St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1909-09-18
The Chataignier barbecue.
September Il. 1909


Editor Of the Banner.I read with
some surprise your comments on The
barbecue given at Chataignier on the
18th Of August.
Mr.. Veazie III his finished and forci
bic address certainly struck somebody
at Vile Platte, as judged from the
cry which goes up from che Banner.
The people Of the parish of EYange-
line as a whole, have no newspaper
to voice their interest, while that
small portion Of the people who
happen to be interested in the we'll
being Of Vile Platte have a very able,
but not impartial organ in the person
Of the Banner.
Under these circumstances would
it not be just TO the great body Of
the people Of Eyangeline to state
fairly and truthfully the exact CON
tention Of Mr.. Veazie on the question
of the economy to be gained by plac-
ing the courthouse as nearly in the
center of the parish as practicable
and especially, what could be saved
by the parish in witness mileage By
establishing the seat Of Justice at
Mamou. The speaker is a native Of
the parish and a taxpayer within the
new parish and his right to speak,
like that Of every other citizen, is
disputed nowhere except IN Vile
Platte and this right would not be
disputed there it be advocated the
claims of that village for the County
seat.
For the purpose of argument only
Mr.. Veazie took as basis these facts:
That it was ten miles from MAM0U
to Eunice and twelve miles from
MAM0U to Vile Platte that ten Wit
nesses, five to each side, were an
average attendance III litigated crimi
nal cases; that the mileage due by
law to each witness is ten cents per
mile. one way. he placed the pro-
posed courthouse in the town Of Eu-
nice and deduced the argument: A
case arising in Vile Platte or near
by would pay q witness mileage on
about "a miles going to Eunice; this
would amount to $3.50 per witness,
$22 for ten witnesses and $4,000
for 1000 cases.
The same case tried in MAMDTT
would entail a witness mileage of Il
miles, S1.20 for each witness, II dol
lars for 10 witnesses and $4,000 for
1000 cases. This being q clear saw
ing of ten thousand dollars in favor
of MAM0U as against Eunice. He
next placed the courthouse at Vile
Platte. On cases originating in che
neighborhood of Eunice, the witness
attending court at Vile Platte would
likewise be entitled to % miles, 1920
for each witness, $22 for ten and
$4,000 for 1000 cases. In the same
case tried at MAMOU the witnesses
would be entitled TO a mileage of 10
miles, ST per witness, $40 for ten
witnesses and $4,000 for 1000 cases.
This shows a saving of twelve thou
sand dollars in favor of MAM0U and
against Vile Platte.
The speaker was clear that MAM0U
had set up the claim that she was the
nearest Candidate to the Center Of
the Parish: this claim amounted TO.
nothing and should be abandoned,
unless it could be shown that q CEN
tral location had the merit Of saving
money to the people.
The speaker showed conclusivelY
and to the satisfaction Of any reason
able man, that trials at MAM0U
could be had at nearly one half the
cost which would be incurred at any
other place which was now asking
for the county seat, and this was
done by a fair and just consideration
of the MILEAGE question only.
Bear in mind that the mileage of
jurors, which was not discussed. will
show still further economy il the
Court be placed at the only central
point now asking for the honor.
I have no hesitation in saying that
when the voters have heard all what
can be said on the question, they will
come To the conclusion, that as a
matter Of sentiment. q new parish
should have a new town for its
county seat and that ais d matter Of
fact the taxpayers will save money
for all time to come By not being
compelled TO travel to either extrem-
ity of the parish TO attend court as
witnesses and Jurors and that by their
votes, they will place the courthouse
at MAM0U, as near to the center Of
the parish as it can be placed.
EVANGELNE.
COmmeRds Board of Equaliza-
ton.
- -. ~ E4K