The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1906-07-28
Public improvements.

factions advocated an extreme
policy of progress and public I'M
embracing concrete
walks, street paving, Sanitary
and a general beautify-
ing of the city The other faction
~ onounced itself for a policy OF
The taxpayers
and qualified votes, in members
amounting to majority OF the
vote cast, at one of the closest
contested primary elections in the
history of this city, chose the con-
servatives as their candidates for
election TO positions as admins
traitors of public affairs
The present City Council was
elected Oh this conservative tick
ct.
The present council. it may be
safely stated, is opposed to any
thing like precepitate haste in the
expenditure Of public moneys for
cOnveiences and adOrnments while
there are Obligations against the
city for privileged claims; neither
are they disposed to plunge the
general property holder into
greater tax burdens, simply De
cause the present city charter
authorizes them to do so. One OF
the planks Of the platform upon
which they were elected reads AS
follows:
Inasmuch as the present charter
of the city Of New Iberia grants
to the Mayor and Board of Trns-
tees of this city Unlimited powers
of taxation, for public improv
ments and of mortgaglng the
peoples property to secure the
payment Of the tax 80 imposed,
and holding dear the doctrine,
that taxation only should be i'm
posed with the consent of those
taxed:
I'VE, therefore, oppose the
imposition of taxes and of mort
gage Especially of small homes,
for the purpose of public improv-
ments without first submitting
the question Of the tax to those
who must pay the expense OF the
improvements"
1t may also he safely stated
that the city fathers individually
would take as much pride as any
other citizen in seeing this town
have paved streets, sewerage
parks, pleasure resorts, cts. They
recognize fully that these things
are desirable and would be 4
blessing to the people. Bul
their judgements are not dazzled
by the sparkle Of the gem-Som'
one would have to pay the bills
and the small tax payer is
large element of that "sOmeone'
Conservatism not only govern
the act, but when to act. 1t als'
counts the cost and how AM
when it shall be paid. TO do
desirable thing prematurel.
g might be freighted with conse
&c quences of graver import thai
not doing the thing at all. II
- illustrate:
8 Paved streets are desirable-n,
question about that. They ar
not only expensive in first cost
= but, if properly kept, are expen
: sive to maintain. A street sweep
" er and garbage carts are NOR
" expensive than street sprinklers
q Between a dusty paved stree
and dnsty shell road it is Onl
question Of swapping name
for the rose
Il A paved street grows no croT
manufactures no product and pre-
vides neither wages nor OppOrtunl
ty for the bread winner.
Il 1t Is a convenience, facility
4 an ornament, a feature of clvi
;, pride.
When should paving he done
Shall it be done, precepitatcl.
because someone says, "now'i
The last city administration
had before it constantly a prop
!. sition for a trolley line, the pro
motors finally fOrfeiting tbei
franchise to the regret of ever,
= one.
The present administration la
buried one trolley scheme an
!, now holds forfeit money on a sec
|. ond.
. Our citizens hope for result