The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1913-06-28
NUMBER At
LEMANN LOOKS AHEAD.
Progressive Young Mayor Sees OPP
portunItIes on Every Hand for
Making DonaIdsonviIIe a "city
Beautiful Where People will
Yearn RI i've

Deaosffui' Where Feople Wtit
Yearn to Live.
Following is the full text of the
eloquent inaugural address delivered
by MayoA Walter Lemann at the ex-
ereises marking the Induction into
office of the new city commissioners:
Fellow Citizens:
History repeats itself. One hum
dred years ago this city was first
placed the government of the COM
munity in the hands of five trustees.
Today we inaugurate a system of
government which, somewhat SINH
lar to the one established in 1913,
provides for three commissioners.
The selection of June IA for this
Inauguration was a most happy one.
One hundred and thirty-six years
ago, the stars and stripes were
adopted by the federal congress as
the nations emblem III celebrating &
today the installation of the COM
mission form of government for our
city, we at the same time do honor
to the birth of the nations flag On
day such as this, when the hearts
Of all loyal American citizens are
attuned to lofty thoughts and high
Ideals. it is proper the commission
form of government should go into
effect. Such form requires for its
success the display Of patriotism on
the part of every member OF the
community It affords to each citi-
zen the opportunity of participating
more than ever inS1he solving of the
city's problems. Those governed ara
brought closer in >touch with those
governing, even as those who govern
are brought nearer to those gov
erned.
Thanks to the industry of the ad-
ministration which today surrenders
it's stewardship, our city has made
substantial progress. We have wit
messed the paving of the principal
thoroughfares, the laying Of side
walks, the extension of the water
works system, the enlarging of the
city's boundaries, the establishment
of d modern and handsome high
school But recently visited by dis
astrous fire, the city has Phoenix
like arisen in a new garb. Substan-
tial buildings have replaced those
which had more than served their
time With a splendid hotel OF which
any city many times the size of this
building, an attractive and eommo-
dious Elks Home, we have much to
make for the comfort of the strang
er in our midst and to add to the
beauty and effectiveness OF our sur
roundings.
IS Alive to the Importance of having
paved streets, realizing the neces-
.sity Of modern WaterWorks system,
the retiring administration has gone
forward and given much to the city. /
For this they are deserving of the
highest praise. The new light and
water plant just completed is of the
latest design, and will contribute
greatly toward reducing the cost OF
light and water to the city and Its
Inhabitants.
The present administration, then,
goes into office with. many substan-
tia1 Improvements made In the cityss
utilities. The fou3dation and ground.
work have been laid. 1t behooyes
us to maintain the high standard
which has been attained.
The past administration is to be
complimentcd upon the progress 1t
has made, especially when we pause
to consider that it has not had dur
ing its tenure of office that cooper.
alton on the part Of those governed
which is SO essential to the success
full administration of the city's af-
fairs by those in authority. No gov
ernment can accomplish much with
out the hearty and constant cooper
alton of the citizens composing Il
No work of any magnitude can be
successfully prosecuted unless all in-
terested in the work join hands to
a common end, and no community
can hope to be prosperous unless its
people are loyal to it.
With the financial condition of
the city such as it is. it will res
quire strict economy on the part OF
the commissioners to meet the OBJ
| legations which have been incurred in
maintaining the city's government in
the past and in establishing the new
| and improved systems of light and
water. With the cooperation and
tUydIs SupD0IL VI 4ciAi@ t5osd St1lEE1it2,
which we earnestly bespeak. we feel
that not only will this be accom-
plished with the revenues at our dis
posa1, but we will be able gradually
! to secure more improvements and
| thus better conditions generally. In
order that the financial condition of
! ! the Il Iee und nderstaod by all il is
important that a complete account.
/ ing system be installed. To this end,
/ I recommend the employment of an
accountant to install system which
will meet the city's needs and re
i auirements indeed, the act under
which we operate requires that al
/ the end Of each year the council
i shall cause full and complete ex
animation of all tha books and &C
/ counts of the city 80 be made BY
i legally certified public accountants
/ and shall publish the same In tf'
4 official journal OF the city. Tha
i these accounts for the first year 0
| this administration may be IN shap
4 for such an examination, it Is essen