St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-04-20
cumstances that has defeated the
evident good intentions of the
Council.

| AAs GNASOlS all AOb Vi lG4SiSAuSS
for | do rot know. | am seeking
information. To those who, like
myself, have pointed proudly to
the sehool-building under way as
an evidence of the awakening OF
the spirit of progress and an index
of future achievement, the uncom-
pleted structure stands there now
a sad monument to the unreliabllitY
of the the town of Covington; an
eYesore and an object of shame TO
everv hore est man and woman IN
the town, and an object lesson to
those future generations for whom
it was intended.
This peroration is a fanciful de-
fusion, based on imaginary degrees
of degradation, that would give the
horrors to posteritY and subdue the
selfrespect of the present genera
ton, If it was not nightmare.
1t is the province of a modern
newspaper to be what It's name
suggests, and to ascertain these
facts, to discover who, for instance,
is responsible for this fasco, and
then to publish the facts without
partlalitY or prejudice. In your
report of the proceedings of that
special meeting of the Council you
merely state that the question was
thoroughly discussed. Why did
you not go further and give TO the
absentees from that meeting at
least a resume of the discussion :?
If the whole matter was simply an
inadvertence, then no blame is in
it. But if 1t was some sort of de-
liberate oversight or the result of
incompetence of any sort, then the
facts should be blazed forth In
large type for avoidance in the fu
ture.
1t is within the 'Eprovince of a
modern newspaper" to do almost
anything, from building a steam
ship to sending invaIlds to water
cures and sanitarlums. 1t is also
within its province to use its judg
| ment as to what ls proper matter
to 90 into its columns. The meet
ing was not reported because there
was nothing to report; and but
| for the letter of "Citizen' IN the
News, and the gathering together
of those forces chiefly delighted
when they can find something dis
couraglng in the Council, the mat
ter might have been quietly adj
lasted at home, instead of thus
being circulated broadcast. Not
that any wrong has been commit
ted, but rumors always falslfy and
gather undesirable and unreliable
relnforcements. As it is, we will
state that an informal talk was had
Mr.. CARRIER was advised if be could
dispose of certificates of indebted
ness at discount of not more than
10 per cent, and would report to
the Council, they would try to
help him out. The only matter OF
record was a resolution TO spread
upon the minutes the proceedings
of a previous meeting, and Mr..
Roehl can see that resolution any
time he wishes. 1t Is of no effect
in the present situation.
am not the only one interested
in this matter. 1t Is the talk of
the streets and. no one seems to
KNOW; but all are questioning
The public-those who pay the
taxes-are entitled TO be taken into
the full confidence of the officials,
| or whoever is managing this thing.
1t Is the privilege and undoubted
right of the people to know Why
their prohity has been subjected to
the scorn, the rldlcule of outsiders.
Mr.. Editor, l do not yield to any
man my jealous faith in the accom-,
plisbment OF the vision of bigger
| things for this town, and | view
/ with contempt the pltlable creature
| who would ''knock' because
merely Of personal antagonlsm to.
ward the men who handle things.
l believe in justice and would
at any time relinqulsh any personal
dislike / might have when the OBJ
| iect of it strives honestly and open,
ly for the benefit of his fellow men,
But for the same reason | believe
that incompetence and inability and
carelessness and indifference to.
ward public enterprises should b'
fayed numerically. Now, de
not say, l do not hint, l have NJ
idea that The latter holds IN thu
case. But I ask for information.
FREDERICK ROEHL.
The trouble with Mr.. Roehl Ii
that be has blinded himself IN tn
belief that he Is impartially seek
ing information, and yet couche
his questions in such language a