The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1908-06-27
THE OLD POLICE JURY.

formed is what is required OF
every public officer-nor has he
the right to expect or demand
special mention because he has
fulfilled to the letter the require
ments of Cleveland's great politi-
cal maxim: "a public Office is
public trust" Still the true and
faithful officer should receive his
reward of "well done thou good
and faithful servant"-should re-
ceive it freely and fully from the
people whom he has served 80
we'll. Especially should this ne
done in this era of frequent ofhclal
unfaithfulness, when so many
recognize and practice the other
and pernicious doctrine, the pup
lie Office is only the means TOR
public pelf.
The President and other mem
beers Of the Police Jury OF tne
Parish of st. Mary, whose term OF
Office ended last Tuesday richly
deserve the plaudit OF duty we'll
performed from their constituents.
The record of their official service
is an enduring monument to high
official trust, honesty, wisdom. In
tegrity and faithfulness.
Throughout their whole career
duty seemed to have been their
sole inspiration; and under the
guidance and wise direction of
their efficient president, Mr.. Jas.
A. Peterman, who, under every
contingency, displayed wisdom to
see the right, and courage enough
to enforce the right, they truly
have..succeeded in performing a
service of usefulness and public
benefit, which in this parish has
never been excelled if equalled.
Their predecessors turned over to
them in the summer of 1904 a
bankrupt parish-its treasury was
depleted-its Indebtedness reached
the enormous sum of about thirty
two thousand dollars-its business
affairs thoroughly disorganized
and its credit gone.
Undismayed, President Peter
man and his colleagues faced the
difficulties before them, and
bravely went to work to redeem
the honor and credit of their par
ish. With marvellous swiftness
they succeeded. In less than two
years their heritage of debt was
cancelled by payment-the bust
ness of the parish was placed and
run on a cash basis, and at the
end of the first of the year, after
all obligations had been met, there
was a wholesome balance in the
treasury and all this was done
before the increase of the parish
liquor tax. After the increase OF
the parish liquor tax, wisely con-
cluded that they could erect a
much needed public building
without extra taxation. Being
once convinced of the necessity,
and of their ability to erect it
without an extra burden on their
people, they did not hesitate. but
acted at once; and although met
by bitter opposition, they still
persevered with the conscious
ness of the righteousness of their
action and succeeded. That mag
nificent structure which to-day
towers above our public square in
the strength of its architectural
splendor, is a lasting memorial of
praise to the Police Jury of which
our worthy townsman, Mr.. James
Peterman, was president.
AS much as We appreciate the
work of the members of the old
Police Jury, and regret their re-
turning to private life, we never
theless hail with sincere pleasure
the personnel of the present Po-
lice Jury, which was organized
last Tuesday with our most worthy
and respected citizen, Mr.. Joseph
Brig, as president. Mr.. Brig is
one of the ablest financiers in this
State-his administration ability
is of the highest order-he is dis
Greet, watchful, firm in the per-
Torrance of his duty-in fact he
is the right man in the right place,
and the people of the Parish of
st. Mary are to be congratulated
in having such safe man in con-
troll of their affairs for the next
four years.
The affairs of our parish and
the Police Jury were safe and
prosperous under the guidance Of
Mr.. Peterman, the retiring presi-
dent. They will be equally as
safe and prosperous under the
control of Mr.. Brig, who now pre-
sides over parish matters.
Mr.. Peterman wrought we'll for
the public good and succeeded;
Mr.. Brig will, we know, continue