The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1900-05-19
s. cor FOSTER MESSAGE.

eral Assembly Gov. Foster gives a
history Of the eight years
Of his administration Of the affairs
Of the State.
The governor tells of The chief
events which have transpired during
his stewardship and gives a fair
picture of the present prosperous
Of the State.
The governor devotes consider
able space to the constitutional con-
vention. He bestows deserved
praise upon that BODY for its wise
and statesmanlike solution of the
suffrage question.
The Insane Asylum, the Institute
for the Blind, the Deaf and Dumb
Institute, the State University, the
Normal School, the Ruston Indus.
trial College, the Charity Hospital
and the other State institutions are
reported to be in splendid condi-
ton. The governor shows by fig
ures that vast deal Of levee work
has been done under his administra-
ton.
After eulogizing the present cleo
ton law Gov. Foster recommends
the passage of law legalizing
primaries.
The people Of Lafayette will he
particularly pleased to read what
Gov. Foster said of the Southwest
ern Louisiana Industrial Institute.
He said:
No state institution has been inaugurated
under more favorable Or fattering auspices
than the Southwestern Industrial College at
Lafayette. With friendly emulation be-
tween the parishes of Lafayette aud Iberia
and their respective leading towns as to
which should be the domicile o the college,
it became no easy task for the board to make
the selection under the terms of act No. 162
or 1898.
On Jan. 3 of the present year the board
visited Lafayette and Iberia to hear the in
ducements offered and view the sites pro-
posed for the location of the college. After
due deliberation and a comparison of the
m any inducements offered, Lafayette was
selected under the following specific offers:
First--The donation of twenty-five acres
of land, beautifully situated, the gift of
private citizen, valued at $4,000.
Second-A cash bonus subscribed by the
citizens of Lafayette of $4,000.
Third-A cash bonus of the police jury of
the parish of Lafayette, $1,000, and,
dollar on the assessed valuation of the
property of the parish of Lafayette for ten
years.
In order to make the needed amount in
cash available the two local banks, with
public spirit, at agreed
to advance $4,000 upon the 2 mill tax
which had already been voted.
desire to call attention to the fact that
he movement to Secure this institution at
Lata yette was the spontaneous and almost
unanimous action of the people of that town
and parish led by number of progressive
and puolic-sprited citizens, and it is most
1ealthful and fatsering indication of the
ieep interest in behalf of the cause of edu-
cured the college, the offers of Iberia parish
generous and their efforts active and earnest
o secure for their people the great benefits
If this institution of learning.
After considering the claims and qualifi-
cations of a number of educators, it was
determined to place Prof.
E. L. Stephens at the head of the institution
md he was accordingly duly elected and
accepted the trust. Prof. Stephens is a
native of Louisiana, educated at the State
University, where he took high rank. He
,ently qualified to successfully conduct the
important affairs of this institution. In ac-
:ordance with the views of the board he is
organizing this college ON broad lines, care
ully working out the details in connection
herewith, and, by practical knowledge and
experience, aided by personal inspection
md examination of other similar institutions
throughout the country, of the opinion
hat, at its opening, the college will be
'fficered and equipped in a manner that will
ullv meet the expectations of it's promoters
nd merit the love and gratitude of our
'eople.
1t will be necessary to provide means for
he future maintenance of this school and for
IS future equipment. 1 believe that its To-
alton IN this particular sect ion of the State
nd am pleased to commed it to the favor
bic consideration of your honorable bodies
nd to enroll it amo ng the valued institutions