and Agricultural and Mechanical College

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Master of Arts

in

Robert Brantley Cagle, Jr.

B.A., McNeese State College, 1965

                 ABSTRACT

                 CHAPTER

                     I. THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF LAKE CHARLES TO 1890

                     II. THE EMERGENCE OF CITY POLITICS, 1890-1900

                     III. THE DECLINE OF ALDERMANIC POLITICS, 1900-1909

                     IV. LAKE CHARLES ADOPTS "BUSINESS" GOVERNMENT, 1910-1916

                     V. LAKE CHARLES MATURES, 1916-1930

                     VI. SYNTHESIS AND CONCLUSION

                 BIBLIOGRAPHY

                APPENDIX

                     A. CHARTER OF 1867

                     B. PROPOSED CHARTER OF 1889

                    C. PROPOSED CHARTER OF 1894

                     D. PROPOSED CHARTER OF 1899

                     E. CHARTER OF 1912

                     F. MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

                 VITA

Not until the late 1880’s did municipal politics attain significance; by 1890 the campaigns were considerably more competitive and spirited, and Lake Charles began to attain an awareness that, no longer a hamlet, the people had to face problems of city government.

In the years 1890-1900, the outdated 1867 charter was amended after two failures to meet the new city demands. During the period from 1900 to 1909, this new charter, which specified a revision of the old aldermanic system of government, was tried and found unsuccessful.

The years 1910-1916 were marked by a recovery that was both economic and political; almost the entire business district was rebuilt, and the new commission government made notable progress in civic improvement.

THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT OF LAKE CHARLES TO 1890

The early political development of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was secondary to settlers’ economic and social adjustments to the area. The first years of incorporation were by an influx of settlers from several parts of the United States, first by those seeking new opportunities of livelihood and later by refugees from the ravages of Civil War and Reconstruction. The economic incentives of settlement - lumbering and agriculture - remained dominant until the later part of the nineteenth century. Incorporation of the village in 1861, and re-incorporation in 1867, failed to bring about a change in the political apathy of the citizenry. It was not until the end of the 1880’s that political developments began to parallel those of the expanding economy.

The original inhabitants of Lake Charles were South and Central American Indian tribes, who made periodic visits to the area. These tribes were followed by the first permanent inhabitants, the Atakapas, cannibalistic tribesmen who occupied the area before the time of Christ. According to a trader from the Lafitte Commune, this tribe remained cannibalistic as late as 1810. (1) The first permanent white settler in the area was Martin LeBleu, a native of Bordeaux, France, who, in 1781, established his home near English Bayou, six miles east of the present site of Lake Charles. Although LeBleu never lived in Lake Charles, his family directly and indirectly had a prominent influence on the political, economic, and social development of the vicinity. (2) Two years after LeBleu’s arrival, Charles Sallier, a New Orleans Spaniard, reached the area. Sallier first settled near the mouth of the Calcasieu River on land purchased from the Indians; however, when he married Catherine LeBleu in 1803, he moved to the lakefront and became the first white man to erect a home on the site of the city of Lake Charles.(3)

Lake Charles was first known as "Charlie’s Lake." By 1860, it was being called "Charleston" or "Charles Town." During the period before 1860, Charlie’s Lake was a familiar stopping point for wayfarers and traders. (4)

In 1815 white settlers from the Atlantic seaboard states began arriving in southwest Louisiana. This influx in 1817 brought Jacob Ryan, originally of Georgia, who had settled for a short time in Vermillion Parish. Ryan and his family settled on the west bank of the Calcasieu River at a place later called Vincent Settlement. He remained there until his death in 1850. (5) The chief motivation for settlement between 1815 and 1842 was the availability of the Rio Hondo claims, which originated from a boundary dispute between Spain and the United States. These claims stretched along the bayous from Natchitoches to Hackberry. (6) In order to tighten its claim on the disputed territory between the Sabine and Calcasieu (Arroyo Hondo) Rivers, the United States made liberal offers of land to settlers. This promise of landed opportunity attracted to the area "stalwart sons of the Old South" - Tennesseans, Carolinians, and Georgians "whose intrepid characters and long rifles did more to settle the boundary question than any display of force could have done." (7) Although there was never any open conflict over the disputed territory, Colonel James B. Many sent a Major Burch to Lake Charles on November 20, 1829, to establish Camp Atkinson to defend the area. The troops were with drawn three years later. (8)

A second wave of settlers began to enter Lake Charles in the latter part of the 1830’s. Thomas Bilbo, along with James Barnett, arrived in Lake Charles in1837. 1850 brought Jacob Ryan, Jr., who had served as sheriff of Calcasieu from1846 to 1850. James Hodges, who was one of the early merchants of Lake Charles, and William Hutchinson, entered the area in 1857. (9) All of these settlers were either farmers, traders, or merchants. The first professional man to enter Lake Charles was Samuel Adams Kirby. A native of Vermont, who had graduated from Middleburry Law School in that state. Kirby moved to the South hoping to improve his poor health. The first lawyer in Lake Charles, Kirby’s tenure in the area was brief, but during that time, he did more for the early development of the town than any other resident. (10) Jacob Ryan is commonly referred to as the "Father of Lake Charles;" however, according to Miss Maud Reid, this is only because Ryan outlived Kirby and the influence of the Kirby family was not felt after the attorney’s death. (11)

Captain Daniel Goos, a native of Schlesweg-Holstein, came to Lake Charles in 1855 and established his home in the northern part of town. The economic destiny of Lake Charles for the rest of the nineteenth century was greatly influenced by this man’s arrival. Before the appearance of Goss, the lumber industry was dominated by Jacob Ryan and a few others, who, during favorable weather, produced five hundred board feet of lumber per day. After Goos established his small sawmill, the lumber business showed a notable increase. It was the Goos mill, which provided most of the wood for the building of Lake Charles. Following the establishment of the Goss mill, Lake Charles began to gain recognition as a significant industrial center. (12) By 1858 the combined increase in production of the Goos and Ryan mills caused considerable trade to develop between Lake Charles and Galveston, Texas. (13)

From 1840 to 1867 the political development of Lake Charles was almost inseparable from that of Calcasieu parish. On March 20, 1840, approximately one-fourth of Louisiana was organized into a section known as "Imperial Calcasieu," which was made up of the present parishes of Cameron, Beauregard, Allen, Jefferson Davis, and Calcasieu. (14) At the first Police Jury meeting, held at the home of Arsene Le Bleu on March 24, 1840, the parish seat was located at Comas Bluff, later named Marion after the Revolutionary leader Francis Marion. At the same meeting, Michael Pithon, representative from Ward 3, was elected first president of the Police Jury. (15)

In 1852 Jacob Ryan journeyed to New Orleans and received permission from the State government to move the parish seat, wherever, whenever, and however he wished. That same year Ryan, along with Samuel Kirby, transferred the parish courthouse and jail to Lake Charles, which was at that time called Charleston. (16)

