards, and in usefulness, not only to the local community and parish, but to the State at large; for it must be remembered that, however useful and helpful it may be locally, it is really a State Institution. Lafayette Advertiser 5/30/1913.
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