The Natchitoches enterprise., 1914-04-02

We wish to call the attention OF
the voters of ward 1 to the eiec-
ton that has been called to take
place next Tuesday, April 9TH,
which will be one that should
stimulate their civic pride and
claim more interest than any cleo
ton that has been held here IN a
long time.
It is one that will set its seal
upon our provincilism and for
that reason should be carried prac-
tically unanimously and while
there may be a dissenting vote
there is little doubt but that there
will be such an overwhelming
majority for it that the dlssenter
will be lost sight of.
The one and only argument that
has held weight for many years.
did, because it appealed to the
chivalry of our voters, a trait that
is seldom lacking in Natchltoches
men when it concerns women, and
this argument was, that a stock
law would be a hardship upon a
number OF poor women, widows
principally who made their living
by selling milk and could not al
ford to keen their COWS up or pay
to have them driven to pasturage
outside of city limits.
Now a State law that is being
rigidly enforced, prohibits the
selling of milk from any but a
registered COW, and an inspection
of the books proves that there
have been no registrations made
except by our one dairyman, and
one or two who keep fine cows for
their own private use. Then a
house to house canvass was made
and it was learned that among the
personal owners of COWS there are
only three women in the lot, all of
whom are we'll able to keep their
COWS up or have them driven to
pasturage. Thus ends the chival-
orous necessity of opp sing the
stock law any longer.
A we'll trailed rumor is being
circulated that our dairYman, Mr..
Bird, is planning to raise his price
on milk and butter if the stock
law carries, that Mr.. Bird as
sures us. he has no intention OF
doing, which assurance is proven
before hand by the fact that he
has had the field practically tc
himself for the past four years,
and his prices have never varied
and the law will not effect his
custom by any very great increase
and if it does, as stated above, he
will give every body the same
faithful and efficient service at the
same rates that he does now and
has since he has been a dairyman.
One really amusing little feature
is the venemous manner in which
one or two, full to overfowins
with civic pride, are talking about
how they are gong to vote against
the stock law, tho they think it q
good measure, because of the
foolish dog ordinance which the
city commissioners saw fit to pass
without rhyme or reason.
The only good complaint against
the election comes from reason
able source, as 1t comes from q
number of some of the biggest
taxpayers in the town who are
among the most progressive citi.
zens imbued with the NEST civic
pride, but cannot vote because OF
their sex, and who appreciate the
fact that if a dissenting vote be
cast, it will be by voters who own
very little if any property AND
pay none if any taxes.
But we sincerely believe that
even those voters have come tc
realize that now is the accepted
time for a stock law and they will
20 to the polls on next Tuesday
and help to pass measure thai
will stamp Natchitoches at last as
4 city, with a progressive, broad
:ivlc minded citizenship, which in
,pite of its paved streets, beauti
ful up-to-date buildings. electric
lights, water works and many
other insignia of rank, never car
be city as long as there is nc
stock law.