The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1908-08-18
COMMUNICATION.
Lafa yette, La, Aug. Is, 1908.

Lafayette, La, Aug. Is, 1908.
Mr.. Editor:
On August s, fourteen days ago, the
appointed by the City
Council at one of its previous ses-
ions to report, where IN its opinion,
cement sidewalks should be construc-
ted, made its report, and the Coun-
Gil, adopting by majority vote the
report of that committee,
Notwithstanding a minority report
presented by me as a member of that
committee, passed an ordinance
which was published under the sig-
natures of the Mayor and the Secre-
tary of the Council in the issue of The
Lafayette Democrat, the official jour-
nal, of August Is.
But neither the report of the ma
jority nor that of the minority of that
committee, although filed with the
Secretary, were published; and al
though this can and will be corrected
on motion to be made at the next
regular session of the Council, l have
come to the conclusion, that in view
of the Importance of the question to
the property owners, the report filed
by me objecting to the construction
of 50 much sidewalks with my reasons
therefor, should be made public now.
1 here reproduce it as follows:
Lafayette, La, Aug. 6, 1908.
To the Hon. the Mayor and Members
of the Council of the City of Lafa-
yette.
Gentlemen:-Having been informed
by the majority of the committee ap-
pointed to report to this body what
length of cement walks should be con-
tractd for, that they would RECON-
mend at least seven miles, and being
unable to agree to that report, beg
leave to give my reasons therefor and
make this minority report.
There is at present approximately
three and one-quarter miles of plank
walk in this city, larger portion of
which is in very bad condition. These
plank walks having been constructed
on the authority of this council and
its predecessors, take it as proof
that it was constructed in streets where
the public necessity demanded. This
being the fact favor the construction
of cement walks to replace the plank
walks, especially where they are in
bad condition.
The cost of constructing the cement
walk per mile, including the work OF
the Civil Engineer, drain pipes, etc.,
would be approximately five thous-
and dollars. OF course this has to be
paid for by the owners of the property
abutting on the proposed improvement
by way of q special assessment or tax
alton; and to construct the three miles
and one quarter proposed in this re.
port would require the levy Of tax
on the property owners of sixteen
thousand two hundred and fifty dol.
lars; whereas, to construct sever
miles of cement walk would require
the levy Of tax on the property
owners of thirty-tive thousand dollars
Under the law, as l am advised, thu
property abutting on the improve
ment is responsible therefor and ma,
be sold at public auction in satisfac
ton thereof il the tax levied or th'
certificates issued therefor are no
paid.
In view of the stringency OF tn
money market and the bad prospects
OF the present crop on account OF tn
late disastrous rain storm and tn
boil weevils in this parish, / am o
the opinion that cement walks shoul'
be constructed only as herein sug
gested; and further improvements il
that respect postponed.
OF course I favor the constructor
lof cement walks in all cases when tn
property owners demand it: but ca
not consent under the prevailing cor
dition to do so to the extent propose
lby the majority OF this committe
without regard to the consent OF th
property owners who have to pay fo
lit.
Respectfully submitted,
Il Signed"
A.. E. MOUTON.
It goes without saying that whe
the ordinance adopted by the mi
jority carrying out the idea oppose
was presented for adoption, that
voted against it; and / make this la
statement also because that fact do