The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1905-08-19
Willie Plate Mass Meeting.
Vile Plate, La, Augt. II, 100

| Vile Plate, La, Augt. II, 1905.
Pursuant to a call of prominent
citizens of Vile Plate and vicinity
a mass meeting was held here to-
day. The Mayor opened the meet
ing with few we'll chosen words
cordially welcoming the assembly
and expressing the wish to be able
to extend better welcome in the
near future when railroad would
be built here.
On motion of Mr.. Arthur OAR
deau, Messrs II. E. Currie and E.
E. Ortego were elected President
and Secretary respectively.
The President, on taking the
chair, stated that the meeting was
held in the interest Of no special
line of railroad, but was merely
an initial movement to encourage
railroad building here, and to ad-
vertise our superior advantages
for prospective lines.
The chairman called Oh several
persons to address the meeting.
The first speaker was Hon. Dud-
ley Guilbeau, who made a short
but appreciative address in french
giving many good reasons why
railroads are great factors in the
development of a place. -
Mr.. l.. A. Fontenot was the
second speaker. He dwelt elo-
quently on the advantages derived
from railroads, and refuted many
objections advanced in their op-
position.
Hon. Gilbert L. Dupre then
followed with an address in eng
lish in which he emphasized the
necessity of railroads in our time,
and gave many reasons why we
should encourage them, and ex-
planned how light the contribu-
tions usually demanded b them
when compared with the immense
benefits derived from them.
Mr.. E. E. Ortego took the floor
and gave a brief outline of the
natural resources Of the place and
the great advantages which would
follow in the development of the
place by easy means of transport
alton.
Mr.. L. J. Dossmann was then
called upon to give his views.
He said this was IA local affair and
the people had to decide for them
selves what action to take, but he
entertained no doubt in his mind
as to the great profit which this
place would reap in the event Of
competing lines of railroads being
built here.
Mr.. Dave Haas vas next called
upon. He said the actual work
on his road had already commenc-
ed and he believed he would be
able at this date next year to move
freight on his line. After this
line is completed, he would be
ready to entertain any proposition
Hooking toward extending his line
to other points and notably to
IOpelousas should the people SO
desire.
L On motion of Mr.. A. Lafieur,
, committees, each consisting of
three, were appointed to COM
; municate with the Southern Paci-
fic, Kansas City Southern, Colora-
do Southern and Bunkie railroad
companies with the view of show
ing the advantages which Vile
Platte and surrounding sections
have, and to endeavor to have
them build through this section.
The Chairman appointed the fol-
lowing committees:
i Southern Pacific.-E. E. Orte'
go, Albert Lafieur, Evariste Vid'
, rine.
, Kansas City Southern-Adraste
Lafleur, FL. E. Currie, DR.. julie:
E. Vidrine.
+ Colorado Southern. -Armane
) Coreil, Eluis Ardoin, Sidney Fon
2 tenot.
Bunkie.-R. L. Derouen, Arth
ur Dardeau and DR.. E. Thomp
: son.
: On motion of E. E. Ortego ,tht
e following resolutions were adop
ted:
: Whereas, our community, ricl
4 in natural resources and distan
: from large markets, has been de
: MED easy lines of transportation
d therefore,
+ Be it Resolved-That we ar,
r heartily in favor of railroads II
: our midst; that we favor granting
any reasonable inducement which
would influence railroad building
I in our place. We invite railroad
d prospectors to visit our commu
J, nifty to be convinced of the unusu
e al advantages which our place of
f fers to transportation lines.
It Be it further Resolved-Tha
= we extend thanks to all visitor
who so kindly contributed to th
success of our meeting.
l. Be it further Resolved-Tha
J. the above resolutions be sent ou
/ local press and the N. 0. Times
- Dopnorat with ranuast f., nuhlial