The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1888-08-25
NO. 4S.
Proceedings of tIae Police bury.
OPELoUsAs, August 18th, 1888.

The reading OF the proceedings Of the last
meeting Was dispensed with.
On motion of Mr.. Stage, recess was taken
for half an hour, to allow the committee to
prepare their report on examination of books
On resuming, the committee, through their
chairman Mr.. Stagg reported as follows
To the Honorable President and members
of the Police Jury of the parish of st. Landry:
The undersigned, your committee appointed
to examine the books of the eX-Treasurer and
Clerk, ascertain what is the Indebtedness of
the parish up to the meeting of the present
Jury, I'd July 1888, and the amount of money
turned over to the present Treasurer, respect
fully report:
That they have examined the books afore-
said with care and diligence, and find them
correct and precise IN their letter and cyphers,
showing that the total debts and liabilities of
the parish to ID July, 1888, is forty-eigbt
thousand one hundred and eighty nine GlIO0
dollars, $iSlS9.U6
That the ex-Treasurer paid in ex-
cess of the money received by him. $50
Consequently that money was turned
over to the present Treasurer.
REHABILITATION
Amt. due and past due including
$S297. 80 outstanding witness certif-
Gates and including current expenses
of this year up to I'd July. as credited
,accts. on parish books, also the two
first quarters of 1888 for magistrates
and constables- .$325IO78
Amt. due Chas. ID. Stewart out of
funds of 1888 and 1889. 10000
Contract with 5. A, Oliver Bro. to
build bridge at Washington La, pay
able in five equal annual ins5imeuts
when completed according to con
tGtct. Interest to be paid by Wash
iroiton. Bridge not built yet...... 100000
Second payment on Courthouse due
lat JAN, 1889, ---...-S6 S6425 90
Balance due on cash paymt.
of $4,000, which was to have
been made by the town of
Opefousas on completion of
courthouse e----------------- 2430, 40
interest due by parish on bal
ance of cash payment up to
date. ;---7--,---;-------: 51.2o 9Iz2,6s
Amt due j. o. Chaehere for money
disbursed in excess of am&. received $50
Total S4s, 1906
: To which must necessarily be added the
current expenses of the parish from I'd July,
1883 to Jan. l. 'S9, and in which will figure the
criminal exposes of one term of the District
Court. TO the credit of all of which stands
the taxes, licenses, etc, due and collectible
for this year, which will probably realize the
sum OF S35000G0, and when the town of Opel
ousas or suretIes pay the balance due upon
the cash installment of the price of Court
house, the amount so paid will then operate
as credit, 1t is Thus demonstrated that the
revenues OF the parish to be collected during
the present year not sufficient to pay the
aforementioned Indebtedness and that on the
ist day of Jan, 'S9 there will be q resultant
debt staring us in the face, not dollar in the
treasury-eompelledt to wait upon the collec-
tion OF the taxes and licenses of the year '89
to meet current and past due Indebtedness.
In other w0rds-Will be forced to begin the
new year 89, in debt and ON trust.
The financial operation of the parish has
for long time past, been conducted on a
credit basis; the revenues of each year have
been anticipated, appropriated and expended
in advance of their collection, thereby neces-
stating the making of contracts for all the
needs of the parish ut credit prices, which en-
tailed an expense far in excess of what the
same contracts would have cost on cash basis.
The difference between the two systems,
cash and credit, in few years amount to an
aggregate equal to the present parish debt.
So that the present debt may be directly
traeeable and due to this blind system of
credit ON the future.
1t may not be amiss to remark, that a very
large portion of the present Indebtedness has
been forced ON the parish for and in the trial
If criminal cases in re District court; espe-
cialiy in the matter of witness fees, and we
would respectfully suggest that your Hon.
Body earnestly request the District judge and
district attorney to use in the future every
means in their power to reduce said criminal
expenses in the parish.
What is the remedy and in what manner
can the parish ofs1t Landry be best and soon
est extricated fro n it's present financial EN-
barrassments Thu problem is one of morals
and finance and under both heads, every man
must find it matter of personal interest. 1t
is difficult to resolve, but should be solved
On motion of Mr. DHrio the report was ae-
cepted,
On motion Of Mr. z. Robin resolyed-That
whereas the committee appointed to examine
the books of the eX-treasurer and clerk have
reported that they find the same correct Be
1t therefore resolved that we tender our
thanks to the members and officers OF the for
iHer Police Jury for the able and efficient man
ner in which they administered the affairs of
the parish.
On motion of Mr.. Dossman, Resolved, that
"a committee of three be appointed to aseer-
tain if the change of road from Vile Plate to
Washington, according to petition of A. R.
FontenOt, the change commencing at the end
of j. MalbrOugh's lane nearest Vile Plate and
running west between lands OF A. X. Fonte-
not Hyp. Spencer and Aureie Vidrine, as far
as corner of A II. Fonten0t 5 lands, thence
south between lands of A. Il. Fentenot and
Samnel Haas to end of lane known as Fes-
ters lane; wenld prove satisfactory to the
inhabitants of that section and the public in
general. The following committee was APP
pointed T, Reed, Damon Deville and Y vi
tirne.
On motion of Mr. Haas, L. j. Dossman was
added to the committee.
The committee appointed 10 sell the con-
tract to repair the bridge at bayou Petite
Passe, reported, that tho contract was sold
according to law to Mr.. ID. w. Wilson, the
lowest bidder for the sum of one hundred and
ninety uOifarS tSI9usuel. bnat the repairs were
made according to contract and accepted by
them. When on motion the report was ac-
eepted and the committee was discharged.
On motion of Mr. Dossman-whereas Mr.. C.
satteriy has applied TO be appointed Bene6-
eiary Cadet from st. Landry parish, be it re-
solved, that although we regret to be forced
to refuse the said appointment, we are forced
to do so by reason of the embarrassed condi-
ton of the parish.
On motion of Mr.. Milbnrn, Measrs. Simeon
Ardoin, Ed. j. Conway and j. Il. Bacon were
appointed committee to examine and ascer
tain the cost to repair bridge over bayou Gro
eodiie on the public road leading from Vile
Plate to Whiteyille, as prayed for in petition
and report at next meeting.
The following road Overseers were appoint
ed Leon Pitre in place of James McClennan
ON public road from Dejean's bridge to NAL
let bridge and to John Boudreau's.
Pierre Cormier-from Child's plantation to
Theodnle f. Richards
Edgar Savoie-from Dick Smiths place TO
Z. r.. crossing
CASTOR Guiilaumin in place Off. w Seeiey,
from FriIot1s bridge to }. B. Ardoin's -
On motion of T.. j. Dossman the Police Jury
adjourned until Monday the 8th OF October,
1883 at $50 O'Clock a m
Attest: H. MI. bOAaNli
j. j. BARRY, Clerk. President