St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1909-03-06

Mr. Roos suggested that tht
Mayor amend his motion to combine
the two Offices SO as to read that The
change should become effective in
June, to which Mr.. Lewis protested
saying that he would not vote On the
question now, because it had been
previously disposed of and was q
matter for the future, and that the
board had other important business
to transact.
his Honor finally amended his mo-
tion to read that the Offices of MAYOR
and street commissioner be combined,
and that same become effective ii
June.
The motion received no second.
I will vote on it at the proper time, .
said Alderman Lewis, and vote in
the interest of the city, too. To take
up question four months in advance,
however, is too long"
Another motion by the mayor. was
to the effect that hereafter all taxes,
licenses and waterworks and lights
bills be paid at the town Office instead
of the officers taking the receipts to
the customers and receiving the
money. Z offer it as a basis of sys-
tem,' = said His Honor, educate the
people to come to the proper place.
A motion to table, for the reason
that there exists an ordinance to this
effect, prevailed.
The mayor complained that the
resolution requiring officers of the
city who make purchases to first con-
suit the purchasing committee, and
after the purchase to send to him
(the mayor duplicate slips Of said
purchases, was not being obeyed, ex-
cept by one officer, Street Commits
sioner Durio.
What scope does this resolution
what limit is an officer confined
10, asked an alderman.
''The purchase Of q dozen globes, .
saeiously remarked Mr.. Lewis.
The council took the view that as
here was an ordinance, or resolution,
covering this matter, it was up to the /
mayor to enforce it. It was not in
he province of the council to enforce
t.
4 committee was appointed to emil
10y competent engineer, who shall
with the superintendent IN
making an estimate of the cost of
epairs Of the power plant.
Mayor Halphen made a talk on sys-
EN-, advocating a thorough and com
lrehensive system of bookkeeping for
he city, which includes the auditing
+ the books and the inauguration Of
system.
Mr.. Emile Bienyenu, representing
Tart & Bienvenu, expert accountants
t New Orleans, who had been sent
Or by the mayor, appeared before
he committee and explained what /:
las meant By a municipal system, and
ow every CITY the size of 0pelousas
tas adopting the expert system.
He was followed by Mr.. A. J.
taschen, formerly ef Grand Coteau,
$50 an expert accountant, who
poke on the same lines.
Messrs. Roos, Healey and Dietlein
ere appointed a.ccmmittee to look
ito the advisability of employing
lch an expert, and to report at next
Getting.
1t was then II o'clock, and alder
en baked on proceeding later into
lie night. There was considerable
lsiness yet to transact, including
.veral ordinances.
One Of the ordinances is the child
Mayor Halphen. It proposes to
mend the stock law, making the :
le one dollar instead of three, pro-
ding for a pound keeper instead Of
le police officers of the city, and ex-
nding the limits to include the en- :
re corporation.
A petition, containing many names !
It mostly those Of children. was
,esented to the council, asking that :
.ating on the sidewalks be permit !
d. Mayor Halphen suggested that
o petition be laid over until a fu- !
re meeting, in order TO give those :
lposing such action time to make
loWn their opposition. It is plain
at this ordinance will never pass.