The weekly Thibodaux sentinel. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 1898-1905, 1900-02-17

Has to Help the Town in . Practical
Way.
The Town authorities, have, at q
great expense, put up water.works
and electric light plant, procuring the
very best machinery for the money
invested. The. consequence is, that
the Town can boast Of a. good and
effective system as any other com.
munity in the country. Iu order to
induce as many of its citizens as
possible to take water aud lights, the
Council established very moderate
rates for the service to be given.
Every one who has taken tho service,
whether of water or lights is perfectly
satisfied, and would not do without
either. There are still many persons
Of means who could easily afford TO
have their houses wired, and who
could have water conveniences on
their premises, and yet who volun.
tari'y deprive themselves Of these
most valuable advantages.
The Town authorities never ia-
tended to speculate On its citizens,
and the thought of making a big
profit on the operation Of its water
and light plant never once entered
the miLds Of our city fathers, we are
sure. What they had a right to
expect, however, was, that II e citizens
of the municipality would, at least,
make the plants self-sustainlng. 1t
is needless to say that the re, enues
from water and lights do MT suffice
to pay running expenses, aud that
the other sources OF revenue Of the
town, have to be drawn upon to meet
the bills for the splendid system OF
water and electric lights, furnished to
the public, free of charge. In thus
treDching upon the taxes and licenses
for the expenses of the water works
aud lights, our Council are left with
but scanty means to provide the
necessary improvements on oul
streets II all the ordinary revenues
Of the Town could be used exclusively
on the streets and drainage, asd s.hss
works Of public Improvement, a dif.
ferent condition of affairs would be
presented. and we would have other
improvements, that would place Thi
bodaux in the front rank of up,to
date communities.
What is necessary, then, is for all
our citizens, who do not contribute to
the electric light, aud water fand to
t Ike steps to put in their residences
what are called, with much reason,
the "modern improvements. All,
except the very poor. ought to have
at least a hydrant in the yard or
garden, with a section of hose, ready
for use in case of IN incipient fire on
the premises. Those who can
afford it, and there are many families
here that have the means, should
contract for a bathroom fitted up
with the flush system of water-closets
and stationary bath-tub supplied
with water from the mains. These
advantages aud conveniences can 10
placed in house, at a very moderate
expense, and there are several
mechanics 10 this town, who know
all about them, and who could order
them for any one who may desire
them in residences 1t the majority
of our people could be induced to
discard the old style dirty and fiihy
privies with their nOis ONE AMI un-
wholesome OdOrs, that poison the
atmosphere and endanger the publ.
health, ss they certainly add to the
discomfort of the neighbors, this town
would become more desirable as a
place of residence.
The notion prevails. to some extent,
that it Is very costly to install electric
lights in a house. OF course, if
elaborate fixtures are ordered, the
cost is certainly considerable, bu:,
man of moderate means can easily
have a few lights ip his house at trif.
ling expense. The Towu authorities
will send their operator to put up
wiring IN any house. on demand. and
will charge Only the cost of the
material aud for the actual labor OF
their workman. Nothing can be
fairer than this.
We hope, therefore, ttat every ona,
who can afford 1t. will hasten to
install both water cOnveniences aud
electric 'ighs on their premises.
Lost or 1lislaid.