davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03
Ballot Reform.

About eighteen months ago we gave
our views on this subject and heard no
echo from the other journals of Louisi-
ana. We published two articles on the
subject, and finding no response we
dwindled into silence, fully satisfied
the time would come when the Demo-
cratic press Of Louisiana and of the
South generally would spaek out ap-
provingly in some form.
Some of our friends gave us a know
ing kind of wink, and sagely whisper
ed in our ear that it would be well to
hold up for the present, as the topic
was pregnant with possibly serious con
sequences.
We are not conscious that We were
ever AFRAID to recur to the subject, but
as we knew of no co operation iu the
propagation OF that particular political
teuet, we wiped our adventurous pen
and laid it down calculating to take it
up again at some time, as we do now.
Ballot reform has been not only ad-
vlsable but it has been an absolute ne
cessity ever since 1868. In the Consti-
tutional Convention of 1879 it might and
should have been satisfactorily accom-
plished had craftsmanship and patriot
ism had II determining voice. Our
election laws are as multiform in possi-
ble construction and Interpretation as
the prophetic utterings of DeIphic
oracle.
The damning consequences of our
system of universal suffrage are as in
disputable as the destroying agency of
the flames in wooden structure.
The New Orleans dailies very recently
published the proceedings of meeting
OF some good citizens of that city. They
took up the subject of ballot reform and
without circumlocution took hold of
the subject and placed themselves plain
ly on record.
The Times Democrat in noticing
their proceedings was explicit and it
may be the Picaynne was equally so.
Unfortunately for the movement at
this particular juncture, some of our
political magnateS are not exactly ready
to go into the movement. They are
said to have axes to grind and want the
use of the existing machinery to facili-
tate them in their selfish work. But
the people, We mean the intelligent pa
triotic achite people, are determined to
have a reform, and soon or late they
will get it. The patriots throughout
the State should go to work and so reg
ulate the question of suffrage and the
election laws that we can afford to en-
force them as they are made.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03
Feb. 10, 1894.
PATENTS.
NOTICE To INVENTORS.

There was never u time in the history of
our country when the demand for inventions
and improvements in the arts and sciences
generally was so great as now. The conven-
fences OF mankind in tho factory and work
shop, the household on the farm, and in
official life, require continual accessions to the
appurtenances and implements of each in
order to save labor, time and expense. The
political change in the administration of gov
ernment does not affect the progress of the
American inventor, who being on the alert,
and ready u perceive the existing detieien
ment to deter him from quickly conceving
the remedy to overcome existing discrepan-
cies. Too great care cannot be exercised in
choosing competent and skillful attorney to
prepare and prosecute an application for
patent. Valuable interests have been lost
and destroyed in innunerable instances by
the employment of incompetent counsel. and
especially is this advice applicable to those
who adopt Che mo patent, no pay" system.
Inventors who intrust their business to this
class Of attorneys do so at an imminent risk,
as the breadth and strength of the patent is
never considered in view of quick endeavor
to get an allowance and obtain the fee then
due. The Press Claims Company, John We'd
derhurn, General Manager, 6lS + street, N.
w., Washington, D. c., representing q large
number of important daily and weekly papers.
as we'll as general periodicals of the country,
Was instituted to protect Its patrons from the
unsafe methods heretofore employed in this
line of business. The said Company is pie
pared to take charge of all patent business
entrusted to it for reasonable fees, and pre-
pares and prosecates applications generally,
including mechanical inventions, design pat
ents, trademarks, labels, copyrights, inter
ferences, infriDgements, validity reports, aud
gives especial attention to rejected eases 1t
is also prepared to enter into competition
with any firm in securing foreign patents.
Write for instructions and advice.
John Wedderburn 6I8 F street, Washing
ton, ID. G.. p. o. Box 38iJ.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03
Our Proposition.

