The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1900-06-16
Gen. Avery
Writes on the Subject of the
Parish Treasurership
And Thinks the Choice of
Mr.. a. B. Romero
A. Proper One.
AVERY ISLAND, LA.
June 18th, 1900
A. Proper One.
AVERY island, La.
June 18th, 900

June 18th, lSOt
EDITOR SEMI-W EEKLY IBERIAN:
SIR: In your edition of June 18th
| have read an interview with Mr.
A. B. Romero recently rec .ected
Secretary and Treasurer by the Po,
lice Jury; and | also note an sdi
torlal in the same paper signed W.
crlticizing the action Of the new Po-
lice Jury in electing a Secretary and
Treasurer. As the editorial abeve
referred TO contains some mIstate-
ments and Is apt to mlslead the pub
lie, | desire to correct them. In
the first place, when Mr.. Romero
was candidate for the positions of
Secretary of the Police Jury, and
Parish Treasurer, four years AGO,
had the deciding vote, and for rea.
sOns which wers good and sufficient
10 me, east 1t in his favor, thus
securing his election. He has made
an honest, faithful and efficient off.
Ger and | have, therefore, never had
any cause TO regret my choice, and
urged the new Police Jury to retain
bis services. 1t is the rue through
out the State, with but few excep-
tloEs, to allow the Parish Treasurer
5 per cent commission on al Parish
Funds passing through his hands.
In addition to this he is ex-otiicio
Treasurer of the School Board for
which he is allowed . per cent
commission by Iaw-Messrs. James
L. Burke for many years, and bis
Mr.. p. L. Renoudet, as
Parish Treasurer received the usual |
commission of per cent, without
creating comment.
In 1895, thinking the commission
of . per cent too high, l commenced
personal correspon dence with the
Presidents of the Police Juries
throughout the State, asking infor-
nation rs to compensation of Parish
rreasurers and Sscl etaries of Police
jurlss. In most instances the salary |
.or Treasurer was based upon 5 |
per cent commission, but IN some
,i the poorer Parishes the salary of |
Treasurer was fixed at $3.50 per an
num. The Parish of Ascension
paid her Secretary aud Treasurer
81, 200 per annum. ] ,abula,ed this
Information and laid 1T before the
Police Jury, which came into office
n 1896. Upon my recommendation
Ind in the interest of economy, the
officss of Secretary and Parish Trea
lrer were merged, and an allowance
made that officer of $3.50 as Secle-
AIRY, and $3.50, per annum, as Par
sh Treasurer, a saving to the Par
sh OF more than 81, 200 per annu'n
The Parish Treasurer, has to give a
oond OF $40, 600 and as "lhs laborer
8 worthy of his hire" if he faithful
y performs his duties, he fully earns
hs meagrs compensation allowed
nm. In regard to the offer of the
State Bank to act as Parish Treas
lrer without compensation, it would /,
lave been entirely improper to con-
lder 1t, as It's cashier Mr.. Subsr-
,ielle, was member elect of the
Police Jury and also a candidate
or The Presidency of that body.
N my opinion the deposits of the
Parish, should have been divided |
equally betwesn the Banks of New
IBERIA, so that If unfortunately dis
lster overlook any one Of them, we
would not have call our eggs III one
basket" And finally, Mr.. EIitor,
t has been the rule with each of Il e |
great political parties, which have
rom time to time governed our
Great Republic, to reward their ad-
nerents by giving them office. If
hey are honest, intelligent and eff
,ient, / cannot see how the public
Jan suffer loss from such appoint
ments.
Very respectfully,
DUDLEY AVERY,
Er-President of the Police Jury.