The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1912-07-19
A Brief Sketch of the Life and work
ofP.I Chappuis-Whose An
nouncement For Congress, Ap'
pears in This Issue OF the
JOURNAL.

uEdtS III IIeo sSSoS W wv
JOURNAL.
10 the qualification OF his many
friends and the substantial business
interests of this section, Hon. Pblllp
Julius Chuppius has consented W oe'
come d candidate for Congress from
the Seventh Congressional DISTRICT 70
succeed Hon. A. p. Pujo who has an
nounced his intention of retiring. Mr..
cbappuis is a native son Of Louisiana
Here he was born, reared, educated,
and here he has always lived, identity
ing himself thoroughly with his own
people, enjoying their confidence ana
acouainting himself with their needs
He was born ut Thibodaux on Sept
26, 1865, and graduated from Thibo'
daux College in July, 1883. In 1860
he took up the study OF law under hon
L p. Caillouet, now Judge or the
Circuit Court of Appeals. and candi-
date for the Supreme Bench. In July,
1887, he was admitted tothe bar by the
Supreme Court, and shortly thereafter
enter upon the practice of law at Kavne
He remained there Until November.
1889, when he moved to Crowley and
became associated with the late E. l..
Wells, under the name OF Wells d
Chappuis. This partnership was dis.
solved in May, 1890, and Mr.. Chappius
continued the practice alone until
October, 1902, when he formed o part
nership with Mr.. A. =. Holt, under
the firm name of Chappuis & Holt.
This firm is in existence to this day.
Though no politician, nor Office
seeker, Mr.. Chappuis has always
taken an active interest in civic mat
tiers, and as Mayor of Crowley. the
only Office ever held by him, from 1894
to 1898 and from 1902 to 1906, he dis.
charged the many duties OF this high
office creditably to himself and to the
satisfaction of the public, taking
charge of the city when it affairs were
in demorallzed condition paying its
debts, restoring its credit, and placing
it on u sound financial and business
basis. In the administration of this
Office Mr.. Chappuis applied the same
standards of honesty and economy
that have made him successful in his pri
vate affairs, thus furnishing model
worthy of emulation bv all public
officials. He proved himself an ex.
ceptionally good financier and admin
istrator, and great debt payer. He
brought up the municipal credit from
the lowest ebb to point where the
city could get into the open market and
buy as readily and cheaply as the
most favored customer. His four ad-
ministrations were marked by spirit
of activity and progressiveness, The
Waterworks and Electric Light plant
was designed during this term was the
signing Of the contract for the con-
struction Of the plant, which was com.
menced and complete during the sue
ceeding administration,
All persons aud interests had re-
ceived justice and equal treatment at
Mr.. Chappuis,s hands. and there was
o general demand for him to remain
in office, which he declined for business
reasons. The call having been renewed
he was elevated to the same Office in
1902 and 1904. 1t was during the last
half of Mr.. Chappuis' official career
that the growth of the city had made
the extension of the water and light
plant so imperative, that practically
new plant was constructed, and the
water and light service extended to
almost every nook and corner of the
CITY. During all of this time he main
tanned the same ideals, and continued
the same methods, which had made the
first part of his official career so sue
cessful, and had enshrined him in the
confidence of his people.
During Mr.. Chappuis long and
varied practice as lawyer, he has
been engaged in some of the largest
and most important litigation in the
State, and yet he has held the scales
OF justice and morality so high that
none wonld criticise his demeanor to.
wards the Court, his opponent, his
client. or the public.
Always public spirited, he has iden.
tilted himself with every great move
ment for the industrial development
of Southwest Louisiana. Here he has
labored and toiled, here he has ac.
quired what he has, and all his N ater.
lal interests are so intimately inter.
ests OF this entire district, that