The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1911-05-27
)RGANIzATIo ADMIN \

+
Charles Maurin, mayor; Henry Schaff, |
ST., chief of police; Alfred Landry, clerk;
Robert E. Dill, tax collector; w. J. Lee
Blanc and Frank MiIano. councilmen, first
ward; A. j. Schroeder and D. Ohlmeyer,
councilmen, second ward; w. D. Park and
e.. C. Wathen, councilmen, third ward.
Jos. N. Gisclard, treasurer, was absent.
RoH-call by the secretary showed full
attendance of members Of the council.
The mayor read the following address:
Gentlemen:-You have just been sworn
in as officers Gf this town, and the oath
you have taken obligates you that the IN
terests of the town be foremost in all Of
your deliberations in this body.
am aware that there are some of you
who opposed me during the last election,
but sincerely hope that you will abide
by the results of the election and forget
that we differed in this matter, and That
we will concentrate our united action to-
ward the further advancement OF our
little town. We have before us much
work to do and unless we work harmoni-
ously together there will be nothing ac-
complished.
am an ardent advocate of a sewerage
system and have just received the esti-
mates of installing this system from the
expert engineer whom | was authorized
| TO employ, and feel that it is our solemn
duty to deliberate together and devise
ways and means toward installing this
| system. The safeguarding of our saith
| is very essential to the upbuilding Of our
| little town. The present system Of drain
| ing all our kitchen refuse and sinks iii our
| open bitches is menace to health and
disgrace to our age.
! Our present public market-house is in
bad need OF repairs and steps should be
/ taken either TO renovate this old historical
building or to destroy it and locate pub
/ lie niarket-house in a more centrally 10
Gated part Of the town:
Opening new drainage canal some
where in the Churchyille annex SO that
our drainage can be perfected.
Construction Of concrete sidewalks
throughout the town, keeping pace with
other toWLs in this matter.
These improvements can be accom-
plished only by unanimous and harmon
ious action, and hope that you will join
me in working these problems out.
! During my incumbency as mayor for
the last six years, have never had to ex-
cerclse my rights Of veto and hope that
no occasion will ever present itself for me
to use it.
on will notice by the report of the out
going finance committee that the condi-
ton of the treasury at present is pretty
fiat and no unnecessary or useless ex-
4 penses should be incurred.
The mayor announced the appointment
of the following committees:
Finance-W. D.Park, chairman; A. j..
4 Schroeder, w. j. Leblanc.
Public works. G. Wathen, chairman;
! D. Ohlmeyer, Frank Milano:
1 Powerhouse-W D. Park and D. OIL
meyer, with the mayor as chairman.
On motion of Mr.. Milano, duly seconded
and carried, Mr.. Schroeder was elected
mayor pro TEN. &
Mr.. Schroeder questioned the authority
i of the mayer to appoint the members Of
the standing committees, stating that he
was under the impression these appoint
.Ements should be made by the council.
The mayor stated that while there was
no provision in the town charter covering
this point, it had been the custom during
i many years past for the mayor to make
i the appointments of the standing COM
4 mittees.
I Mr.. Schroeder stated that although such
custom had prevailed, he thought il best
/ and intended to conform to the provisions
Of the town charter as far as possible, and
4 as it had not been shown that the mayor
i was actually authorized to make these
/ appointments, he moved that the mayors
action be disapproyed and the appoint
ments be not confirmed.
i The mayor stated that he considered he
1 had the right to make the appointments
and would SO rule.
Mr.. Park said he considered the appoint
+. nents to be good ones; that the repre-
sentation of the various wards on the
4 several committees was as fair as could
4 be expected, in his estimation, and he
4 therefore, moved that the action of the
mayor be ratified.
Mr.. Schroeder replied By ssa e that e
]: agreed with Mr.. Park that the appoint,
mants of the mayor we're doubtless good
!: onas. but thatit had not been shown pos
4 lively that the mayor had the right 70
) make such appoint and il the priv nv
fileae was one accrning 20 the council, be
. believed the council should avail itself Of
i said privilege and make its gWn appoint
Enants.= He declared that il was not his
intention to precipitate Wrangle Of Gre
ate discerd; that, on the contrary, ne
earnestly desired harmony and concert Of
! action. and would exert his best effort to-
] ward that end in 50 far as was consistent
with his duty to his Constituents and his
J, ;daas Of Justice and fair dealing. He sug-
aasted that the matter be held il abey.
B snce until it could be definitely ascer-
. f ,.,i whether the mayor or the council
! had the right toname the standing COM
j, nit and offered motion that the
council adjourn to some early date, prior
! - which the opinion Of competent au-
roI ant the OF