The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1900-09-01
THE PROPOSED WATER WORKS AND
ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT.

tiOn OF StChl = ~ :, -
FORKS and electric lights adequate
= ne needs Of New Iberia has been
hefore its people. The constant and
persistent agitation Of the subject
panlminated in q vote of the people
one wear ago authorizing a bond
issne without tax levy for the pur-
nose of securing these important
ppnhlic utilities. Your undersigned
board of Trustees have since that
fine labored assiduously and per-
s;stentlv to accomplish this task.
A serious obstacle in the way of
the accomplishment of the project
hos been the outstanding indebted
ness of the city.
When we assumed charge of the
affairs of the city on June 10Th,
1000 we found its outstanding
obligations as follows;
Warrants. ,....'. ..'.....''. 4'o o9a '4 :"
Mites ............ ...... 4,"9-.oU
,T.,lot uouse . $4,000. 90
$24, 0S4. 45
Since then there has been added
N this debt the purchase price
of the electric light plant s 5.50o.00
Naa line ........... .... 1905. 90
Purchase of lot on Washington
81. on which is due balance OF l,5Oo.oo
Lot for proposed water works
~, oloctr;c lioht plant 500. 90
Notes due for purchase of shells =, 10000
$12, sos. 90
Part of the indebtedness created
by our predecessors having been
Maid off, the total outstanding obi
cations of the city now amount APP
proximately to 1921 to which
must be added the 2 = per cent
commission Of the consulting en-
gineer for the water works and
electric light plants or $2250, max
ING q grand total Of 5000.
For nearly one year, with the as
sistance Of attorneys specially en-
ployed for the purpose, we have
sought to place the bonds authorized
by vote of the people; efforts
along this line developed the fact
that while the Constitution auth
orizes an issue of ten per cent of
the assessed valuation of the city,
investors are not guided by this
provision, but by amount resulting
from the number of mills voted for
given period of time, based upon
the existing assessed valuation at
the time of the authorization of the
special tax levy. SO that if New
Iberia had voted five mill tax for
ten years upon her assessed valua-
ton Of 81, 1l0,00O lastyear, all that
she could have iloated Of bonds
would have been $55, 900 But in
view Of the outstanding indebted
ness Of the city, even that amount
could not have been hoated.
Finding that a bond issue was
impracticable, attention was di-
rected to finding contractors who
would be willing to enter into
contract with the city to put in a
system of lights and water, and ac
-cepting partial payments annually.
This field gave hope of success, and
by persistent effort negotiations
were opened first with a Chatta-
nooga firm, who sent a representa-
tive here, but who subsequently
withdrew owing to the debt resting
upon the city.
Then came upon the scene Messrs.
N. 7. Lewman & Co., Of Louisville,
Ky. After conference with their
representative, Mr.. I'll. l.. Lewman,
ne expressed willingness to I'M
dertake to erect the works desired
upon the terms proposed by the city.
Immediately proposals were
asked from three reputable and
experienced civil engineers, who
nad previously visited the city, to
draw plans and specifications and
supervise the work. Capt. T. w.
Nlcol, of Mobile, Ala, was selected
% q compensation of 2laa upon
the contract price, the first pay
ment OF one-fourth of the total
compensation to be paid upon com
pietlon of plans and specifications
ana signing Of contract the balance
. the work progressed.
Inc first proposition submitted
" Mr. Lewmau was made condi-
ss,,onally and 50 accepted BY the city.
mere again the Indebtedness Of the
c!ty proved an obstacle, and while
~ Lewman was inclined 10 take
y part OF this Indebtedness, there
we're legal impediments in the way,
sne u was agreed that a conference
IN = neid by attorneys representing
Ovsn Sides to determine legal plan |
ncreoy contract could be entered |
,nso by the city, that would stand
M al test. Judge John Clegg, of
e. ! Vrleans, was selected to re-
5esent Mr.. Lewman, and Mr.
q; Z. Burke represented this city.
= icing understood that proposals
~eEe % De invited for the perfor-
n1ece Of the work in the event that
Il