By 1857, the small village of Charleston had shed its "backwoods atmosphere." (17) In 1859, Lake Charles was a thriving agricultural center, producing fruit, vegetables, and other agricultural goods. (18) Since 1840 the population had gradually increased, and as one historian has put it, the "old settlers and newcomers were close in fellowship, united by the common objective of wrestling a living from the various sources around them."(19) By 1860 Lake Charles had reached a population of 430.(20) On March 7, 1861, Lake Charles was incorporated as the town of Charleston , Louisiana, (21) although the name of the town appeared as "Lake Charles" in the Police Jury Minutes. (22)

In 1852 and 1856, Calcasieu Parish went Democratic in the presidential election. On November 6, 1860, Lake Charles joined the rest of the parish in voting Democratic again. J. C. Breckinridge polled 396 votes, while Stephen A. Douglas polled none. John Bell of the Constitutional Union Party received the remaining twenty-four votes. (23)

At the time of the Civil War, no official actions were taken or official town records kept, in order to avoid capture by the Union forces. (24) The only governing body was the Police Jury, which administered authority and appointed Patrolman Charles Glasspool as the only town official for the duration of the war. (25)

Charleston ("Lake Charles") was not materially hindered by the Civil War, because it was too far west of the actual hostilities. Its People, however, were very active in the war effort, responding to the demand for both troops and supplies. (26) The men of the community participated in five military organizations and later played a role in the 1862 campaigns. (27) During the war, Yankee gunboats ventured up the Calcasieu River, but only once was here an actual engagement. In 1863 two federal gunboats, the Granite City and the Wave, were attacked and captured by Green’s Brigade in a brief battle at the mouth of the Calcasieu River. The two vessels were taken to Lake Charles, and the wounded were conveyed to Goosport where they recuperated at the home of Daniel Goos. (28) Except for this incident and the bombardment of the town, Civil War activities within Lake Charles were limited to caring for neglected families of volunteers, which was the concern of a committee headed by Joseph Sallier and William Holland. (29)

With the conclusion of hostilities, Lake Charles again began to flourish. Not only was the town spared from the Civil War, but it was also for all practical purposes exempted from the fraud, violence, intimidation, and political unrest of Reconstruction. (30) In June of 1866, George H. Wells a native of Schenectady, New York, established his law practice in Lake Charles. At that time, Lake Charles had no newspaper, railroad, or telegraph line and relied on one small store with an inventory of less than $100. (31) On the south side of the lake, Goss built a new mill, which had a capacity of eight thousand feet of lumber a day. By 1869 the lumber mills of George Rock, W. H. Norris, A. J. Perkins, and L. C. Dees had a combined production of approximately 1,217,000 board feet of lumber, which was shipped principally to Gulfport, Mississippi via 128 schooners. (32)

After the war, the leading mill owners of Lake Charles faced two problems. The first problem, that of a labor shortage, was partly solved by encouraging the settlement of people from abroad; William E. Krebbs states, "in consequence this section now boasts (sic) a citizenry unsurpassed." The shortage was further answered by the internal immigration of Civil War veterans, both Union and Confederate, who were searching for an area that had been practically untouched by the wrath of the war. Securing a regular and steady supply of logs was the second problem, which confronted the mill owners. They solved it through specialized production and management techniques. (33) After overcoming these difficulties, Lake Charles developed into a "sawmill focus," due to its good location on the lake and the fact that Calcasieu Pass was made an official port of entry after the war. (34)

Six years after Lake Charles was incorporated, dissatisfaction over the name of Charleston occurred. On March 16, 1867, Charleston Louisiana was incorporated into the town of Lake Charles. Under the terms of Louisiana Act 79, the Town Council was to consist of a mayor and five aldermen, to be elected on the first Monday of June each year. (35) For the following forty-five years the political development of Lake Charles was centered around the aldermanic form of government.

From 1866 to 1868, Lake Charles had improved more rapidly in general appearance than in the ten years before the war. (36) By order of General R.C. Buckman, the first town election was held on June 17, 1868. For the first few years, the municipal primaries were almost void of political competition. (37) On July 6, 1868, the first municipal officials took office; thus the political history of Lake Charles and Ward 3, as an individual political entity, had begun. At the first council meeting, which took place in the courthouse, the following men took their positions as aldermen: William H, Kirkman, B.R. Stoddard, William G. Kebbe, J. B. Kirkman, and Joseph S. Bilbo. (38)

The first mayor of Lake Charles was John W. Bryan, who was born in Calcasieu on December 28, 1834. He had served with the Confederacy as a captain and had distinguished himself as a commander of a regiment during the siege of Vicksburg. He returned to Lake Charles in 1868, and thereafter, besides his official duties as mayor, taught school, ran a general merchandising store, sold real estate, and was the first editor of the Weekly Echo. (39)

On July 25, 1868, Jacob Ryan was selected as the first treasurer of Lake Charles; John Spencer, town secretary; M. J. Rosteet, town collector; Pat Fitzgerald, town constable; and George H. Wells, town attorney. (40) The first survey of Lake Charles was granted to J. S. Bilbo. (41) The results of the Bilbo survey denoted the limits of Lake Charles as follows:

"Being north on the east bank of Lake Charles, ten acres above the residence of Joseph L Bilbo, thence southward along the bank of said lake to an including the lands of Michael Pithon, thence eastward on a line parallel with the south lines of lands of W. Hutchins and so as to include the residence of J.V. Moss, to the line which intersects the lands of V. Touchy and W. Hutchins, thence on a parallel line with said intersection an east and west line form the place of beginning, and comprising all property therein situated." (42)

Paralleling the establishment of municipal politics was the organization of the Calcasieu Democratic Party in August of 1858. All members of the Town Council, with the exception of Mayor Bryan, made a published plea to their fellow citizens to support the candidacy of Seymour and Blair. (43) On August 29, 1868, a meeting was held in Lake Charles for the purpose of ratifying the Seymour-Blair ticket. It was further resolved that African slavery was dead and that Negro voters were entitled to full enjoyment of the right of person and property. (44) J. V. Moss, president of the meeting appointed Jacob Ryan, Daniel Goos, and Cr. W. J. Kibbe to organize a Democratic club in Ward 3. The parish Democratic executive club, which was the focal point of political activity, was dominated by Lake Charles citizens. (45) In the presidential primaries of November, Lake Charles rejected the Republican Party’s eight-year domination of the Presidency by casting 244 votes for the Seymour and only two for Grant. (46)

By early 1869, Lake Charles was rapidly improving with new sidewalks, streets, buildings, and an increase in population, which by 1870 had reached approximately 700. (47) The basic cause of growth was he increased lumber business after the war. The foundation of Lake Charles’ economic prosperity were laid between 1865 and 1876. By 1876 Lake Charles had twelve sawmills in addition to many logging companies, which provided a large income for the community. (48) Almost parallel with its 1867 incorporation, Lake Charles entered into a new era, which Stewart A. Ferguson has labeled "an epoch of wood". (49)

