St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1903-06-20
matter aud bringing it to final sue
Respectfully,

Respectfully,
CITIZEN.
This launches the campaign for
II system of sewerage for tho town
of Opelousas. Although the let
ter and circular are simply signed
.Citizen," the Clarion knows the
source from which they enanate
and it knows that the agitation
will not be dropped, because it may
meet with temporary reverses and
objections. Tho author is a hus-
tier, u good citizen and a heavy
taxpayer; II man who has the iia-
terest of tho town at heart; who
has always striven for its npbuild-
ing and progress.
While it is % fact that the town
has just contracted for sidewalks,
which will entail considerable ex-
pense to both the town and the
property owners, the bald PROPOSE
ton that Opelousas is in an awful
sanitary condition stares the peo"
ple i'm the face. 1t does not take
the olfactory of pointer dog
or the searchlfght OF q modern
| man-of.war to detect the flth
and germ-breeding cutters and
cess-pools in almost every por-
tion of town--and all this not
withstanding the fact that the
town is favored with natural drain
age advantages perhaps possessed
by no other town in the State. with
the lesson, almost in the center
and the Rawls gully in the eastern
portion OF the town, with Il natural
incline to these streams from every
section of town, there really should
scarcely be need OF q sewerage
system to maintain the city in q
perfect sanitary condition.
! Opelousas is large enough, popu'
llous enough, rich enough to have
u sewerage system. Its citizens
should join in the movement, and
| let go the motor wheel only when
| a first-class system is put down
All progressive towns have sewer
age towns smaller and less pre-
tentfous than Opelousas. But II
takes time for this. It has to be
voted upon, bonds floated, con
| tracts let out, and the thing itsel
built. In the meantime we are IN
lslime. The germ-breeding pools
privies and cutters are not goins
to suspend activity awaiting tht
construction of sewerage. No tag
of truce goes with them. Exter
nination is the only way to pu
them ont of business j; to stop thel
death-dealing mission. What WI
want now is for the health officers
the Town Council and the Boart
iof Health to act. Have q palt
Ehealth officer to SO around AM
see to these violators OF the santa
tary laws-yested with the poWe
to make the offenders clean Up
We don't mean to have hired asal
ary-dra,yer. who snaiIs around hi
Efriends' premises with his head u
like goose under a mulberry tre'
1--we mean a health officer with
commensurate salary, who will q
3 his duty wholly and impartial.
Money could not be S pent in oe'
tier cause than in hiring II comps
tent, conscientious, impartis
Q health officer for the town of OPP
lousas. The health OF the iniiab
1tants of any town deserves MOI
consideration than is granted u
inhabitants Of Opeiousas. Adm'
, nitious and suggestions here al
lcalled "kicks,D and filth accumI
Hates and typllus and other germ
run rampant through the land al
go out on dress; parade after ever
= shower.
II These arc facts we'll known.
4 These are facts commented upc
! by all observaIlt citizens.
These are facts that any phys
y elan will tell SOU exist.
:. Sewerage, yes; but in the inea
" time, while waiting, let our count
d and health officers see that q
IL health of the inhabitants OF q
. town is thing for their consider
/. ton; let them see that beciau
r, Mr.. is ahigh-toned GENT
IS man OF influence" is no reason wi
7 lie should not be compelled to ha'
Is his privy cleaned, or the weeds
his yard cut, or the gutter in fro
r OF his place disturbed.
: Tho town is Ill an awful SAINT
. ry condition il can't walt for Sc
Is eraau; it needs attention NOW.