The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1885-04-16
PARISH SITE QUESTION.
Arguments Of Hon. z. W. Ogden, Col.
]. A. Snider and District Attorney
j. A. W. Lowry.

Tuesday morning petition was
presented to the Police jury, signed
bv about 1000 taxpayers of the
narish, asking that the Police Jury
order an election on the question of
removing the Parish site from Belle
vue to Bossier City. The Police
Jury invited argument On the ques-
ton. and Hon .H.W Ogden.Co J. A.
snider, and District Attorney Lowry
addressed the Police Jury. There
was quite large attendance, and
the arguments were listened to with
more than ordinary attention.
HON. q. W. OGDEN
WAS the first speaker. He stated that
the Police Jury, in its representative
capacity had no right to ignore the
expressed wishes of the people in
refusing an election, and that the
wishes of the people were clearly ex-
pressed on the question of removal
was Enthusiastically shown by the nu-
merously signed petition of tax-pay-
ers. The people have have been in
favor of the removal of the Court
House for years, and the greatest
obstacle in the way was that they
we're divided as to the point of loca-
ton; but now they were united on
the one point as was shown by the
petition of 1000 taxpayers. The
people did not sign that petition has
tily, nor ignorantly, but did so, clear
ly expressing their views and wishes.
You, gentlemen of the Police Jury,
have the power to disregard and go
behind the expressed wishes of the
people; but will you dare do it? You
are here in representative capacity,
as representatives of the people of
your respe tive Wards and of your
parish, and you have no right to
ignore their wishes. Whether you
will do so or not is a matter that
rests with you. The people have
expressed their wishes.
COL. J. A. SNYDER
argued that the law did not compel
the Police Jury to order an election
because petitioners asked for it; but
that the Police Jury must first desig,
nate point, and then if 500 tax
payers petitioned for an election on
the question ofremoval to that point
the Police Jury must call the cleo
ton. Il is optional with the Jury
whether it selects this point, notwith
standing the petition. Suppose, as al
illustration, that the point petitioned
for was in the middle of swamp
would the Police Jury be compelled
to order an election becaure the re
quired 500 taxpayers had petitioned
for it, No; not If every man in Bos
sier parish had asked for it. TIL,
Police Jury, in it's Representative
capacity, is invested with discretion
airy powers, and its duty is to guart
the interests of the people you rep
resent. Suppose you think SONS
other point than the one named b,
more suitable, can you, under you
oaths of public duty make this Sc
lection because it has been petitionet
fort If you order an election TO
Bossier City, how do you know blu
that you are ignoring the preference
OF others There might be othe
points that would send up petitions
Would you order an election for eacl
place; or are you going to order OIL
election every time petition come
up for the removal of the Paris
site, and bankrupt the Parish. Nc
you must designate the point, an
the election follows, provided so
taxpayers petition for it. But nov
you have the cart before the horse
mere comes petition asking you t
call an election before you have 81
lected point. The petitioners hav
selected the point for Won Att