Because of its industrial potential and attractive location, Lake Charles was infiltrated by Northerners and Midwesterners. This influx may possibly be the reason for the ethnic differences, which still separate Lake Charles for the rest of Southwest Louisiana. By the 1870’s the populace of Lake Charles was predominantly Midwestern instead of Louisiana French. According to H. G. Chalkley, Lake Charles is today a "strange combination of a Louisiana French community with a Texas town." (50)

In 1869 the Town Council did very little; in fact, five years later the council unanimously passed a motion rejecting the accounts of J. W. Bryan for services rendered as mayor for the year 1869. (51) The basis issues in the municipal campaign of that year were proper police protection and taxes. On the 6^th of June, the same officials were returned to office for a third term. (52)

In 1870, the town of Lake Charles was yet in its infancy, the town’s government was nebulous, and civic improvements were lacking. By the mid-1870’s, the town was returning to the agricultural abundance that it had enjoyed before the war. Improvements were constantly being made, and by 1875, Lake Charles had regained its pre-war economic level. (53) In an anonymous letter written to the editor of the Opelousas Courier and published July 31, 1875, the author described Lake Charles as a little village "rapidly growing in population, thanks to the different advantages which the country offers to immigrants" and a town "having twelve or fourteen sawmills located in a circuit of less than ten miles," a fact which did much to attract immigrants. The main branch of industry in the vicinity of the lake was, he said, "the culture of oranges," with some individuals owning extensive nurseries containing several thousand orange trees. (54) By 1872 Lake Charles had a new courthouse, a telegraph line, and the prospect of daily rail connections with the commercial emporiums of Louisiana and Texas - a prospect which did not materialize until 1880. (55)

As late as 1874, municipal primary elections lacked vigorous competition. For example, in the election of that year, members of the Council had to suggest to the citizens that an election be held. The Weekly Echo proposed that a meeting of local citizens be held to select candidates by ballots on the first Monday of June of that year; the result was the election of William Meyer, a local merchant, who was to dominate the mayoralty for the next fourteen years. (56) In that same year two prominent Lake Charles citizens, William H. Kirkman and George H. Wells, became active in the campaign for state Senator. On June 20, Wells made an address in Opelousas. Because of his influence and distinguished position in Lake Charles’ political affaire at the time, Wells’ address may best reflect the political ideals of the Lake Charles citizenry in the mid-1870’s. A columnist for the Weekly Echo described Wells’ political convictions:

"Though not a member of the White League, and confining himself strictly to his published political views, he left no doubt in the minds of anyone present that in his opinion, the policy of the Republican Party was to Africanize the Southern States. He paid a beautiful compliment to Col. De Blanc, the hero of the "White Camelia" - the defender in past times of an abstract principle, which he vitalized in his own life and actions. Like the immortal charge of the six hundred at the Balahlave, Col. De Blanc never paused to count the odds against him when duty led him on. He might suffer, he might die, but life and death alike must always be to him the interpreters of heroic and patriotic actions." (57)

Although Wells’ rare rhetorical faculty appealed to audiences, Kirkman led his three opponents and defeated Wells by a margin of 88 votes. (58)

The first competitive municipal election in the history of Lake Charles was held June 7, 1875. Besides the regular Democratic ticket nominated at a public meeting on May 22, there were three independent candidates for alderman - B. Kowatz, Victor Touchey, and J. W. Bryan. The election returned the William Meyer ticket to office, with the exception of one independent candidate, J. W. Bryan, who captured the fifth alderman’s post. (59)

After this competitive primary, the Council became actively engaged in securing more improvements. In the previous year, the Town Council had examined the condition of streets, bridges, and sidewalks. (60) Lake Charles sanitation improvements began early in 1875 when a committee was appointed by the Police Jury to inspect streets in reference to drainage and to report needs for improvement. (61) During 1875 and 1876, the correspondence of city officials indicates increases in purchases of lumber and other materials for the purpose of city improvements. (62) Later, in 1879, the Council recommended that the building of sidewalks would be too expensive and instead presented a plan for building a causeway across the marsh on Broad and Hodges streets. (63)

The municipal primary of 1876 generated more interest than had any previous campaign. Two full tickets were placed in contention, although both were headed by Mayor Meyer. (64) In the 1872 Presidential primary, Lake Charles had joined the rest of the parish in supporting Horace Greeley, and in the disputed election of 1876, Lake Charles exercised its voting prerogative by casting 274 votes for Tilden and 68 votes for Hayes. The enthusiasm of the municipal election of 1876 declined in 1877, when only 55 votes were cast in a single ticket primary, and Meyer was restored by a unanimous vote. (66) (65 is missing) The municipal primaries of 1878 and 1879 were uncontested, and William Meyer remained mayor. (67)

Although the political development of Lake Charles was limited during the 1870’s, the town by 1879 was discarding its village characteristics. Except for the panic year of 1873 and the log controversy with the federal government in1878, the lumber industry during the decade of the seventies increased from 7,800,000 board feet of lumber produced in 1871 to 20,000,000 by 1880. (68) In 1874, an opportunity for foreign lumber trade was opened by French capitalists who were impressed by the high quality of Calcasieu lumber. Subsequently, a movement was initiated to make Lake Charles an official port of entry, and the persistent lumber concerns in the area petitioned Congress to this effect. (69)

The industrial period of the seventies was climaxed by the coming of the railroad in 1879. Before the railroad came, lumber schooners were the major motor transportation, especially between 1870 and 1880. (70) On March 26, 1880, the Lake Charles Echo commented on the elation of the Lake Charles citizenry when it said: "Everyone feels like shouting! At ten o’clock this morning, the gap in the railroad between Lake Charles and Orange [Texas] was closed. Lake Charles is now connected with Houston and all parts of the world. It is almost too wonderful to be true." (71)

The establishment of the Louisiana Western railway system, on land provided by the City Fathers, "marked the first notable advance in the population and business of Lake Charles." (72) In 1880 the population was only 800, but by 1890, it had multiplied 400 percent, reaching a total of 3,260. (73) The period from 1880 to 1890 can be labeled as the "period of northern immigration." During this period, settlers in great numbers form Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa entered Calcasieu Parish. This immigration strengthened the demographic trend toward a Northern cultural climate. According to Miss Maude Reid, this Northern influx was the decisive factor in the ethnic separation of Lake Charles from the rest of Southwest Louisiana, and prevented it from bearing the characteristics of a "Southern" town. (74) The vanguard of this influx found a courteous citizenry being erected. (75) The Council of 1880 represented the mercantile, mechanical, and laboring interests of the population but was said "to argue (sic) well for the rest of the interest of Lake Charles."(76) However, the municipal election still remained a one-ticket affair. In the Presidential election of that year, Lake Charles remained Democratic, but a notable seventy votes were cast for Garfield. (77) At the same time, despite a vigorous campaign by the United Friends of Temperance, organized in October of 1877, Lake Charles also rejected the prohibition amendment by a notable margin. (78)

