The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1903-04-11
BIG MEETING.
At BrOussard in Favor of
Special School Tax.

" dS ucu1CuOcu '" I'LL
appropriate exercises by the
public spirited SOntag Military
Band.
After the exercises by the
school children, President A.
Olivier, of the Parish School
Board called the meeting to
order.
Mr.. Gilbert ST. Julien, in
chaste French, paid an eloquent
tribute to that great Southern
educational leader DR.. Edwin A.
Alderman, and to the distin-
guished guest of Broussard,
Professor FOrtier. After warm
words of welcome Mr.. ST. Julien
introduced the principal speaker
of the day, Professor Alcee
Fortier. of Tulane University.
Mr. Fortier delivered an adj
dress on the necessity of a
special tax in order to maintain
a good system of public schools.
His language was simple and
strong, and re illustrated his
arguments copiously with exam
pies taken from history. He
dwelt upon the necessity of
education for girls as we'll as
boys and spoke of the esthetic
influence of music and drawing
in the public schools. Educa-
ton did not simply consist
of the material side as repre-
scented by arithmetic and writ
ing: there are the esthetic or cul-
ture studies which was as inn
pOrtant. But the great source
of all knowledge was nature.
Fortier said that
public schOol-hOuse should not
be hut. The building must
itself be neat and attractive and
be of such a character as
would materially contribute to
the esthetic training of the child.
A school system properly con-
Quoted required funds far in
of that generally obtained
from the State and parish; and
the only sure way of establish
ing a public school system on a
sure footing was to supplement
the State and parish funds with
a special tax for schools.
He deplored the condition of
the ignorant and said that par
rents should make every sacri
fee for the education of their
who were entitled to
the best that could be done for
them. Professor Fortier APP
pealed to the parents to do their |
duty in this matter and he as
sured his hearers that he had a
deep interest in this movement :
which meant 50 much for the !
parish of Lafayette.
Mr.. For tier was followed by :
Judge Mouton, who though not |
IN the program accepted Presi- !
lent DIVERS Invitation to say a
few words in favor Of better
schools. Judge Mouton's know
edge of law enabled him to ex ,
plain fully the significance of
/ special tax. 1t is sacred
:und, he says, which must be
for the purpose for
which it is raised. The Judge
relieved the heavy strain upon
lis audience by indulging in a
Dit of humOr now and then. He
said that the word tax was not
to the ear as was
he music made by the Sontag
Band. The word tax
crates against the tympanum
If the ear. but after all there
vas nothing more just than
equitable taxation. He showed
he necessity of special tax in /
Lafayette parish. The parish
lad gone far in the march of
progress and it should not stop
until it had become one of the
parishes of the State. |
Judge MOutOn ended with a
strong appeal to the citizens of
he parish to realize the full i'm
,ortance of the movement to
'aise ample funds for the public
schools and said that he was
cry much mistaken in his judg-
nent if the people of this pa IRISH
lid not do their full duty in this
natter and vote the small tax
The Reverend Father Roquet
vas next invited to express his
Jews on the subject, and he did
% cOncisely and forcefully. He
heartily endorsed the proposed
AK for schools. He did not be-
ieve in huts for school houses.
The proposed tax was a paltry
me, only three mills, and he felt
certain that no property holder
would refuse such an insignific-
mt tax for such a grand cause.
lie was in favor of the tax and