In the month of May next the Gener-
al Assembly OF Louisiana will convene
III Baton Rouge to 'eglslate for the wei
fare OF the people. Notwithstanding
they nr0 glowing wealthy at an as
tonlsiilng rate, and may be presumed
TO be able to stand the taxes without
INST cause for complaining, we think
thai IN view of their augmented wealth
ana the economical mode Of conduct
ing the affairs of the State government,
the rate of taxation should be reduced.
lt appears to us that it 10 mills for
parish and mills for State taxes suf-
need to run the State government un-
der an extravagant administration, a
smaller per centum might suffice to run
it under an economic administration.
LOOKING to late assessments of the tax
able property in louisiana, we perceive
that our wealth has been increased
many millions of dollars. To one who
stops to reason about it, it would seem
that with third more of wealth, the
rate OF taxation might be diminished.
The Constitution limits the power of
taxing to 10 and mills for parish
and State taxes. This cannot be trans
cended by an increase of per centum
but 1t can be reduced. If therefore
wealth is SO amazingly increased, the
per centum of taxation should be cor
reSpondingly reduced. Now, we pro-
pose that the General Assembly do this.
Our present Governor and his ardent
supporters told the people he would
run the government without increas-
ing the taxes but he did not tell them
he would not increase the assessment.
SO, now, in order to administer it, he
increases the assessment but does not
increase the per cerltum, Very kind.
We call ON the Legislature to have
the matter looked into
Ii the assessment be increased the
rate of taxation should be reduced.
We don't want any extra money ID the
treasury. Taxes are assessed to pay
the necessary current expenses of the
government and interest, and for moth
ing else.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03
OPELOUSAS, PARISH OF ST. LANDRY La. MARCH 3, 1894
Personal.

Miss Lola Quirk, of Chataignier,
spent Tuesday in town.
Rev. Robt. w. RandIe, of Lafayette,
Is spending several days in town.
Capt S. Haas, of Bayou Chicot, was !,
visitor to our town ON Wednesday.
VIM. Lima, our popular barber, spent
Monday and Tuesday in Alexandria.
Mr.. j. Crawford, of St. Mary, was the
guest Of his brother, II. Crawford, Jr.,
this week.
Maj. Frank Wharton, of Bayou Chi
cot, was a pleasant caller at our office
On Wednesday.
A. L. Fontenot, ESD, President of the
School Board, was among the visitors
to our town on Wednesday.
DR.. J. H. Parker d popular citizen of
Vile Plate, was shaking hands with
friends in town on Wednesday.
Messrs. Mark Lazaro and Fremont
Fuselier, of Vile Plate. were attending
to business in town on Thursday
Messrs. P, Zernott, j. j. Neyland, F.
Derbes and Louis P. Carriere, of Wash.
ington, were in town on Wednesday.
OzemG Fontenot, Esq, leading cit-
zen of the neighborlraod of Washing
ton, was on our streets on Wednesday.
Lionel Bienyenu, of New Orleans,
spent several days here this week and
was warmly greeted by his numerous
friends.
Hon. Albert Guidry, of Carencro,
spent several days here this week and
favored us with an appreciated call on
Thursday.
'. Blanchet, of Abbevile, has charge
of the new chair in the elegant tOnsorial
establishment of VIM. Lima, at the cor
ner of Court and Bellevue streets.
Messrs. Jake Davis, publisher of the
Washington Argus, and M. S. Alexan-
der, OF Cheneyville, were IN town on
Wednesday and dropped in to see us.
John H. Humble, Esq, of Washing
ton, who was severely injured at the
Barbreck refinery some weeks ago, has
entirely recovered and was here on
Thursday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Chachele went to
Grand Coteau on Thursday to attend
the wedding of their eldest son, Veil
land, to Miss Berthe, daughter of ex-
police juror Dupreville M6che.
Messrs. Albert Cleary and Lee Gil
and Misses Rosa Lavergne and Maude,
Elmlre and Nita Chachere attended the
wedding of Mr.. Veilland CIlacherG and
Miss Berthe Meche at Grand Coteau
on Thursday.
Andrew Moresis President of the Ope-
lousas Ice and Bottling Works, and C.
A. Hoy, Secretary and Treasurer of the
concern, have again taken up their resi-
dence among us. They gave us an ap-
preciated call call on Tuesday.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03
NOTICE.

TNHE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF
l. OPELOUSAS, in liquidation, begs to
nounce to il. many friends and patrons that
its successor, the ST. LANDRY STATE
BANK, will assume all the business of The
First National Bank, and is under the same
management, with The same stock holders
officers and directors.
The public may be assured of receiving the
same careful and prompt attention from the
st. Landry State Bank as it has heretofore re
ceived from the old bank.
Very Respectfully,
ALPHONSE LEVY, Pres,
ANT DIETLEIN, Vice Pres
j. II. SKIPPER, Cashier
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03
The Weather.