By the early 1880’s, Lake Charles began even more to feel the results of Northern infiltration. The federal government made land available at $1.25 an acre, attracting Eastern lumber capitalists. The main company, which arrived in 1883, was the American Land and Timber Company. It purchased large amounts of land and began a systematic advertising campaign to attract new immigration and capital. This campaign was spearheaded by J. B. Watkins, an industrialist from Lawrence, Kansas, who through his efforts "caused Lake Charles to be the best advertised city in the United States," and who was largely responsible for securing immigration to Calcasieu Parish. For example, he distributed thousands of pamphlets and circulars, advertising the advantages and resources of the area. In 1886 he spent $2000 on one cent postage stamps. (79) Backed by English capital, Watkins purchased more than one and a half million acres of prairie and marsh land that lay between the Sabine River and White Lake. In 1884, Watkins hired his brother-in-law, Alexander Thompson, professor of mechanical engineering at Iowa State College, to take charge of the engineering of this land purchase. Thompson persuaded Dr. Seaman A. Knapp, President of Iowa Agriculture College in Ames, Iowa, to join him. Knapp, a native of Schroon Lake, New York, accepted the position of investigating the agricultural prospects of the area and of helping to bring in settlers. (80)

After the Civil War, Captain Goss and other leaders were among the first to realize that the problem of labor would have to be solved along new lines. (81) The appeal of a new "Promised Land," untouched by the confusion of Reconstruction, and the offer of gainful employment in the sawmills attracted many Negroes during the 1870’s. But the greatest increase occurred in the 1880’s and the 1890’s. (82) This increase in immigration was partly caused by the establishment of commercial relations between Calcasieu and the West and Northwest, attracting many displaced common Negro laborers. The most important motivation, however, was a higher wage. Some Negroes were paid as much as $2.50 to $10.00 per day. Alex Holmes, a sawyer (lawyer) in the Bel Mill for forty-four years, received $8.00 per day for his services. (83) Although the Negro enjoyed suffrage in Lake Charles and was invited to all political rallies, he did not become significant as a voting bloc until later.

Even before the arrival of Watkins in 1883, Lake Charles was a booming town though still small. (84) The political vigor for municipal elections remained dormant until 1883 when a competitive election was held. Two tickets were placed in contention, the first headed by G. A. Fournet and the second headed by Mayor William Meyer. Meyer was reelected. (85) The spirited campaign came in 1884. During this period, Lake Charles had many saloons and "houses of public entertainment" which attracted countless undesirables. Consequently, the main issue of the campaign was - as the Echo put it - that of protecting the population against "the scores of revelers who make night hideous with their howls, jeers and firearms." (86)

In 1888, a broader interest began to develop in municipal elections. The citizenry was concerned over better leadership, sanitation problems, and drainage facilities, which would make the town less susceptible to disease. In that election, two tickets were placed before the public - the Democratic ticket tipped by Jacob Ryan, and A. L. Reid’s ticket, which was elected by a margin of sixty-four votes. This was the first time that a democratic ticket was defeated in a municipal primary. (87) In the presidential election of 1884 Lake Charles had gone solidly democratic. (88) There was, however, a distinct trend toward division in the 1888 Presidential primary, following the party division in the municipal election. Cleveland carried Ward 3, but there was a notable indication of Republican leanings. (89) In the 1889 municipal election, the Democratic party did not present a ticket. The People’s ticket, headed by S. O. Shattuck, was placed in opposition to Reid’s Citizens’ ticket and won the election by eleven votes. (90)

The City Council elected in 1889 contrasted sharply from earlier councils in its awareness of responsibility to the community. Soon after the new council’s election, it was challenged by the Lake Charles Echo to take positive action: "Now that our newly elected council have (sic) been in stalled, and the wheels of municipal government freshly greased for another year’s run, it is all important that right at the inception of their administration, they should determine upon some intelligent, progressive policy which will be of material and per inent (sic) benefit to the town. In the neighborhood of $10,000 of annual revenue will be under their control. It is true that all this may be easily frittered away for garbage hauling, dog killing, street repairing, etc. But if out city fathers will resolve upon systematic improvement a portion of this, say $2500, may be set aside for some particular purpose. For example, let resolve to dig a deep drainage canal from the lake at a central portion of town back to the entrance edge of the settled part, so as to drain into the lake. Let this ditch be planked on bottom and sides, and if necessary on top. Twenty-five hundred dollars will do it. All the central portion of town being drained into this canal by cross ditches, will become much more healthy, and the lots more desirable… It is only necessary to say, the world was not made in a day - your time next. If this be done a permanent drainage will become an issue inn our nest town election, and those who will have furnished proof of their willingness and ability to utilize town funds for the benefit of the town will have the inside track for election. Five years in such a course will without a dollar of extra tax, make Lake Charles on of the best drained towns in the South, and will retain her reputation as one of the healthiest. As drainage becomes more perfect, street cleaning will grow cheaper. Drainage, water, protection from fire and the lake front improvement are the most needed improvements for Lake Charles to-day." (91) Another evidence of the growing community’s increased political awareness was the new revisions to the town charter introduced in 1889, which were designed to deal with municipal rather than rural administration. (92)

The railroad attracted many new sawmills during the 1880’s. In late February of 1889, a meeting was held in Lake Charles concerning the prospect of the Kansas City, Watkins, and Gulf Railroad. In the latter part of June, work began on the second railroad, which was described by the Echo as being "vital to the prosperity of our embryo city." The most notable advance in the latter part of the 1880’s was the appointment of Deputy Collector of Customs a Calcasieu Pass. This event, desired by the citizenry since the mid-1870’s, caused Lake Charles to become a prosperous port town. The establishment of a second railroad to the part and the maturing of the issue concerning the dredging and deepening of the Lake Charles channel caused a new exuberance in municipal and political affairs. (93)

The agrarian economy, which had been the principal attraction of early immigration, had undergone a transformation resulting from heavy Northern immigration in the 1880’s. The outlook for the future was promising, as indicated in a letter written in 1889 by the Reverend C. A. King, who had arrived in Lake Charles that year. In this letter, addressed to his son George, King discussed the prospects of an inland harbor for southwest Louisiana, suggesting that Lake Charles was the only feasible spot for this harbor. "We are," he wrote, "sure to have deep water and that will make Lake Charles the future great city of southwest Louisiana. (94)

