New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1915-05-01
COMMISSION GOVERNMENT
FOR IBERIA PARISH.

Some activity has lately de
yeloped AMONGST those OF our clt
Mens who favor change iron
the Police jury to the Commls
sion Form OF Parish Government
and petitions are being plepal ed
and circulated TO secure the sig
natures of at least fifteen per cent.
of the qualified voters that the
matter may be submitted to the
. voters to ascertain their wishes
on this all Important question.
A. Wa have stated on previous
occasions, The Enterprise views
the proposed change with favor,
and with due Difference to our
friend. Representative IL A. Mo-
resi-. who iSSUes circular IN OPP
position, we can see naught but
good results to follow such a
transition.
The Police Jury as constituted
to-day. be it composed OF men
evar so capable and willing, Is
unable to accomplish results
which revenues equal to those OF
the Parish would yield to any
private enterprise, for the good
and sufficient reason that the IN
dividnal interest of its members
precludes the public service which
economy demands. Paid EN-
ployees. however. would be ex-
pected to give such service and
failure so to do would render the
delinquent amendable to his en-
ployers (the people, who could,
at any time by petition of thirty
PER cent Of the voters. lie forced
to face the charges and defend
his actions to retain office.
Chief amongst the objections
raised is that the salaries would
bankrupt the Parish. Let us con
slider this feature: Under the
present system. each Juror is
paid per diem Of $500 with ten
cents for mlage, whether acting
as a Juror or as a member of the
Board Of Reviewers, using the
figures of 1914. we find that this
amounted to 81 $50 %; during the
came period the Secretary re-
eeived $l200.0O and the Assessor
$T,65S.11
Under the proposed system, the
Commissioned Of Public Affairs
Assessor, would receice SooO0OO,
the Commissioner of Finance
$1SO0.0O and the Commissioner Of
Public improvement 100000, a
total of $6,300.00; but, Section I
&c Act 100 OF 1914 provides that
all compensation now received by
the Assessor from the State, Levee
Boards, cities, towns. drainage
boards and other taxing bodies
shall be paid to the Commission
IL be used in par. payment OF the
ssiuries provided for the Commits
siorers. The tax ,ryenue Of Ibe-
ria Parish exclusive of the Cor
porations Of New Iberia, Jeane-
Tette, Loreauville and Delcambre,
amounted to 1926, 1880 yielding
. salary Of $3,529.S7 to the Asses
sor of which the Parish paid
$1,65S.11, so that, with 1914 fig
ures as a basis. should the Parish
adopt the proposed system it
would be reimbursed $L,875.76
reducing the salary to $4,42S.24
rs against S4,215.31 the amount
now paid for salaries. This in
crease Of $2l2.93 is not so very
appalling when business-like,
economical and improved public
service is the goal.
Another objection that an elec-
zion to ascertain the wishes Of the
voters would impose a great ex-
pense upon the Parish is scarcely
TO be considered such cause
would fully justify the outlay Of
2 couple of hundred dollars, but. i
as happens at this time, the call
for a Constitutional Convention
will offer an opportunity to hold
this election without a cent of
outlay greater that that imposed
BY the necessity Of electimg dele
gates to the convention.
That the Commissioners may