We have had terrible weather for
long time. The rains have been so
frequent and constant that planters
have not been able to plow their lands
at all. The earth is, if not covered by
water, at least so saturated that plow-
ing is impracticable. Ordinarily at this
time some planters have fields of corn
planted, but this year we doubt if there
have had an unusually severe winter
during the last month and part Of the
month Of January. The last two days
have been bright and sufficiently warm.
and if such weather continues for
week or ten days, the planters may be
able to tnrn up the soil.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

At about 1 O'Clock on Friday morning
barn belonging to S. Birotte, in the
eastern portion of town, was discovered
to be on fire. and before the engines
could reach the scene the flames had
made such headway that the building
and all its contents were entirely des-
troyed. Besides the corn, hay, &c, a
buggy and a moving machine were con-
sumed. A short time ago barn on one
of Mr.. Birotte's places near town was
destroyed with a number of horses, &C.,
entailing heavy loss, and it was sus-
pected then that some one had purpose
ly set it on fire. The circumstances at
tending this last fire give additional
strength to the theory of incendiarism,
and if this awful suspicion is correct it
ought not to be very difficult matter
to locate the guilty wretch and punish
him for his Iieinons crime. This is Il
case that calls for the most diligent and
searching investigation on the part of
the authorities.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03
District Court.

E. Soileau, colored, was convicted of
petty larceny on Wednesday morning,
and recommended to the mercy of the
court. In this case the jury was locked
up twenty four hours.
Manuel jackson, colored, was tried
under an indictment for murder and ac-
quilted on Wednesday night.
Ulysse Lavigne was tried on Thurs
day for hog stealing and acquitted.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Taxes are just as high and sure as
they used to be when cotton was worth
fifty dollars bale; but they are not as
easy to pay by whole lot of sight. If
we are not out of order, we move that a
reduction of taxation is in order, and in
order that we may not be out of order
we further move that the order to re-
duce taxation be made permanent or
der.-Bastrop Appeal.
We second the motion, and suggest
that inasmuch as assessments have been
largely increased the order be put into
effect in very short order.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

We take pleasure Of directing atten-
ton to the advertisement of Mr.. A..
Hackl in another column. A hardware
store has been long felt want in Ope-
lonsas and Mr.. Hackl proposes to sup
ply this much needed convenience. His
stock is we'll assorted and he proposes
to increase it according to the demand
OF his patrons and at the same time his
prices will be found to be very reason
able. IL you need anything in his line
give him call. See advertisement for
9 partial list of the goods he has in
atock.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03
Subscription Price Reduced.

From and after this date the price of
subscription to the COURIER is reduced
to $500 year, payable in advance.
All those now in arrears will be allow
ed reasonable discount if they will
call at this Office and settle within the
next thirty days. After that all out
standing accounts will be placed in
the hands of collector.
Those who have paid iii advance for
the COURIER will have their subscrip-
ton extended .iu accordance with the
reduced price, allowing them the bene-
fit of the reduction.
Those who have paid for the Demo-
crat will have their time extended ac
cordingly.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

A sugar mill but little used and in
perfect order can be had at a bargain on
application to Pierre F6licien Simon, at
Wallace P. O.. parish Of st. John. The
cylinder is IL inches in diameter with
Al stroke, the y-wheel 14s feet in diam
eter; there are kettles and boilers
In writing mention this paper.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03
NOTICE.

Having purchased the Bridgeville Store
from Mr.. Jos Bloch and replenished the same
with ii fresh stock of goods, we would res
pectfulIy solicit a share Of public patronage
and continuation of the business of the
establishment. Our prices will be very
reasonable, and we shall endeavor t" give
general satisfaction.
Respectfully,
DELARUE s. MAJOR.
FL,
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Thompson, ESD, the GENIAL proprietor
of the Opeiousas Rice Mill, has started
a new industry in Opelousas by the ad-
dition of barrel factory TO his milling
plant. and it is turning out a first-class
article of cooperage both for his own
use and to supply any article desired in
that line. Mr. Thompson is entitled to
the credit of putting up rice mill here
unaided by outside assistance and now
gives further evidence of his public
spirit and enterprise by establishing a
barrel factory on his own account. If
we had few more such wide-awake
business men in Opelousas as Mr..
Thompson, the progress and prosperity
of the town would know no halt.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03
MONEY TO LOAN.