THE EMERGENCE OF CITY POLITICS

1890-1900

Development of Calcasieu Pass and the acquisition of deep-water facility at Lake Charles were the major side issues of Lake Charles municipal politics. In 1876, Congress had passed a Bill authorizing the improvement of Calcasieu Pass. In 1881 a channel seventy feet wide and six feet deep was dredged; later it was widened to one hundred feet. In 1890, Congress appropriated $75,000 for work on the project; the newly organized Lake Charles Board of Trade, under the leadership of H. C. Drew, increased the amount to $100,000 and the channel was deepened. After much political controversy, Calcasieu Pass, in 1896, was placed on the continuing contract system of the Federal government. (2)

A meeting of citizens in 1890, called to consider the best interests of Lake Charles, helped pave the way to the establishment and organization of the Lake Charles Board of Trade. (3) The Board played a significant role in contributing to the general prosperity of the city. Their aim was "to promote the interests of commerce and trade, and increase the facilities and amount of the business of the city of Lake Charles and the parish of Calcasieu, and to further all measures requisite for the public utility and advantage attendant there on." (4)

Weighted with three charters, municipal politics between 1889 and 1899 underwent a period of trial and error and general confusion. In the late 1880’s as immigration increased and the economy expanded, the 1867 charter became outdated. A new charter was proposed in March 1889, for the purpose of coping with the expanding demands of government. The two most important sections concerned the extension of the city limits and the lengthening of municipal terms from one to two years. The commentary in the local papers was mixed; both the D and the Commercial were opposed to the charter, arguing that it was defective on several major issues. Concerning the provision calling for a two-year term, the Echo pointed out that, if accepted, Lake Charles would be without a mayor from June 1890 to June1891. Another bone of contention related to the veto power of mayor, which would be "nullified by allowing the votes of three alderman to enact a law over the veto, and thus acts would be passed by three (mayor and two aldermen) and the veto would be recorded against. (5) The Echo also objected to the section pertaining to the right of the board of aldermen to fix the compensation of the mayor and officers. The newspaper suggested two contingencies:

1^st. There is no condition that it shall be fixed once for the whole term, except in case of collector and treasurer. Hence, if all the board are of one way of thinking salaries may be to high. If the majority are opposed to the mayor his salary may be made so low as to compel a meritorious officer to resign. So with other officers; pets may be employed at exorbitantly high salaries or good officers may be forced out by parsimony or ill will.

2^nd. A board of officers elected for one year will have power to appropriate and fix taxation and licenses for two years, and thus bind those who would follow the second year, and perhaps leave them without funds… Corrupt combinations of individuals may make serious in roads upon the treasury.

In its final analysis, the Echo suggested that Lake Charles had incorporated room for 25,000 people and felt no need for a new charter. (6) Whether or not due to the Echo’s opposition, the charter failed, and Lake Charles retained her old aldermanic system until 1894.

In early June 1890, two tickets were placed in contention for municipal offices--the major issue being the improvement of sidewalks. (7) The People’s Ticket, headed by A. L. Reid, opposed the New Deal Ticket, topped by A. Rigmaiden. After a relatively peaceful campaign, the entire People’s Ticket, with the exception of one post, was elected. (8)

The 1892 primary for city council was rather peaceful, although it did have its lighter moments. "As a joke," reported the Echo, "A. Schwab was put up for mayor…

Those who were the prime mover in the business thought it was a joke, but when they found that it was being treated in a serious manner they tried to squelch it; but, like Banquo’s ghost, it would not down at their bidding, consequently they had to go to work, and do some very effective work at that, to defeat Schwab. (13) A.L. Reid won by a comfortable majority. With the exception of Reid, the 1892 council members had never served in a city position; never-the less, the Commercial believed that "without a doubt, a more competent set could not have been selected, and they will devote a good deal of their time to the improvement and wants of our city. (14)

Through the 1890’s, construction in Lake Charles underwent a slight boom. A bridge was constructed over Contraband Bayou and a municipal wharf was started. (15) The Pleasure Park Association, formed in 1894, sold bonds and provided funds for construction of a racetrack, a dance floor, and a grandstand. The original plan fell through, however, and the park was mainly used for Fourth of July celebrations. (16) Politically, the anti-lottery issue gained major significance in mid-1891. Meetings were held and speeches were delivered denouncing the evils of the lottery system. (17) The parish Democratic Committee supported the anti-lottery Democrats, urging its backers to maintain and perpetuate "Jeffersonian democracy." (18) A Ladies’ Anti-lottery League was formed and conducted a vigorous campaign against the lottery. (19)

In 1892, Lake Charles, along with the rest of the parish, favored Murphy J. Foster over Samuel D. McEnery by 406 votes in the Louisianan governor’s race. (20) The 1893 council race was slightly more spirited than those of the previous two years. The Echo, in its usual plea for grave consideration of municipal candidates, pleaded that "there was yet

time to organize," and expressed an "abiding faith in the good people of this city," who could, if they would try, arise and put down "this one-man government that has been running this city for so many years." Suggesting that the candidate for mayor, instead of choosing his own ticket, would run on a ticket selected by a citizens’ meeting, the Echo supported Jacob Ryan as the most "fitting selection" for the post and one who would be a refreshing change toward a more representative ticket. It challenged Lake Charles by stating: "Now boys, put your shoulders to the wheel, and with a long steady pull, a strong pull, and a pull together, form the time the ticket is announced until the last ballot is counted next Monday night and we will bet a dime to a doughnut that there will be a change in the city administration." (21)

The major issue of the campaign, reported the Echo, was the conflict between ring and anti-ring men, who were "watching each move of the other. When the ring men finally called for a conference among themselves to see which of their two candidates, A. L. Reid or S. O. Shattuck [they] should pull down, the anti-ring men knew that they had the ring men in a hole." As a conference held the Friday evening before the Monday election, the ring decided that Shattuck was to withdraw, but on Saturday morning Shattuck appeared on the streets and announced that he would be candidate for mayor. Reid and the conference committee were quite perturbed, and the consequence "was quite a flurry among the ring men." About two p.m. a pronunciamento was circulated, in which Reid declared: "For reasons best known to myself I [Reid] am no longer a candidate for mayor of the city of Lake Charles." (22)

Paralleling the actions of the Ring Ticket, "friends" of Jacob Ryan and L. C. Dees nominated an opposition candidate, one who was to dominate the mayoralty until 1899. This was Pat Crowley, foreman and road master of the Southern Pacific Railroad, a native of County Cork, Ireland, who had come to America twenty-five years previously.

Settling in Lake Charles in 1879, he conducted a saloon on Railroad Avenue, built the first steam laundry in the city, and was one of the prime movers in organizing the street railway. (23) Under his five-year administration, Lake Charles would realize a progressive municipal government.

