The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-02-11
COMMUNICATIONS.

NV L htN " va IECSCIIt ooUu-
ell In whose hands the various inter
ests Of this town have been entrusted
by an almost unanimous vote Of the
citizens hereof, towards providing
lights 10 guide her citizens aud visitors
through her streets during the night.
| took interest in the experiment made
b the Councll-in that direction dur
ing the last mouth by the use Of ordi-
nary Insurance Gil lamps with globes
placN iii the frames erected FOR the
Gasoline Lamps previously erected
by the Council, whose term Of office
lately expired and which said Case
line lamps proved to be an utter fail
uie IN every respect and most posi-
lively us beacons to guide the foot
steps or route Of such uf our citizens
Wllo we've SO unfortunate as to be out
on nights during tie dark of this
c%arti's satellite. Now Mr.. Editor, as
1t IS by the contact of different clouds
that the bright light we often see in
the heavens is produced, may We not
logically expect tnat discussion and
dash Of ideas OH the subject Of light
nIDg our streets, VIII bring the light
OF wisdom to bear on the subject and
will result on the adoption by our en-
ergetic Board OF Town Councilmen Of
d plan that Will assure us and those
who III the natural course Of events
are to follow us, with Il SYSTEM OF
lights - nearly perfect as tle progress
of our day will allow.
By way Of starting the discussion
On the subject matter under consider
alton, | propose to briefly give my
humble opinion thereon.
| take it FOR granted that all who
have given due consideration to tie
inadequate system OF Lamps (Gaso-
llnt) now III operation, viii adlhit,
these cannot afford us the relief we
ashland it follows, in my mind, that
if the Council decides. as has been
proposed to substitute therefor the
primitive Coal or Insurance Oil lamps
laid aside by way wide awake and
progressive town and city throughout
the land that they will commit an en-
ror Of judgment, for which they may
be kindly pardoned, but which will
move the less, cost our tax payers a
good round sun, without giving them
any light in return. | say, if the
points have given be true, does 1t
not follow that ONE other system Of
lighting other that any of those that
comprise the use of petroleum u,.der
any OF its liquid forms, must be adopt
ed. Now l know Of only tive other
systems extant i'll our days, and these
are coal gas and electricity and both
systems are general appreciated aul
extensively used for lighting by hum
dred and thousands Of corporations
throughout the world. Now since the
adoption of either of these two sys-
TENS would necessitate expensive
plants costing such an outlay OF funds
as to preclude the Council from the
erection of the required plants, with
out heaplng upon their constituents a
load of debt aud ugly tax bills for
years to come, would it not, be a good
idea, for the council to by
its powerful e%nfluence some private
corporation already established or to
be established by the passage of some
resolution or ordinance offering some
adequate premium for "a number of
years Ito be determined in their wis
dom) and beside by pledging the
Council to contract with any sucl, in
dividual Or association of persons who
may undertake to erect a Gas or Flee
trio plant within a given tine for a
--No. of gas jets or ark lights as
the case may be for the use of the
Corporation.
Who knows, perhaps if such induce
ment was offered, and properly ad-
vertised, it might bring about the re-
alization of a much needed improve
ment which would cause the lights
now in use by III town authorities to
be remembered in the same spirit as
the old time stage coast is, only to re
alize tie immense distance between
the past aud the present system.