The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1901-09-07
BENEvoLENT ASSOCIATIONS.
THE .sAAMMERERS."

ZAE 's7a MMEkER.S
Recently the New Orleans States
has been paying its respects to the
sthammerers" of that city. We as
sumo that our readers understand
what is meant by the word cham
merer." The meaning of this word
is the same as that of ssknocker" or
chicken" 1t Is used to describe
that peculiar class of people whose
business and pleasure it is to OPP
pose progress under any and all Cir
cumstances. Their self-imposed
task is to oppose anything and
everything that may help the town
in which they live. They are eter-
nally and everlastingly against what
a majority Of their fellow-citizens
may happen to want. They are ac-
compiished croakers and from
morning till night their voice is
heard in strenuous opposition to all
kinds of improvements. They have
the Chinese hatred for innovations
and had they been born in the
celestial kingdom they would have
been distinguished ''boxers." In
childhood they first learn to lisp the
word ono" and when they are laid
to rest with their fathers they would
turn their feet to the east in mute
protest against a custom honored by
many centuries. They would pre-
fer to be dead than to agree with a
majority of the community in favor
of a public improvement. They
seldom, if ever. utter a word OF
commentator of local institution
and instead of speaking favorably
of the town, they never miss an op-
portunity to make disparaglng re-
marks about it, particularly in the
presence of strangers.
But fortunately the 'shammerers"
are not so numerous. They are
scattered all over the country and
every town, large and small, has
Its quota. New Orleans is bravely
to overcome the malignant
influence welded by the cham
and it is to be hoped that
it will succeed. Since the terrible
storm the people of Galveston have
shown commendable pluck and
energy in their efforts to rebuild the
city, but i: appears that the cham
are trying to supplement
the work of the storm with their own
destructive methods, as will be seen
by the following lines printed on
card, copy of which was sent to
he Daily States:
HOW TO REHABILITATE GALVESTON.
81. Join in no effort, of organizations or
striving to build up the city.
This will encourage others to give their time
Ind money to secure this end.
s'2. Belle and SANDER those who have
lone and are doing all that human men can
10 to help place the city on Its feet. Impugn
hem with a desire to feather their own nest, |
md thus inspire them with patriotic desire
o help you and others live in safety, love
md prosperity in the fairest city in the
United States. ,
So. Always act like sorehead pour cold
vater on every local enterprise, to which
on have not contributed cent. Patronize I
IL tailors, shoemakers and other merchant
ivals in neighboring town, thus stimula-
ing trade.
this Or that place they will get
obbed, its linen is dirty and its goods i
often, and its sea breeze is not impregnated
nth salt. 1t will be incentive for others
D come. I
ss5. To the citizen from the Mud Fork
:uss OUT the public and private officials ito I
heir backs of course.) GUS about the Z
'ater in the Bay, of which you personally
ont know whether it is salt or sweet, deep [
r shallow. Impress him with your own i
Importance, and they will the shape of
our ears.
SO. See that you throw every scrap of S
aper in the streets, empty your Stops on the
round, spit in the cars and the side
alks, and then cuss the Health Depart r
lent. Don't help to keep the city clean;
rangers might think you mice
81. Oppose all enterprises not in exact I
ccord with your ideas. Oppose every man =,
no does not believe or think politically or s
.ligious1y you do. This will be condu- f,
We to that spirit of concession and unity
hich is necessary to progress and an ex-
application of the golden rule.
ssS. Give sparingly, if at all, to move
ents for the general good of the city, even
you are considered a large property holder.
you are too poor, or parsimonious, just 81
iticise. Thus squirting on to greater ex-
tions the public-spirited citizens now
lve and including others to come. O
SO. Be a snoOp; there are others-from
hich the Lord deliver us. h
$50. Stand on the corners, in the
rect cars, and tell every one you intend to
) away next month, are afraid to stop III
niger in the city. agitate the spirit of fear
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