Office 81. Landry Homestead and Loan
association,
~ o ~Opelousas, Sept. 1871 1898 }
The undersigned is authorized by the Board
of Directors of the st. Landry Home stead aud
Loan Association to offer to its members loans
ut eight per centum. For particulars ap-
ply t" +. ID. ESIlLEilE.
President st. Landry ii. & l.. Assn
t.s23, 1898 u
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

II you fail to get your COURIER at
yeur postoffce, drop Us postal card
notifying ns of the failure, and you will
get the missing number by mail. We
are very careful abont mailing papers,
bnt sometimes they miscarry or get
lost in the general shuttle.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Our District Court has been in session
for one month, and goodly number of
persons have been coming to town as
jurors, witnesses, clients and criminals.
Those who have not been compelled to
come here in some one of these cate
gories, have kept close home.
The roads are, in many districts,
frightful. The health Of the people is
even better than could have been
reasonably expected under all the con-
ditiOns of the weather.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

There is mill at Fort Scott, Kansas,
which daily makes from six to seven
tons of paper from bagasse, giving en-
ployment directly and Indirectly to
about so men. If there is money in it
in Kansas where sorghum bagasse is
utilized, there would certainly be more
in the sugar cane country. Won't some
Of our business men look into the mat
tor3
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03
FOR RENT.

nNE HUNDRED arpents of land, with
~ buildings and improvements, known MS
the Franklin College Property. For terms
app1ycto either of the undersigned
(TRos. III. LEWIS,
Trustees y. J. THOMPSON.
". X. IRIoN.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Printers in need of good newspa-
per press can get one at bargain by
applying at this Office soon. R. Hoe
& Co. make; will print an 8-column
folio; is in fine condition can be seen
In operation and will be sold at half
original cost.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Everything at sacrifice at Bloch's-
dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes,
furniture, groceries, saddlery, wagons,
agricultural implements, etc. Bring
the cash and take the goods at your
own Drice.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Senior Don Austin Maldorado, bis
two brothers and his sister all living in
Madrid (Spain) have been officially rec
ognized by the Mexican government as
descendants of the Aztec king, Monte
zama, and are to be allowed pensions
accordingly.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03
The K. of P. Supper.

Jefferson Davis Lodge No 90, X. of P,
celebrated its third anniversary on
Thursday night by a banquet at La
combe's hotel, prepared in that famous
caterers best style. Chancellor Com
mander Skipper gracefully presided and
acted as POSTMASTER; and Past Chan
cellor j. ): Thompson in behalf of the
knights, B. F. Anderson, for the X. of
H., S. Jacobs, for the A. O. u. w., and
L.. A. Sandoz, for the A. L. of H., being
successIveIy called upon, responded in
brief but appropriate addresses. Messrs.
b: F. Meginley, G. Goslinski, 0. H. Ter
williger and others were also called up
on, acquitting themselves very neatly,
one OF them growing enthusiastic over
the benefcent and humanizing !nflu-
ences and labors of the noble fraternal
organizations which have their ramiti-
cations in every nook and corner of our
broad land, uplifting humanity, mini
MIXING pauperism, and which stand like
faithful guardians to protect from mis-
and the helpless orphan. He closed by
neatly paraphrasiDg and applying to
these active promoters of the brother
hood of man the we'll known lines of
Tom Moore:
Were it the last drop in the well,
And gasped upon the brink,
Ere my fainting spirit fell,
lis to these that would drink
A number of ladies graced the occa-
sor with their presence, and. as was to
be expected in a company of such gal
liant gentlemen as the Knights, they
came in for their full share of attention.
Sir Knight T. S. Isacks was called
upon by Toastmaster Skipper to pay
his respects to le beau sere, and the ad-
mirable manner In which he acquitted
himself proved conclusiveiy that the
selection was most judicious one.
The senior editor returns thanks for
an invitation to attend and regrets that
he was unable to avail himself of it.
F. We are sorry that the brief time at
our disposal precludes our giving a
more extended account of this interest
ing occasion.
Jefferson Davis Lodge has some fifty
members on its roll and is in most
fourishing condition, and the good eff
fects of its benefcent teachings, in
cementing the holy ties of friendship
andbringing its members more closely
together in the bonds of good fellowship,
are being felt in our community.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

DR.. w. M. Thompson keeps drugs,
patent medicines, fancy articles, school
supplies, stationery. Blank Bro g candies,
Pitkins' celebrated paints, oils, varnish-
es, and everything kept in first class
drugstore.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

