The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1906-08-22
MONROE AND MUNICIPAL
OWNERSHIP.

OWNERSHIP.
Monroe is the first and only
city in America to attempt NUM-
cipal ownership of its street rail
ways. Chicago has twice voted
for it, but owing to difficulties OF
various kinds the wishes of the
people have not as yet been real
lied, and so Monroe has become
the pioneer. The experiment is
being watched with great inter
est throughout the country and
is causing much comment. The
following by the Mobile Register
will, we believe, prove interesting
reading:
SIT is deadly dull in the most of
these little towns. The people have
no means of entertainment outside the
family circle. The hotel is the only
club and the post Office the general
place of meeting. The churches afford
a break in the monotony, but they are
open on Sunday only.
The young mayor of Monroe has
revolutionized Monroe. He has made
it a place better to live in. The PEG.
pie there are afforded entertainment
by means of municipality-Owned
places of amusement. He has done
more than this, however. He has
caused to be erected several munich.
pal buildings: has acquired for the
city the waterworks and the electric
plant, formerly owned by private
capital, and has reconstructed them.
The people get their light at the same
rate. as before, but the profit goes
into the city treasury and helps the
city to improve further. The last
utility undertaken is an electric rail-
way, 8 and one-half miles in length,
connecting. with the public park of
40 acres. The railway is in opera
ton, but will not be completed until
September 20. 1t promises 20 pay.
if We judge by the receipts already
had.
"a great deal of money has been
expended, but it is home, money, and
the city has increased in size very
rapidly, SO that tax assessments,
which were ST., 700, 900 in 1898, are now
So, 100, 900.
"The public theatre is on an island
in "a beautiful lake in the park. 1t
is equipped with every modern con-
venience. Nearby are the fair
grounds, with the half-mile race track.
In the same park are the ball grounds.
"These improvements were not
made without overcoming a very de-
termined opposition: but the young
mayor was more determined, and
kept at it, devising ways and means,
and finally rallying around himself
such support that he carried his plans
through. He has now the cordial CO.
operation of all the leading men. 1t
is not worthy that against the water
works and electric lightning PROPOSE
ton which be presented to the people
there were only eight votes cast, and
this, too, when it was we'll known that
the electric plant would have to be
improved at a cost equal to the amount
of money paid for it. namely, $50, 900.
Some of the other sums paid can be
mentioned: For the public school,
$85. 600: for the park and buildings,
$4O, 900: for the street railway, $11O, 900.
There were expended, besides, $40, 600
for street paving, and $50, 900 for sew
ers and mains. Themayor now has in
mind the making of interurban cleo
trio roads, centering in Monroe, with
the view of building up the trade of
that city.
''This young Napoleon of municipal
ownership may go too far and outrun
the resources of his community, but
at this time he appears to have affairs
we'll in hand, and to be able to take
care of all the obligations that have
been issued. The further history of
Monroe will be observed with great
interest"
Stolen.