The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1899-08-19
A Penny Saved Is A Penny
Gained.

Business Man" concerning the towns IL
mited funds with the inquiry. Does st.
MartinvilIe need two policemen for day
service? have heard it stated that the
police service costs the town nine hun
dred dollars per annum more than two
thirds of its income II have been cor
rectly informed; this looks like a care
less waste Of money; it is no more in
the line of economy than would be Civ
ing nine hundred dollars to erect SIX or
seven hundred dollars worth Of lumber
into house. But leaving figures out OF
the question, are the violations Of law
and order sufficiently numerous and ser
iOus to justify the employment Of two
policemen? More particularly as con-
stables have the power to arrest for
breaches Of the peace. "A penny saved
is a penny gained. is as true to-day as
it was when the words were first spoken.
There is one feature Of the negro va
grancy question that has not been men
toned; 1t is the pernicious example set
our white boys by the lazy, worthless
negroes who shun, instead of seek work;
they, observing so many negroes living
without working will soon imbibe the
idea shat work is not respectable. since
negroes get along without Thence
idleness is gentleman's life. The in
fiuence upon the colored boys is more
baneful still; these smiling contented
gentlemen of leisure without visible
means Of support should be made to live
by the sweat of their brow, or forced to
shake the dust of st. Martinville from
their feet; we have tolerated these para
sites long enough; they not only dress
we'll, keep slick and fat. but smoke good
cigars. There Ia something in human
nature akin to the feeling that actuated
the dog in the manger that would not
eat the hay himself nor suffer the OK to
eat 1t. As we do not wish to partake Of
idleness ourselves because it is not the
food we like. let US initiate the dog in
the Manager, prevent those who can
thrive upon 1t from enjoying 1t.
Mr.. Editor, hope you will be kind
and indulgent enough to let me proceed
further In my remarks. as l understand
that an edict has gone forth that the
old men must retire to oblivion and let
the young Solous hold the reins Of gov
eminent and guide public affairs. But
the decree does not say We shall not
talk; surely it is not intended that old
age shall be deprived of garrulity-one
Of the most valued attendants upon de-
clining years. The decree has not taken
into consideration the fact that the
mind is complicated and peculiarly
constructed machine and that its useful.
ness cannot be marked by any particu-
lar number Of years. II Dewey and
Schley had fallen under that ban our
country might still be fighting Spain.
The decree is sufficiently explicit to put
the old fellows to thinking; it is expec.
ted they will play their parts with d.
gnity betting their advanced years, and
submit with unruffled tempers to the in
evitable decree Of fate. thereby giving
the younglings worthy example of re-
signatiOn for imitation when they tread
in our footsteps and are forced to take
medicine similar to that they have pre-
scribed for us. We who are taking on
the "sere and yellow leaf" not having
long to live at best ought to be granted
permission to ventilate an opinion now
and then even IL it does not meet the
approval Of the young wiseacres.
Thoughts are crowding me for utter
ance with such urgency my pen has be.
come 80 disheartened cannot persuade
it to work on In this strain so will have
to humor 1t and let 1t have a brolic; to
put the idea POLITICALLY;
Thoughts come and go 30 thick and fast,
The pen is left no room to pass.
assure you this poetical outburst is
entirely original; moreover, it came
spontaneously from the fountain of gen.
ius. Opportunities are only wanted to
call forth other sublime illusions. They
are standing ready to gush out at the
slightest bidding. You can gee what
robbers these yOunglings would prove
sometimes by RELOCATING grey hairs to
the rear. You behold right here an old
fOgy ready to bloom into an illustrious
poet whose productions might refine and
edify coming generations il only given