The newly elected council was a youthful aggregation representing varied backgrounds. Harry Milligan, thirty-three, grocer, native of Topeka, Kansas, had resided in the city for only two years; he was described by the Echo as "a hustler." John Poe (later mayor) was noted as a popular individual who ran on both tickets and stood "well with all parties." Ed Ryan, thirty-six, native of Chicago, partner in a local livery stable, was "the heavy member of the council, and…the only bachelor in the crowd." Completing the youthful ticket were A. P. McCain, thirty-one, native of Washington Parish, and William J. Gayle, thirty-seven, of Pointe Coupee Parish. The Echo emphasized: "Not one of the gentleman sought the place, and only consented to serve at the earnest solicitation of their friends." (24) The newspapers urged the new council to take steps toward securing a new charter for the city, which would provide for the election of the mayor and a board of five aldermen and proposed that the aldermen should elect a police judge who would try all offenses against city ordinances. This, suggested the Echo, would free the mayor form the duty of holding police court every morning and listening to "the little tales of woe" of patrons of the police court." (25)

In April 1893, a movement was initiated in favor of a bond issue of $50,000 for the purpose of improving Lake Charles streets. The Echo supported the proposal, for improvements were badly needed. When the town was laid out, few provisions had been made for streets. The sooner all streets were opened and improved, argued the Echo, the cheaper it would be in cost to the city. There were "some old fogies who will stand against the idea of $50,000 of bonds," but the Echo, felt that the amount was feasible. "We can," wrote the paper, "understand the disgust that the very name of ‘Bonds’ creates in the mind of the older citizens, in whose thoughts the memory of the Carpetbag regime is yet fresh, but they should remember that those days have passed." Since the proposed bonds would "be devoted to much needed improvements, which are for the benefit of he coming generation as well as the present….the coming generation should be willing to pay its share." (26)

In August of 1893 Lake Charles was described as " an embryo city" of sawmills, shingle factories, rice mills, ice factories, railroads, streetcars, electric lights, water works and a refinery. The streets were described as "wide enough and well laid out. (27) A new spirit permeated the meetings of the youthful council, evidenced by a fight, which took place over one issue, after which Mayor Crowley imposed a $1.50 fine "on those fighting from that day forth." (28)

Among the city’s most apparent problems by 1894 was a proper numbering and naming of streets in the more thickly inhabited areas, which, the Echo suggested, could be solved by dividing the city into blocks, each block containing fifty to one hundred numbers. In past years, if the streets and houses had been named and numbered by the city council, Lake Charles could have had free mail delivery. (29) A second problem was the plague of "riotous saloon districts." Those on "Battle Row" (the South side of Railroad Avenue east of Kirkman Street) were described as having an "unenviable notoriety." In the late seventies and eighties, these places of entertainment were filled with a "motley crowd, waiting for someone to stand treat" at all hours of the day or night. (30) This riotous activity was brought to the attention of the council in August 1894, by a group of citizens who complained against the disreputable houses and asked for additional police protection. (31) Earlier a group had petitioned the council to take action on liquor violations and to prohibit saloons in residential areas. (32)

The council also was faced with a fire protection problem. Prior to 1893 adequate fire protection was minimal. In the late seventies and throughout the eighties, the town was dependent upon volunteer fire companies; limited to the use of one one-thousand gallon tank and a thousand-foot hose. Maude Reid recalls that although these early companies were vigorous, they were quite inadequate, and only the stores on Ryan Street had sufficient adequate protection. (33) In early April, the six volunteer fire companies organized into a more unified effort for fire protection. (34) By 1894 they had a system of water works with both stand pipe and the Holly system of direct pressure with mains extending all over the city; a large number of hydrants or water plugs; a steamer costing some $2,000 to $3,000; four "nearly new" hose carts, and a thousand feet of four-inch hose, officered by four well-organized fire companies composed of the "best and most athletic young men for the city." (35) A spirited yet quite election was held in 1894. After a mass meeting at the court house in May nominated candidates for mayor, the local press predicted that Crowley would be nominated to succeed himself, since he had discharged his duties honestly and had made every effort to provide the citizens with an administration of which they could be proud. (36) The proposed ticket, headed by Crowley and including C. P. Hampton, Arad Thompson, L. Kaufman, Richard Green, and W. N. Elliot, was considered unsuitable by the mass meeting and a committee was named to prepare amore favorable one. Crowley remained as head, with T. E. George, John Sweeney, and Henry Sumerall replacing Kaufman, Green, and Elliot. This ticket was nominated unanimously by a local committee, and a resolution was passed endorsing the nominees, and the city council for their able management of the city government during the previous year. (37)

Crowley’s major opponent, John Poe, who headed a ticket including H. B. Milligan and H.R. Green, withdrew his name and threw his support to Crowley, (38) who was elected unopposed by a vote of 758. (39) With an entire new council, the Echo expressed a hope to "see something done in regard to a revised charter" - which did, in fact, become the major issue the following year. (40)

In March 1894, the Lake Charles city council proposed a new charter, one that called for combining the offices of clerk, assessor, tax collector, and auditor in the office of an assessor collector and a secretary-treasurer. The functions of City Commissioner and City Engineer were consolidated, and all offices were made elective except that of City Physician and City Attorney, which remained appointive. Lake Charles was divided into four wards, each with two representatives. One councilman was to be elected for four years and the other for two years.

The plan aroused much opposition, especially form the Echo, which pointed out that nine out of ten cities in the United States had aldermanic terms of one to two years and that the four-year "long term" was too long for a "young and growing city which needed frequent changes in leadership. (41) The Echo, noting that Lake Charles was making afresh start with renewed vigor toward progressive municipal stability, commented that "much depends upon the selection of men who will control our destiny for the ensuing two years." (42)

The period between the election of the council in June and the September 4 charter election was fraught with anticipation and all action of the council were held pending the future powers to be granted if the charter was passed. (43) Biding its time and refraining from making certain intended improvements, the council, nevertheless, accomplished much. It provided for construction of a city jail and a public market; it carried out street improvements and passed an ordinance preventing stock from running at large; and it revised several ordinances and repealed others, which were obsolete. (44)

The Commercial and the Echo supported the adoption of the amendments and believed that every progressive and enterprising citizen’ should do the same. The Commercial stated that the old charter made the city fathers powerless to enact and carry out laws suitable for the advancement of the "growing and prosperous city." Once "full working power" was granted to the council, it would be more progressive, and if the charter amendments were rejected, the city would continue to "peg along" as it has in previous years. (45)

The city showed little interest in the charter election; although it made Lake Charles a city, only 221 votes were polled (by a three-to-one majority) in a very quiet and calm election. (46) The council lost no time in implementing its newly vested powers. By late 1894, sidewalks were improved and unified effort was taking form toward better city planning. (47) Prior to the1893 election of Crowley, the council had been composed of prominent older citizens. In the election of 1895, a vigorous Young Men’s Progressive League of Lake Charles nominated a ticket for every position except mayor. (48) But with the institution of the ward system, the unified ticket suffered and each ward showed a preference for choosing its own aldermanic candidates. (49) Although he lived in New Orleans, A. L. Reid announced himself as a candidate for mayor. The Commercial suggested that if he did return and run he would be overwhelmingly defeated. Incumbent Crowley announced his candidacy on the same day and was praised as "the best mayor the city ever had" and as "a hard man to defeat." (50) He defeated Reid, his only opponent, by 489 votes, capturing a comfortable majority of the 1,123 vote cast. (51)