If you are going to be ii candidate
for Town Council, yon can't announce
too soon Don't wait until two thirds
of the voters pledge themselves to
some other candidate. Now is the
time to strike. Hand in your name and
be right in the push.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03
NO. a..

with the said ALPHoNsE LEVY as President,
ANTOINE DIETLEIN as rice President and j. Il.
SKIrrER as Cashier, to serve as such until
the second Tuesday in January eighteen
hundred and ninety-five OF until their sue
ressors shall haye been duly elected and
qualified
ARTICLE XII.
The names of the share holders, their
places of residence and the number of shares
held by each of them is as follows, to-wit:
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

There is as much obfuscation in Eng
lsh politics as in the Senatorial ques-
tion in this State. Will Gladstone re-
sign? Will Earl Spencer be Premier I?
These are the questions occupying the
British mind. Will Senator White re-
sign9 Will Blanchard get the plum 2
These are the vexed questions in Lou
isiana-N. 0. Item.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

The st. Landry Homestead and Loan
Association is an important factor in
the npbuilding of Opelousas. Take a
few shares, benefit yourself and assist
in the good work.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

DIR. Duson, specialist, Eye, Ear, Nose
and Throat. Hours from 10 a. m. to 12
N. Office with DR.. 1. E. Shute, Landry
street, between Court and Main, Opel
Ousas, La.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Red Fish, Trout, Sheephead, Oys-
ters, etc., received daily during lent at
Richards new Novelty store. Main
street, opposite COURIER Office.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Fresh beef every Saturday and Sun
day morning at Fux's old stand, at six
cents per pound; choice pieces u cents.
Dejean & SandoZ, proprietors.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

JOS Bloch will astonish yon in low
prices. He carries full line of dry
goods. groceries, boots. shoes. etc, and
is selling them to suit the hard times.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

We have few patent single trees
bought at auction, at bargain, which
We will sell at half PRICE. Only few
left, SO ifyou want one, call ut once at
thia offica
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Drugs, medicines, chemicals, patent
medicines, fine cigars, tooth brushes,
combs, &c, at Bailey's drugstore.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

EPISCOPAL CHURCH.-There Will be divine
service in the "Church Of the Epiphany" on
the I'd Sunday in the month at II o'clock a.
NJ. and on the 4th Sunday at $3.50 p. m, the
Rev A. r. Pricu officiating.
BAPTIST CHURCH.-Opelousas. on the st
and 2nd Sundays of every month.
REV. PHILLIPS, Pastor.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Peerless and Early Rose plant pota-
toes and fresh garden seeds at L. Stuart
Sandoz's, Veltin's old stand.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

METHODIST CHURCH.-At apelousas, lst, Sd
and 4th Sabbaths ii o'clock a. m. and p. III.
Bellevue. I'd Sabbath, II o'clock q. IN 3D.
Sabbath $3.50 p. IN.
Prayer Meeting every Wednesday night ut Z.
SaGSSath School 10 o'clock every Sabbath.
E. II. DENSON, p. C.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Middling cotton sold in New Orleans
last Wednesday at II c., and rough
rice at $500 to $4.00 per sack.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Jos. Bloch's is the place to leave your
small change and get some Of his gr-nt
bargains.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Fancy paper and envelopes, albums,
toilet articles, soaps, perfumeries etc
at Bailey's drugstore.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Beer on dranght, fresh from the re-
frigerator at five cents glass at Firm
berg's saloon.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03
Pay your subscription.

For cheap millinery 60 TO Mrs. l.. Des-
marais'. See advertisement.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

CoAL.-Pittsburg coal delivered any
where within the corporation limits
in any quantities by j. B. Sandoz.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Get our prices for jeb work. Price
moderate.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

The bard times are completely Offset
by the low prices at Jos. BIoch's.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Do not fail to see Jos. Bloch's winter
goods before buying
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03
ChurcIl Directory.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.-Services at Ope-
lousas every Sd Sunday of the month at Ii a.
m., and 7:3O p. III. At Bellevue, the first Sun
day of each month at III a. m. and 7:30 p. m.
REV GEO. FRAZER, Pastor.
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Latest designs in fancy cards, envel
opes, etc, just received a. this Office
The Opelousas courier., 1894-03-03

Prescriptions filled at all hours at
Bailey's drugstore.