The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1907-03-30
Donaldsonville's Reception of the Wis.
Ting Congressman.


The visit of members of the rivers
and harbors committee of the national
house of representatives to Donald
sonviIle last Tuesday evening, accom-
panied by several other congressman
and q number of gentlemen promi-
nently connected with waterways Inn
provement, was an event that will not
soon be forgotten by either the guests
or hosts OF the occasion. The recep-
ton and banquet we're exceptionally
successful and delightful affairs, and
it may be confidently assumed that the
touring congressman will not be enter
tanned more royalty or with greater
cordiality anywhere on their present
trip than they were here. That the
visitors were pleased with the character
of the welcome accorded them was
amply attested by the expressions OF
cordial appreciation given utterance
by the speakers at the banquet and in
private conversation by all the re-
naming members OF the party; and it
is a source of the utmost satisfaction
and pride 20 our people to have the
consciousness that these acknowledge
ments and words Of praise were not
mere formalities extorted by the usages
of polite society, but the hearty and
genuine tributes of worthy guests and
strangers within our gates to whom
an open. handed greeting and OPEN
hearted hospitality we're freely ex-
tended.
While q generous need of praise is
due to all who took part in the recep-
ton and entertainment OF the commu-
nity's guests, none viii gainsay the
justice OF according the lions share
to Hon. r. N. Sims. AS prime mover
in and most active promoter OF the
preparations for giving the visitors a
welcome in keeping with their promi-
hence and the Importance of their mis-
sion, Mr.. Sims was untiring and
jealous to the utmost degree. and
| never have his well-known ability and
tact in such matters been exerted to
better purpose or with greater success.
His onerous duties as chairman of the
general arrangement committee and
POSTMASTER at the banquet were dis
| charged in a manner that could not
have been excelled, and he showed
himself to be emphatically the right
man in the right place in both capac-
tiles.
More than ordinary credit is also
| due Mesd ames F. B. Lemann and r..
N. Sims for the efficient and tasteful
manner in which they performed the
work OF the decoration committee, to
whom was intrusted the task of beau
tifying the rooms of the Donaldson
Vile Social Club, in which the formal
reception was held, and the dining
hall of the Nichols Hotel, where the
banquet was served. Too much cam
not be said in commentator of the
exquisite loveliness and appropriate
ness Of the decor ations.
A special word of praise is also due
to Fred. Royce, proprietor Of the
Nichols, for the admirable character
OF the banquet, which was fifty de-
scribed by guest as one OF the most
tempting and best served it had ever
been his good fortune to partake Of.
The selection of the menu was in most
excellent taste, while the preparation
and service would have done honor to
any chef de cuisine and maitre de hotel
in Creole Louisiana-and that's say
ing the best that can be said.
Apart from the brilliant social suc-
| cess achieved in the reception and en-
tertainment of our distinguished visit
ors, 1t is believed that more material
benefits will accrue, as all the con-
gressmen who spoke in response to
toasts at the banquet not only prom
ised to exert their influence towards
procuring appropriations for the in
tercoastsl canal and having Donald
oO1NA44C uOSIS Ae1VCN 90 oLO OoSV0AA
terminus OF that Important proposed
waterway, but also declared that the
dam which closes Bayou Lafourche at
the point of its connection with the
Mississippi river ought by all means
to be removed. Whether the inn
paired levees should be rebuilt or
locks be constructed was considered
by all the visitors subsidiary ques-
ton, but the demolition Of the dam
and the restoration .of Bayou La
fourche to its former status as nav.
igable eff1uent of the Mississippi was
regarded as a proposition from which
there could be no reasonable or iusti-
fable dissent. To have thus impressed
| these influential members of the ma
tional congress, and above all, to
have ELECTED from them such as
surances of friendly aid to projects of
vital interest to the community, would
have been rich reward for ten times
the expenditure of effort and funds
entailed by DonaldsonVille's royal
reception OF the honored guests who
abided with her all too short while
last Tuesday evening.
Conviction of Bradford and Wright
Affirmed.
In the United States court OF appeals