The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1900-09-01

G mode Of holding the election. etc.
:. the substance of the act il eXactl J
! what the Board seems to have re
) quired, indeed, | may add, that il
, IS merely detailing specifically what
t the constitution, ,the Steidley act.
t and good business methods would
E have required without It's enactment
1t compels the Drainage Commits
siouers to state in the proposition
which they submit.
First: the amount of the indebted
ness to be incurred; Second, the
amount of bonds to be issued; Third,
the period said bonds are to run,
and Fourth, the purposes for which
they are to issue. The Constitution,
Art. 281, provides: 'snO bonds shall
be issued for any other purpose than
stated in the submission of the pre-
position to the tax payers and pub
lisbed for thirty days, as aforesaid.
nor for greater amount than there
in mentioned, etc."
1t is evident the Commissioners
were hasty. They must ascertain
and tell the tax payers IN advance,
what they propose dong, how much
money it will require, what ponds
they purpose ssuing, their term, etc.
1t is very unreasonable in them to
believe that the x-payer will vote
four mills for twenty years, and af-
ter they will have assured this, these
commissioners will determine what
system OF drainage we are to have
its scope and its cost.
Now to illustrate the necessity of
telling the taxpayers what is to be-
done with the proposed tax.
The Police Jury has included
portion of our City in drainage
district. AS already stated 1t places
the drainage of all the territory
west of Bayou Teche IN the hands
OF the Drainage Commission. 1t is
10 these then, that our people will
have to look for drainage. This is a
most vital question with those west
of the Railroad. What statement is
there from the Commission showing
what system 1t Will adopt to drain
our waters from the City to the pro-
jected canal? 1t is evident the Com
mission will have this to do. Has
any citizen heard of any plan by
which the present defective system,
leading to the Bayou, is to be re-
modelled 50 as to lead to the rear?
Let US suppose that these commls
sloners, to whom the taxpayers would
lntrust their funds, were 10 expend
their entire resources in a canal, ex-
ending from VermlIion Bay to our
suberbs, but left no resources with
which to cut lateral drains leading
rom this City, or f,ndssutflclen, to
IRAN all the territory III the City
requiring drainage to what avail will
tax voted for drainage, have been
20 voted! Let us say that the presen,
5oard will endeavor to do what their
pest Judgment dictates. Suppose
hese IN whom you have confidence
'eslgn or die, and their substitutes,
by the Police Jury (fepre-
enting country wards) are not from
he City, TO whose tender mercles
Will your City drainage be commit
ed? ! wish to emphasize the state
nent that do not propose to crit
Use the conduct ofthe commissioners
Il the splritof antagonlsm. They are
elbow citizens who have undertaken
lrduous public tasks gratu,tously.
They will have sufficient annoyan-
'es III their labors, conscientlousIy
without those incident
o incessant carplng. We all have
perhaps different ways of doing the
anne thing. Let us not 90 into dis
enllons about trlfles, but where per-
nlss3be, support our public servants,
ven though we would not have ac-
ed just the same. All we can ask is
hat they conflne themselves to the
broad lines of duty; which are clear
Y defined and understood by all.
Ce the extent that my aid can be
With them In the project, it will be
heerfully given. But / am led to
hese comments among other rea-
ons, for the on that 1t is desirable
0 take false statements from those,
Who through rtslghted pollcywlsh
0 harm all other proiects3save that
n which they think they have spe-
Ial interest. We want a proper
ystem of drainage; we want Elec-
rlc Lights and waterworks, we want
assume the position of progress
We City. Let us not divide into con-
ilctlng camps. AL. the e improvem-
hts are for the common good. Let
s go about their achievements ina
YStematlc manner. The awakening
I public inter est on behalf of the
ne will insure It's wakefulness for
he other. WALTER J. BURKE.