The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1917-06-16
Dunalhannutlle Ohtff
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1917.
THE OLD AND THE NEW.

The ceremonies which marked tHe
o,,tooing of Donaldsonville's "old
citV administration and the incoming
~ her thew" one, Thursday after
NOM were extremely interesting and
edifving, their harmonious and cor
dial character bearing evidence not
only to the relations OF anlty ana
mutual respect prevailing between the
old and new officials, but to the gen
eral esteem and confidence in which
thew are all held by the people OF the
city.
Il can be said without reservation
that the commission form of munich
nal government which has been tested
in Donaldsonvil1e during the past tour
years has been found to measure up
to expectations in the fullest sense
1t is simpler, more direct ana con
seouently more efficient than the
former aldermanic system, concen-
trating authority and responsibility
in three commissioners, each of whom
is properly held accountable for the
operations of his particular DIVISION
Of the city administration.
Unstinted praise and credit are the
Just due of Mayor Walter Lemann,
who has been literally railways on the
Job" during his four years of service
Tireless, enthusiastic, undaunted, he
worked increasingly to demonstrate
the merits of the commission form OF
municipal administration and to pro,
mote the best interests of the city
Though confronted throughout with
momentous problems of finance that
involved a sad lack of funds, to say
nothing of other harassing conditions
his administration has proved dis,
tinct success, as will be generally con
ceded, and he goes out of office with
a record of achievement and of having
tried to achieve that should commend
universal appreciation and respect
Mr.. Lemann had the Jealous and loyal
cooperation of efficient colleagues in
the persons of Commissioners Frank
Milano and w. J. Leblanc originally
and of Commissioners Milano and G.
Kline in the latter period of the
regime, and all four of these gentle
men may rest secure in the assurance
of duty we'll performed and the es-
TEEN of their constituents well
earned.
The full text of report submitted
by Mayor Lemann at the final meet
ing of the outgoing council is publish
ed in this number Of the Chief, and it
sets forth in detail the accomplish
ments of the retiring administration,
presenting record that is replete
with interest and value both as a
retrospect and a guide for future
action.
The Chief has already expressed
the belief that no worthier successors
of the outgoing officials could have
been chosen than Mayor E. K. Sims,
and Commissioners Alex. Bloomen-
stiel and John Schaff, and we repeat
the conviction that the new admins
tration cannot do better in general
way than to emulate the example and
follow the course of its predecessor.
We have not the slightest doubt that
Mayor Sims and his colleagues will
apply themselves diligently to the i'm
portant and difficult task of solving
the problems Of municipal finance
and improvement with which they are
confronted, and that they, zoo, will
make a record Of accomplishment and
effort which viii be creditable alike to
themselves and the constituency that
placed them in control of the city's
affairs.