The Opelousas courier., 1897-05-01
The Chautauqua Circle.

with the firm determination to establish
on the right basis ii progressive mi IN
teresting organization which will stand
ready to extend IA helping hand to any
ambitious young man or woman, anu
we believe there are many IN our mldst.
The slight misunderstanding which
grew up out of the false assumption on
The part of some that this was a social
organization (Which in two or three
meetings would have developed into a
dancing club pure and slnlple) has, to
some extent, lessened our numbers, but
not in tic least has it decimated u
force, for that lost through them has
been replaced by redoublea determine
ton to go right ahead on the right basis
and establish "Llterary and Scientific
Circle" based on the Chautauqua system
OF education. That system is Il far
reaching one. 1t enables n who is
tied down by home ties, lack OF means,
or other causes, to remain at ON ana,
with a little application and a minimum
of expense, secure tho highest cdnca-
tional advantages. Now, does not Ope-
lousas need something of this kind!
We have our High School and it is doing
magnificent work under the manage
ment of its able principal, but education
by no means ends with school life, nor
even with Il high school diploma. This
is an age OF progress-changes occur
with such amazing rapidity as to almost
bewilder one. New inventions are III
PRODUCED, the forces Of nature studied
and to some extent brought under con-
troll, the wheels of progress are turning
faster and faster. DO we wish to be be-
hind the times or have our children
compare ~unfavorably with others? No,
indeed! then how is this to be avoided!
BY study, determined and pcrslstant
study. TO study one must have books.
Books cost money, and that is just the
article many find themselves needing.
They can not for a moment entertain
the idea of going to Yale, Princeton,
Vasser or Tulane and even in some i'll
stances have not the time to 60 to st.
Landry High School. Think you it
would not be an advantage to such a
one to have at their disposal the very
best books that the world has produced,
and tho magazines and periodicals.
which are up to date, discussing all live
questions. late inventions aud advanced
iGeas2 For the very small sum OF 5O
cents matriculatlon fee and ten cents a
month dues we will endeav0r to have
these things at your disposal. After a
certain prescribed course of reading the
Chautauqua Circle issues diplomas.
There is a movement on foot to have
these Chautauqua diplomas by act OF
legislature recognized along with the
state normal diplomas.
The amount of information gained by
a. steady and persistant course OF 30
minutes il day reading carried on for
four years is astonishing and highly de-
sirable. knowledge is power-then let
us by all means acquire knowledge.
There is an untold amount of latent
ability among the boys and girls of OPP
elousas; they have God given abilities.
Is it not the duty OF every earnest, right
minded man and woman to do all they
can to place in the hands of these prom
Using girls and boys the means to devel-
ose their native powers? We cordially
invite all who wish to see our town I'M
prove-young men and women, boys
and girls, Older men and. women-tojo join
our circle and help us make it what it
help to build up a good thing. Ii prop
erly conducted, this movement may be
developed into an all around benefit to
the town from a financial as well as in
tellectual standpoint.
The last meeting was held at DR.. May
er's office. Officers were elected as fol-
lows: President. Mrs. NJ. M. Hayes; vice
President, Mr.. Gardiner; Secretary, Mrs.
S. It. Crawford; Treasurer, Prof. Reed.
Governing Committee: DR.. Mayer,
Mrs. Settoon, Mr.. r. Firnberg, Mrs.
Redmond, Mr.. Threlkeld, Miss Ella
Richard, Miss Edwards, Mr.. Jno. Hum
bic, Miss L. Biacksher.
Press Committee (standing) was APP
pointed as follows: Clarion, Miss Ed
wards and Prof. Dupuy; Courier, Mrs.
Settoon and Miss Louise Randle; Fri
bune, Mrs. Reed and Miss Bfacksher.
Prof. Reed offered an amendment to
bylaws, by which seven are declared to
a quorum. Lemonade and
pop franchise at the May Day Tourna-
ment was accepted by the Circle and
put ia the hands of Mrs. Settoon and
Mr.. Firnberg.
The offer of Mr.. Loomis, of Chicago,
of 100 nicely bound 16 mo. books, all
being of a high class of Literature, for
10 subscriptions to the magazine "Oc-
cult Science Library" was accepted.
The magazine costs $1.0O per year aud
is monthly, five subscriptions have been
The roll call in connection with
the report Of committee on membership
evinced a live membership OF 80. Many
Of the original signers not having re-
ported.
The list is still open for charter mem
bers, after the next meeting all appli-
cants must send in application subject
to ballot. Next meeting at DIR. Mayors
Office, on Tuesday the 4th.