The Lake Charles council made many improvements in 1895. At the meeting of March 28, the council granted a franchise to the Lake Charles Electric Railway Company, of which Crowley was a major stockholder. (52) By October it was predicted that within a short time uniform brick pavement would be laid on both sides of Ryan Street, stretching from South Court to Lawrence Streets. (53) The Board of Trade, which had taken an interest in the sidewalk problem, also proposed improvements of new roads. The Commercial, commenting that the sidewalks on Railroad Avenue "are in a horrible condition and absolutely dangerous," proposed that the council take action or be threatened with libel suits. (54) The council in August passed a Sanitary Ordinance, and improvements in the Police department also began to take form. (55)

In March 1895, a group of clergymen organized a Preachers’ Union, designed to direct Lake Charles along moral lines. The Preachers’ Union also took part in political activity, at one meeting appealing to citizens to "vote as you pray."(56) Another reform group was the Loyal Temperance League headed by Birdie Haupt, who helped to revive the temperance movement, which had begun to lag in the late 1880’s. The Democratic Party also began intensifying its activity, and in the early 1890’s Lake Charles received a flag from the National Democratic Party as a symbol of its fidelity. (57) In 1895, S.A. Knapp considered Lake Charles "a city that has the situation and possesses the energy and intelligence to ….. become the Chicago of the Gulf." Another writer commented that "a magnificent young city covering six square miles has emerged from the little hamlet; a lusty young giant has come out of the wilderness." (58)

The major political issue of the decade in Lake Charles occurred early in 1895. Although the railroad was significant to the prosperity of the city, waterways occupied the time and attention of the area leaders, particularly the improvement of Calcasieu Pass. (59) A vital issue arose when the federal Rivers and Harbors Bill of 1896, which granted funds to Calcasieu Pass for the purpose of improvements, was vetoed by President Cleveland. When Senator Donaldson Caffery upheld and appropriation of $1,173,000 for the improvements of Bayou Plaquemine, the $315,000 necessary for continuing the Calcasieu River project was stricken form the appropriation, as only one federal appropriation was granted each state. It was generally know that Caffery favored the appropriation for Bayou Plaquemine while Senator H. C. Blanchard favored it for Calcasieu Pass. (60) The Lake Charles citizenry was outraged by this action. The American felt that the opening of Calcasieu Pass would benefit millions of people, while the "Plaquemine ditch" would benefit thousands. "The Plaquemine ditch is as a very small molehill to a large mountain," continued the American, adding that self-interest had clouded Caffery’s judgment. Caffery denied this, claiming that his decision had been based entirely on the reports of the Corps of Engineers. (61)

The Board of Trade took immediate action by corresponding with both Caffery and Blanchard. A letter prepared by A.P. Pujo, later Congressman, was sent to the Senate Committee in April, asking it to place Calcasieu Pass back on the continuous appropriation system. On April 27, in a wire to Pujo, Congressman Andrew Price said that the Senate Committee had decided to leave Calcasieu on the continuing contract system. (62) In the fall of 1896, during the free silver campaign, Senator Caffery spoke in Lake Charles (63) and provoked a "sort of riot." At a subsequent rally in Franklin in November, Caffery made a brief reference to the Lake Charles incident, claiming that the riotous attitude was more of a "disgrace to the state and to Calcasieu" than to, himself. In defending his action, Caffery proposed that he would have secured both improvements under the system, and that he had told the committee and businessmen of Lake Charles that if one contract was allotted Louisiana, he would support Plaquemine. (64) In a later interview in October, Caffery admitted that the Plaquemine plan would cost four or five times as much as Calcasieu. The American then suggested that it would also benefit the people of several parishes, including St. Mary, "Where Mr. Caffery resides and where his interests lie. (65)

The rally at Franklin adopted a resolution condemning the "lawless mob composed of some citizens of that town [Lake Charles]….whose ruffianly (ruffian) conduct was not only an uncalled for attempt to violently deprive our distinguished Senator of the right to express his convictions to the public in the great issues which now confront us, but was also a disgrace to the parish of Calcasieu. (66)

A primary election on June 10, 1896, between the "16 to 1" Ticket and the Silver Democratic Ticket, resulted in a small majority for the latter. (67) The silver question was quite an issue in Lake Charles. At one mass meeting, the crowd consisted of over a hundred, with a number of Republicans present. (68) In the presidential election primary, Lake Charles cast 613 votes for Bryan, and 358 for McKinley, with only thirteen going for Palmer. In the Congressional race, the Democrats also won. Although only recently established, the Republican organization showed a strength of 413 votes cast for the Republican candidate. (69)

By mid-1897, Lake Charles was growing rapidly. A new lumber mill was established and the old Ryan-Richard Mill was rebuilt. Lake Charles had three railroads and many newly built residences and stores. With its great number of natural resources, it was predicted to "soon be the greatest city in Louisiana outside New Orleans." (70) Civic organizations had functioned all during the period and had done much to beautify the city and attract industry to the area. (71) The lumber industry flourished. Statistics for 1895 indicated a total annual production of 140,000,000 board feet of lumber produced by nine mills in the vicinity with a combined employment of 1,300 workers, receiving approximately $540,000. (72) Labor presented no real problem to the mill operators, as Lake Charles had become a "mecca" for northern immigration in the late 1890’s. However, the majority of the workers, both white and Negro, were recruited from the local inhabitants for the most part. By the close of the century, ten mills were in operation and the demands for southern yellow pine increased phenomenally.(73) But the greatest era in the development of the lumber industry was yet to come in the early part of the twentieth century. (74)

An important issue of 1897, which plagued the council, was civic improvements. Alderman Crosby described the sidewalks as "a deathtrap, a disgrace to the city, and a positive nuisance. (75) Not only were the sidewalks in disgraceful shape, but Lake Charles was almost void of any type of paving. By December of 1898, Ryan Street had a new coat of shell, purchased by the city from the Barbe Shell Bank on the lake, to reinforce the old shell, which had proved inadequate to support the increasing traffic. (76)

The 1897 campaign was marked by the interest in the charter question. Earlier that year "mass" meetings had been held to consider the charter, but the gatherings had not been characterized by "great massings" of people. (77) In May it was predicted that the city administration’s financial affairs had been hindered by the charter regarding its legality. Most local attorneys had united in stating that the incorporation of Lake Charles was illegal and that the charter would probably fail when brought to a legal test. Although the bar was in agreement on the illegality, they disagreed as to what constituted the best policy. A majority felt that a stay in proceedings would aid in solving the controversy. The American felt that this objective was not feasible and proposed a mass meeting that would organize to decide the issue by a "competent authority." (78)

