The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1906-05-02
A Plain Statement of the Case
Communicated

size or this community. IL Is
known and acknowledged that
for years past the school accOmO-
datiOns have been insufficient
and unsanitary.
The people of the community
through the City Council have
undertaken to meet the situation
by proposing a hundred thOus-
and dollar bond issue based upon
a special ) mill tax, which means
in reality the continuance of the
5 mill municipal improvement
tax.
The proposition in it's present
status represents the crystal
izatiOn of the diversified opinions
and wishes of the community.
The question of the legality of
the tax and the validity of the
bond issue became a question of
the gravest moment. Opinions
of home legal talent differed as
to the proper or best mode of
procedure. They had, staring
them in the face the fact that a
special tax voted some three
years ago for the same purpose
failed of it's purpose on account
of legal objection.
It was known also that the
people of Cheneyville had twice
in succession, after much time,
labor and trouble spent in the
effort, voted a special tax for
school purposes, only to find in
the end all their efforts vain and
futile on account of legal Objec-
ton.
The city of Crowley found it
impossible to dispose of a mnni-
cipal improvement bond Issue,
based upon a special tax which
had been voted for that purpose.
because of some legal objection.
The city of Monroe had re-
Gently gone through a similar
experience.
1t is evident therefore that
the validity and legality of the
tax vote and levy is a question of
the greatest Importance and
carries with it the most serious
consequences.
The committee of the Council
we're struggling with the prelim-
mary steps preparatory to call
ing the special election when Mr..
o. M. Hopkins, Vice-President of
the firm of Fulton & Co., of
Chicago, who held the issue of
water and light bonds, reached
Gown for the purpose of discus
sing their business affairs with
the municipal government.
AS a result of their discus
sions, Fulton & Co submitted a
proposition by which they bound
themselves, provided the pro-
ceedings should be conducted
under the supervision of their
attorney at Chicago, to purchase
the proposed issue of bonds at
par plus any interest that should
accrue from the date of the
bonds until the actual transfer,
also to furnish the Autographed
bonds ready for signature. the
bonds and attorney fees to be
without cost to the town.
After having carefully cOnsid-
cred the proposition and having
called into consultation number
of prominent and progressive
citizens, the Council decided to
accept Fulton & Co.'s offer as
the wisest and safest course they
could pursue, being thereby pro-
tected against the possibility of
ultimate failure.
The action of the Council in
this matter may not meet the
particular views of every citizen,
specially such as may see the
hope of a small brokerage fee out
of the sale of the bonds.
1t is scarcely to be hoped that
any body of public administra-
tors could so conduct public af-
fairs as to meet the fanciful
views of every individual.
Let US rather put aside per-
sonal differences, and personal
interest (the. evil that doth so
easily beset us) and labor earn
estly for the good cause Of per-
manent public improvement and
the betterment Uf our school ia