Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-06-30

Ascension parish seems politically dead
locked and, the parochial legislature
seems unable to organize as result Of
tnis unfortunate condition. The Donald
sonville Chief tells the story as follows:
A meeting of the new police jury Of
Ascension parish was held at the court
house at noon Friday, supposedly for the
purpose of organizing, but due to the
TACT that the body is divided into two
factions Of equal strength, nothing was
done toward the election OF president
and other officers. The personnel of the
jury is a. follows: George B. Reuss, first
ward; Joseph J. Falcon, second ward;
Jamin Tobias, third ward; c. II. Landry,
ST., fourth ward; L. w Armitaee, fifth
ward; Leon Newman, sixth ward, Ger
man Nargassans, seventh ward; Ben. l..
Cambre, eighth ward. Messrs. Reuss,
Landry, Armitage and Newman served
on the outgoing jury.
The members of the incoming body
having qualified by taking THE oath Of
Office, and all being present, they pro-
ceeded to sit as board of review of the
assessment rolls Of the parish. No presi-
dent having been elected, Clerk Of Court,
j. s. Barman, acted in that capacity. F..
N. Pugh questioned the legality of this
proceeding, admitting the authority Of
the clerk OF court under the law to mere
ly convene the jury in the tevent of va
cancy in the office of president, but de-
nying him the right to sit in the place OF
that officer. After a discussion of this
point between Mr.. Pugh, c. G. Weber,
and members of the jury, it was decided
to adjourn the meeting until date when
District Attorney Gilbert, who is the le-
gal advisor of the jury, could be present
and give an opinion on the question.
The general understanding is that the
Jury is divided into two factions, one
consisting of Jurors Newman, Tobias,
Landry and Falcon, and the other OF
Jurors Armitage, Reuss, Nargassans and
Cambre. Each faction has candidate
for president of the jury, in the persons
of Messrs. Newman and Armitage, re-
spectively, and candidate for parish
treasurer, A deadlock will necessarily
ensue, and this condition OF affairs is
likely to continue for an indefinite period,
or at any rate until action is taken 10y the
Legislature on the bill introduced Thurs
day by Representative Morgan OF tins
parish, providing for an additional police
Juror in both the seventh and eighth
wards of Ascension. 1t is said that the
anti.administration, or Armitage faction,
are counting upon the passage OF this bill
to rive them control OF the jury, since
they are in a position to dictate the selec-
ton of the two additional members, ap-
pointment of whom is delegated to the
Governor in the Morgan measure.
Another Office for which a fight is in
prospect, is that of health officer OF the
parish, there being two candidates in the
field: DR.. Paul T. Thibodeanx, OF Donald
sonville, the incumbent, and DIR. George
B. LeSeuer, of Gonzales. DIR. Ihioo-
deaux ia said to have the support oil the
administrationists, while DIR. LeSener's
candidacy is alleged to be esponsed by
by the opposing faction.
The outcome OF the squabble Will Dc
awaited with a great deal OF interest," and
doubtless not little concern 10y those
most vitality involved.