The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-02-11
WHY Such DeIaye

Many weeks ago vacancy occurred
in the membership of the Donaldson
vile town council by reason OF the re
moyal of DIR. T. Fl. Hanson from the
third 10 the second municipal ward
and the name of W. D. Park, cashier
Of the Bank of Donaldsonville and q
lifelong resident of the town, was for
warded to Gov. Blanchard with a re-
quest that Mr.. Park be appointed to
succeed DIR. Hanson as one OF the al
dermen from the third ward. The re-
quest was contained in a resolution
unanimously adopted by the town
council, and so far as known no other
name has been presented for the gov
ernor's consideration and no opposi-
ton exists to the selection Of Mr.. Park
to FIJI the pending vacancy.
Under these circumstances it is diff
ficult to surmise why there should be
such delay in making the appoint
ment. There are only seven members
Of the town council, at least four OF
dIO w OO LII SobSbo oASS
ia order to constitute legal quorum
for the transaction OF business. With
the membership reduced to six by
reason OF the present vacancy, it not
infrequently happens that three mem
bers OF the council are kept away by
reason OF illness, absence from town
or some other unavoidable cause, and
the municipal business is subject to
neglect because Of the impractibility
of securing quorum of the council at
regular or speci al meetings.
There seems to be no good reason
for the continuance of this state of af-
fairs, and if the matter has been in
advertantly overlooked The Chief
takes the liberty of calling it to the
attention of Gov. Blanchard and sng-
costing that action be taken without
further delay. IF the power to fill the
vacancy was lodged by law in some
local authority, instead Of being a
prerogative of the governors, this
prolonged interregnum would not have
been permitted to exist; and the in
cident serves to illustrate anew the
fact, now generally admitted, that the
appointive power OF the governor OF
this state is entirely too great and
comprehensive and ought to be mate
rally curtailed. Considerable progress
has recently been made in that direc-
ton, but the reform should continue
until the gubernatorial Office is shorn
of its immense political leverage and
confined to its legitimate functions.
Inland Waterway From DOnaldsOnville
to the Gulf.
In The Chief of Dec. II, 1904, men
tion was made Of a bill introduced
into congress by Representative Bur.
CESS. Of Texas, providing for the sur.
vey of an inland waterway from the
Gulf of Mexico to Donaldsonville. Mr..
Burgess bill carries an appropria.
ton of $4,000 and directs the secre.
tary OF war to cause the survey to be
made in four sections, as follows: The
first section will include that portion
of the proposed route between the Rie
Grand river and Arkansas Pass; the
second section is from Arkansas Pass
to the mouth of the Brazos river, and
the cost OF constructing the canal for
light-draught navigation in this por.
tion of the route is also to be shown
the third section extends from the
mouth of the Brazos to Sabine Pass
and the fourth section from Sabine
Lafourche. The bill further requests
that the engineers prepare an estimate
Of the cost of constructing locks al
the head of Bayou Lafourche, and this
feature of the document will prove oil
great interest to the people living
along the banks OF the once beautiful
stream Whichis now rendered unsightly
and useless by the dam at Donaldson
vile. That there is a strong proba-
bility OF the proposed survey being
made at some time in the near future
is indicated by a despatch from Wash
ington to the New Orleans papers,
which announces that the rivers and
harbors bill-in which Mr.. Burgess bill
is embOdied-was reported by Chair
man Burton and will receive the atten-
tion of congress before the adjourn
ment OF that body. The Washington
special adds that Louisiana will be
interested in the provisions for the
survey of an inland water route join
ing the Mississippi river at Donald
sonville with the Rio Grand at
Brownsville, Tex. This is the recon.
mendation of measure originally in
PRODUCED some years ago by Mr.
Broussard. The author introduced it
session after session, but no official ac-
ton was taken on it. At length, several
of the Texas representatives introduced
similar bills, providing for the survey
of such parts Of the route as passed
through their respective districts.
Among those, besides Mr.. Broussard,
who are interested in this survey. are
Representatives Pujo, of Louisiana,
and Cooper, Burgess and Garner, OF
Texas It is to be hoped that favor
able action will be taken on the clause
introduced il the rivers and harbors
bill by Mr.. Burgess, and the outcome
of the vote on the measure will be
awaited with much interest and anx-
iety by the people OF this section.
Fraud Exposed.
A few counterfeiters have lately been making
and trying to- sell limitations of DR.. Kings New
Discovery fer consumption. colds and coughs,
and other medicines, thereby defrauding the
public. This is to warn you to beware of such
people, who seek to profit through stealing the
reputation of remedies which have been sue
cessfully curing disease for over 81 years 4
sure protection to you is our name on the
Il e III A.