The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1894-03-17

IL, ouG vi ClCdUlue hC" ohOs Ao
| present crazy patch work screed has
| been maintained since 1879, longer than
any state has ever before continued one
constitution. 1t was very good for the
issues which brought it into existence,
| but it does not cover the present day.
| think a constitutional convention
must be held shortly, and that it will
meet with general acceptance. The
people are tired of the present one, and
any move for a Iew constitution VIII
meet with their approval.
| The Police Jury of st. Landry greatly
surprised the inhabitants of this town,
at its session this week by ordering
vote of the people of the parish to be
taken on the question of prohibition OF
the liquor traffic. The vote was order
ed to be taken on the same day ap-
| pointed for the election of State sena-
tor for this district.
Had this been asked for by the peo-
pie or had it been previously mooted.
| the passage of the order would not have
been surprising, but the unforeshadow-
| ed spasm of moral reform which pricked
the local legislature and prompted its
action, has excited suspicion that it
was but an election trick.
| 1t was too diapllanous, however, to
answer the purpose for which it was
possibly intended "If at first you
don't succeed, try. try again."
Having abolished the Louisiana State
Lottery, the purists of that body were
emboldened to try to have the local
liquor traffic abolished also, knowing as
they do that they might get all they
want (and that, we fear is not little).
from Lafayette by rail. Admonished.
however, by sager philosophers, the
jury reconsidered the matter, and con-
cluded to let the potent agents, John
Killem Brown and Damyou Alcohol,
continue their work Of crime producing
prison patronage and tax aueTenting
while longer.
The Attakapas Vindicator proclaims
the effects of sending personal and in
sulting comic valentines, by saying that
| it stirred up unusual dissension be-
| tween everybody and the one he sup
posed to be his greatest enemy. They
are often sent to appease an old grndge
that could not be appeased in any other
way. It is a despicable method by
which to display personal animosity.-
Shreveport Times.
That is very true but the custom is
innocuous, manly and commendable,
compared to the contemplate style of
journalism inaugurated by the snide
concern here, which has never placed
at the head of its columns the name of
the party responsible for its editorial
utterances, and despite that fact, or
rather because of that fact, has frequent
ly INDUCED in offensive personalities.
It's reprebensible example has been fol-
lowed by some of it's friends who. OBJ
serving the immunity enjoyed by these
bushwbackers, have under various MONS
de plume made personal attacks
through its columns upon a number OF
our best citizens-attacks which they
would shrink from making were they
brought face to face with those they
accused or attempted to ridicule, OF
were their real names appended to tbeiI
articles. When any good reason exists
for arraigning man in the public
prints, his accuser should disclose his
identity and manfully assume the res
possibility for his act, and not skulk
behind nom de plume or board of di,
rectors consisting OF seven or more men
who are not really or morally RESPONSE
BILE. Were such course followed few
or dissensions would be stirred up in the
community, for these anonymous bush
whackers would not be so glib ol
tongue, knowing they would be held to
personal accountability or at least
subjected to public and personal criti-
cism in return, when they and their per.
sonal, selfish and altogether unworthy
motives would be shown up in theil
true light.
An election for three wardens of the
Catholic church will be held at the
presbytery to- orrow after High Mass
The (3-year) terms of Rev. A. Dubourg
DR.. V. Boagni and Capt. j. j. Thomp.
son expire, and as DR.. Boagni declinet
a re- election, Mr.. A. Wartelle, of Plais'
ance, will be solicited to allow the use
OF his name to fill the vacancy. The
other two have consented to serve an
| other term. While the business affairs
of the corporation are in pretty good
shape, the church being out Of debt
there is little or no money in the treas
ury. AS the revenues from the ceme.
terry are devoted exclusively to itl
maintenance, the only funds handled
by the wardens are the proceeds of the
annual sales of the pews, the valuable