Year: 1873




sion to make some remarks about this lmpor-
tant road. We mentioned that we had heara
complaints about the incompleteness OF the
work done this summer on the road we de-
sire now to call again the attention of our peo-
ple to this important public work. In doing
this, we cannot refrain from expressing our
satisfaction at the action of the Police Jury, i'll
regard to the much needed bridges over the
Croquant and Teche. The people of this town
and of that portion of the parish deeply inter
ested in having good road to Barry's, had
been making every effort that they we'll could
for several years past, to induce the Police
Juries preceding the last, to have these
bridges built but for some cause not clearly
known to outsiders, these efforts were abort
i've. The Julies preceding the present one
seemed to take but little notice of them, or, if
they did, failed to grant what was needed and
asked for.


The present Jury has done its duty in order
ing these bridges to be constructed. 1t has
rendered to the people of a large section of
our parish, and the citizens of Opelousas, sim
pie justice-a thing hitherto denied them. So
far so good. But unless prompt attention is
given to the public road between Barry S
Landing and Opeousas-before the rainy sea-
son sets in-the bridges will be of little use to
the public; for it will be utterly impossible
unless the road bed much of which is plough
ed, is thrown up properly, drains opened and
small bridges built--to travel over it this
winter in vehicles of any kind.


We have heard persons on the road say that
the time for working the road for this year is
up-that is, that the twelve days labor on the
road that each man subject to road duty owes
during the year, has been done. Some COM
plain that during that time the road overseer
did not have the work done properly distrib
uted that he worked on the road in places
that did not absolutely need the work done,
ard failed to work in places that did need to
be worked, and were almost impossible with
out it. Now, there is a remedy for all this
that we would recommend to our good people
who feel or ought to feel an abiding interest
in this important road. 1t is this: Now that
you have little to do in your fields, and that
the weather is fair and drought has appa-
rently set in, gather together in bands on your
road, with teams, ploushs, hoes, and other
necessary implements. and put your road 10
good order. Apply to the Superintendent of
roads for the scrapers owned by the parish
we feel assured that you can get them-and
throw a road bed where the earth has been
ploughed, open drains, build the small bridges
that may be required You can do this in a
short time, if you will but go to work with a
will Have no fears that any road overseer
or the Superintendent will attempt to stop
your voluntary and unconlpelled work, or that
you will not be credited with the time next
year. Let the people Oh the road but do this
| and good travelling between here and BarrY-s
will be assured for the coming business season


We stated in our last article on this subject
that we had been informed that the bridge
over the Teche was not a draw-bridge. The
| Superintendent of roads stated to us that
there was sliding draw over the channe
that could be opened in few moments. and
thus permit any boat that can navigate that
stream to pass through. We have mentioned
the complaints and criticisms that we have
heard about the bridges and the work done
on this road and it is but just that we should
give the response to them by those who are
to some degree responsible 1or the conultlof
of our public thoroughfares.


We must admit that we rather like to SCI
this agitation of the road question. 1t is
good sign. 1t shows that our people are wax
ing up from the lethargy in reference to thei
public highways, into which they have beel


plunged for years past. We hope that thi


matter will not be permitted to rest quietl!
until we have what we should have had sew
eral years ago, good, substantial road from
here to Barry's Landing-one that can b
travelled over at all seasons of the year. Sucl
a road can be made. There is no doubt o
this. We have often seen the road from her


to Washington in a much worse condition
than that from this place TO Barrys, eveI


when the former was worked yearly; and
is well known that the Barry's Landing roa
had not been worked at all until lately for te
or twelve years. We earnestly hope that thi
highly important public improvement will b
vigorously carried forward to a satisfaction
and speedy completion. The people most d
yectly interested in it can do this within th
next six weeks, if they take hold of the ma
, ter in good earnest.