New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1913-06-21
INDUCTION OF COMMISSION
FORM OF GOVERNMENT.


vance and aligning itself with the
more progressive communities,
New Iberia passed last Monday
from the old Councilmanic TO the
new Commission Form of Govern
mcnt. Promptly at 3 30, the re
firing Board was convened by
Mayor Power and all unfinished
business was finally disposed OF
so as 70 permit the newly elected
Commissioners TO take charge OF
the CitN's affairs with free reigu.
untrameled by pending legisla-
ton. At the conclusion of the
session. Mayor Power, III dlgni-
fled and well timed valadictory,
thanked the citizens for past hon
ors conferred and recounted the
accomplishments Of the outgoing
administration. In his own be
h.'f and on behalf Of his con
freres, he now greeted their sue.
cessors and pledged TO them their
support and assistance in every
movement for the future advance
of the community. He then in
troduced the Commissioners,
Messrs. Fontelieu, Snberbielle
and VilIcrmin who had previous
" taken The oath and were ready
to assume their Offices.
In taking the chair. the new
MAYOR was loudly cheered and
cries Of speech elected the
declaration Of Mr. Fontelieu that
he was no orator and had never
made a speech Forthwith how
ever he proceeded to deliver a
forcelul and eloquent address
which soon convinced his audienc"
that mode'ty alone was lespon4l
bic that New Iberia was not
possessed Of another orator.
Apoloeizing to his late opponents
for any harshness which might
have crept in during the heat OF
campaign and stating positively
that promises of reward had been
made TO none; Mr.. Fontelieu de
clared that he assumed the posi-
ton of chief executive of New
Iberia with but the thought OF
serving the entire people and nl
promoting the interest Of the
whole community Taking his
platform as a theme, he reiterated
its every plank For the estab-
lishment of a sewerage system,
the paving Of Main street and the
Smelling of all others, he pledged
his every effort For the prOtec
ton of the business interest, he
promised to strictly enforce the
collection Of the license tax i'm
posed by law upon all callipgs
and especially TO see that itene
rant peddlers were not exempted
from this obligation. But more
particularly did he lay stress on
the rigid enforcement of existing
laws pertaining to the moral wei
fare of all, and the early enact
ment of others which would cause
the exclusion of minors from sa
looms, pool rooms and gambling
houses. and the segregation of
LEVIED women in the restricted dis
trict. Addressing himself di-
reetly to the aspiring candidates
for positions on the Police force,
he gave warning that their tenure
of office would largely depend on
the strict enforcement OF these
laws. He would be as lenient as
possible and overlook many short
comings. but he would not tote.
rate the Sinking Of duty by any
employee of the City.
In concluding he requested the
aid and cooperation of all, prom
ising that while he would. at AL
fines, give prompt attention to
all complaints made to him, he
would ignore the criticisms in
dulged by the street carpers. He
sought TO serve his home town
and hoped TO do il to the satisfac-
ton of all, should he fail, he
would promptly tender his resig
nation or invite the people to ex-
ercise their right to recall.
Mr. Fontelieu s speech was well
received by all present who de
tected in it the ring of sincerit,
and fell that the affairs of the
City had been entrusted to safe
hands Due 10 the lateness of the
hour, no business was transacted
by the Commissioners who sd-
journed to Tuesday afternoon.