New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1902-08-09
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.

an article written for one OF on
leading journals one of orr pic
neers states that 1.-THE colony o
Iberia in 17SS consisted Of ont
hundred and seventy souls.
Over a century of existence L
ii not time for us to assert Onr ma
tnrity9 We certainly are of ag'
and should begin to assume som'
of those dignities and qualitie:
that age is entitled to. While W.
have made considerable progress
such as waterworks, electric lights
some sewerage, fine churches ant
school houses and are now a city
Of eight thousand souls, still VT
are far from being up to date OF
abreast with the times. There are
many things we lack that our more
progressive, but less favored towns
possess. We think the time has
arrived for onr City Council &c
entertain the project of paved
streets. Other towns Of less popu.
latiOn and less natural advantages
possess them, and why should not
we? Main street from Center to
Railroad avenue at least should
be paved either with asphalt o,
vitrified brick. The expense is
not so enormous and can be equally
divided between the property
holders and the proposed cleo
trio car lines. One third of
the street, or its center, could be
maintained by the ear compan-
les and the other two thirds, each
side of the street, maintained by
the property owners. The Council
ought TO to act promptly, and with
no uncertain voice, and the people
would in the end ratifyand sustain.
There might be a g:oan of horror
go mp from chronic mossbacks atthe
seeming extravaganza, but in the
end all parties would be satisfied
when the paved street became a
fact adding to the beauty, conven-
and health of the town and
to the value of the property in the
paved district, to say nothing of
the satisfaction and civic pride
which a beautiful street would en-
gender. As an instance of how
innovations work on a
community, may be cited the city
of Shreveport, whose beautifully
paved streets and electric car lines
are Il matter Of pride to its citizens,
it is stated that when the city
council adopted the ordinance com
pelling the paving Of Texas street,
its main street, the citizens held an
Indignation meeting and roasted
the council, and and such words as
thieves, leeches, usurpers, confis-
cation, ruination and other choice
explosives were heaped upon them,
but the council went ahead, the
street was paved, it was thing of
oeauty and JOY forever, and in
ess than a year the council was
,etitioned to extend the paving to
,ther streets, which has been done.
We can do the same here. Our
Council is equal to the occasion.
)ne Of its members, Mr.. Jules
D. Dupuy, is now visiting cities
With reference to the cost of the
different kinds Of paving and we
nay look for some energetic work
when he returns. Our Council has
been heretofore handicapped for
he want of funds, but to business
men plans will readily present
themselves for the raising of the
'unds, and future generations will
,ay the bill. Another great need
If our town is public square. We
rave not a single public place
where people can congregate for
exercise or refreshment, and yet no
own in all Southwest Louisiana
has such a number Of
beautiful sites for public parks as
New Iberia. The Weeks grove,
where stands the mnsic pavilion
could be easily enlarged and beau
fled for the purpose. The grand
I'D homestead Of the Weeks family
Gould be made into a realm of
beauty and loveliness that conld
lot be approached by any town in
he State. No doubt these places
ould be easily obtained and used
or the purpose indicated. And
low, before real estate values are
'rohibitive, what would seem to
ur City Fathers as big price now
would in few years seem a pit
ance. Grid up your loins City
fathers. Pull yourselves together
nd rise to the occasion, and 10
our opportunities!
Yncf InnL. A. Her