The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1921-04-06
CITIZENS MEET TO
DISCUSS The CITY
ELECTRIC PLANT
Large Assemblage of Ope-
louseans in Court
House Sunday
CUILBEAU PRESIDED,
ECKART SECRETARY
Many Speeches Stressed
Fact Something Must
Be Done With Plant

Following the tragic death, Friday |
morning, of young Fred Baque by ele-
trocution, rumors began to spread that
a massmeeting would be called to take
up the matter of the electric light
plant. Saturday afternoon hand bills
were circulated about the city an
nouncing that there would be such a
meeting held in the court house Sun
Gav afternoon at 4:30 O'Clock. The
hand bill was couched in the follow
ing language:
''To the Citizens of Opelousas;
Yesterday another electrocution oc
Cured. owing to the dangerous and
defective condition of the electric
lines along our streets. The condition
IS a standing menace to the safety OF
every passing person. This condition
has existed for months and calls for
immediate action. Something must
be done, and we call upon the citizens
of the city of Opelousas to assemble
in mass meeting at the court house
on Sunday afternoon, April 8, at 4:3o
O'Clock, for the purpose of taking
such action as they deem best to
remedy this deplorable condition"
The signers to the call for the mass
meeting were: J. R. Pavy, ]. G. Law
Ter. w. R. Lastrapes, M. H. Thompson
Alex w. Swords, R. NJ. Littell. E. Nj
Boagni, D. L. Guilbeau, L. Austin Fon
tenot, E. V. Boagni, Jno. w. Lewis
Chas Thibodeaux.
Much interest was evinced in tbs
meeting and at the appointed houl
the court room filled with rapidity anC
within a very short time every sea
was filled and many were standing IL
the aisles and in the rear. SeVera
hundred persons we're on hand, amoni
the number being a few from out
l town who were, apparently, as deepl
5 interested in the issues discussed a
were the town people present.
The meeting did not lose any tim
but got under way promptly by tn
e unanimous election of Dudley L. Gui
beau as chairman and Richard Eel
, art as secretary.
In calling the meeting to 'erder M
q Guilbeau delivered a forceful speech
o touching upon the points at issue.
l. was not a political meeting, said Nj
Guilbeau, and did not assemble
"play politics" but to discuss Wit
matters affecting the city and l
citizens.
A communication from Mr.. Simt
Y Sicily. alderman from the third war
y was read by Mr.. Guilbeau, and on m
ton referred to the committee a
T. pointed by the chairman to meet WI
; the city council and take up the ele
trio light plant situation.
Speeches we're delivered by JUDI
G. L. Dupre, E. NJ. Boagni, John LIE
- is. Alex w. Swords, Judge b.
u Pavv. Mr.. Guilbeau and Judge J.
- Williamson, the latter a resident
w Evansville. Indiana, but who is sper
~ ing the most of his time here and W
. contemplates making his permane
residence in Opelousas.
Ho All speeches were greeted WI
nc tbunderous applause, the points ma
. nv each speaker evidently strlkl
ne home to the large audience. 1t v
ne the concensus of opinion that
~ meeting was timely and that tn
% cugh investigation of the light pl'
ond the cost so far of rehabilitat
= the same be made, and the fixing
W the responsibility of any failure
NV the part of the administration to
the plant in perfect shape by
present time.
A motion was made, duly seeon'
,or and unanimously adopted, that
for chair appoint a committee OF 1
vs with the chair as a member, to m
on with the board of aldermen and I
,ro up the matter under discussion. On
+bs man Guilbeau announced the foil
m ing on the committee: D. L. Guilb
nal beau. E. NJ. Boagni, L. E. Littel,
Il Callahan and E B: Dubuisson.
,rc Callahan is assistant city clerk
in thoroughly familiar with the be
bor and accounts of the city and,
,a1 chairman stated, the committee
citv rely on his knowledge of the city''
,ent fairs to aid It in threshing out
ting situation and enable the other n
Sur- hers to formulate and furnish a G
the cut report.
,ard Some of the speakers fndulge'
nseI strong language, growing almost
ourt riolic at times, while others
,ded more moderate in their staten
de- Judge Pavy, eloquently and vigo'
iail ", spoke in more conciliatory
the ner and pleaded that the me-
not act too hastily. Others, disc