The council election of 1897 was held in the heat of the charter controversy. The Commercial commented that the election was not a fight between parties but that it was

"a fight of the people in general, for good and competent officers to place in charge

of the city’s affairs. Let the voters of each ward elect a good progressive and responsible

man as alderman, and the city in general elect the most worthy aspirant among the candidates…..What Lake Charles mostly needs at this day is a progressive and influential set of city officials, whose sole aim will be for the up building and advancement of our city…In the selection of city officials is no proper time to award friends or punish

enemies, the interests of Lake Charles are at stake, and all depends upon whom you place in charge of the reins of our future progress; so lay aside all prejudices and vote for the most enterprising and wide awake candidate on election day." (79)

All candidates, especially those supported by Pat Crowley, were careful not to refer to the charter. The financial status of the council was disastrous; however, this was not pointed out by the newspapers until several weeks after the election. In the primary held on April 6, Mayor Crowley received 427 votes to Thomas Kleinpeter’s 316. George Ryan and W. A. Kirkwood in Ward One had no competition. The only competition was in Ward Four where E. J. Crosby was defeated by Francis Chavanne by one vote. (80)

At the June 7 meeting of the council, Chairman Lyons of the finance committee reported that the city banks had positively refused to loan money to run the town until the fall. The reason given was the uncertainty relating to the illegality of the charter. After debating the issue, a committee consisting of mayor Crowley and Aldermen McCain and Kirkwood was appointed to confer with representative citizens of the Board of Trade and Commercial Club "to see if something could be done to abridge the crisis." By this time, the monthly expenses of the council averaged about $1,000 and the Treasury indicated an absolute voidness of funds until the fall tax money was collected. (81)

The period between June of 1897 and March of 1899 was characterized by confusion, distrust, and general chaos on the part of the council. In November 1898, a committee of twenty-five headed by H. C. Drew was formed to revise the 1867 charter. After nineteen sessions of the general committee and a total of sixty-five meetings of subcommittees. The charter was completed on March 7, 1899. (82) The charter committee presented an extensive report concluding:

"After full and free exchange of sentiment and a very careful and extended study of all matter referred to us, we are pleased to be able to report unanimously and

recommend the purchase of said Light and Waterworks plant, at the price specified to wit: $85,000.000 on such terms and conditions as may hereafter be agreed upon by

Commenting on the new charter, the Lake Charles press stated that the city had undergone an interregnum period to which Pat Crowley had been relieved of his mayor’s duties and James P. Geary had brought the city out of the experiment of village government into a period of improvement with a "splendid city charter" which provided for the "power of improvement" being vested in the proper hands. The interregnum council was described as one which had kept he town from taking a backward step towards new improvements.(85) With the new charter secure, the election was characterized by great enthusiasm for the future, in spite of a light vote because most of the voters had neglected to register. Out of the 515 votes cast, James P. Geary carried three of the four wards with a majority of 157, losing Ward One to Crowley by one vote. (86)

The American had not supported any candidate, but in evaluating the primary, one writer commented: "Mr. Geary is large enough - physically, mentally and in every other way - to fill the mayor’s seat in a city many times the size of Lake Charles. The year just past has fully demonstrated his capacity and his anxiety to improve the city and give it the best and most economical government possible. The people trust him and look for good government and a careful administration of the city’s affairs, and the American feels certain that they will not be disappointed." The newly elected council of the "new Lake Charles" was predicted to conduct a very business-like administration. (87)

The last quarter of the nineteenth century brought immense progress to Lake Charles. Cattle raising multiplied, crops increased, rice was developed on a huge commercial scale, lumbering thrived, schooner trade was lively, roads were improved, oil was discovered, sulfur was mined, and Lake Charles had finally become a city of note. (88) The area described in the 1860’s as "an insignificant village, upon the bank of a pleasant, clear lakelet, several miles in extent" had become a vital, small industrial city, but still in need of many improvements. E.F. Gayle, arriving in Lake Charles in the summer of 1898, described it as a "muddy little village" with privately built boarded sidewalks and boggy little streets. (89) Maude Reid, a resident at the time, recalls the boggy streets when not one day went by but that local businessmen would have to vacate their stores to aid a neighbor in pulling his wagon out of the bog. (90)

Seaman A. Knapp, writing at the end of the century, described Lake Charles as "the metropolis of Southwestern Louisiana….destined to be the great central city between New Orleans and Houston…." He believed the city on the lake had the "best location in the South" for the manufacture of furniture, wagons, chairs, agriculture implements, cotton and woolen goods, form products with special advantages for investments, and a winter resort for northern visitors. Knapp concluded that Lake Charles was "essentially a northern city, wide-awake, progressive and modern."(91)

The decade of the nineties was climaxed in Lake Charles by a tragedy on August 2,1899, when a fire swept through the west side of Ryan Street, causing a loss of $50,000. (92) After this catastrophe the city council established a fire limits ordinance, preventing the erection of certain types of buildings within the business district. (93) Not only did 1899 represent the end of the century and the institution of anew charter. It was, as well, the end of a pioneering era, marked by the death on December 18 1899, of Jacob Ryan, the "Father of Lake Charles." (95) (94 is missing)

CHAPTER III

THE DECLINE OF ALDERMANIC POLITICS

1900-1909

The period 1900 to 1909 brought Lake Charles to a realization that the aldermanic system of government could not deal with the problems of an expanding city. The reins of municipal government were held by more capable administrators than those of the previous decade, but the council became more inefficient in its actions. This decade saw many basic improvements in problem areas, which had plagued the city since the1870’s, yet these improvements were not enough. Municipal politics became very competitive; on several occasions, campaigns went into second primary elections, and in one case into a general election. The council failed to satisfy the basic needs of Lake Charles, and it efforts did not keep up with the demands of the rapidly expanding economy. In short, it was a decade of great activity which ended in temporary defeat in April of 1910, when a fire destroyed the better part of the business district.

The prevailing attitude of the citizens of Lake Charles in 1900 is shown in the following statement. "The people in Lake Charles are wide enough awake and are enthusiastic enough for their town; but their efforts are too much scattered and need to be centralized…." (1) During this year, the local press called for an organization of the workers of Lake Charles into an active association, which was later to become the Lake Charles Chamber of Commerce. (2)

Interest in municipal affairs was strong in 1901. The American noted that the spectators in the galleries of the city council showed a "wonderful increase in attendance, among them being several members of the police jury, doubtless after pointers in the way of expediting business." (3) In 1903, an organization called the Civic League made its appearance and presented two signed petitions to the city council proposing a Board of Public Works of seven members and the suspension of the franchise tax for the period of five years. (4)

The assimilation of northerners had greatly influenced the culture of Lake Charles by 1903, and in an editorial in the Lake Charles Daily American entitled, " The New Reconstruction," one journalist described the effect that this assimilation had wrought:

"Although we are thirty years away from that trying period, the "dark era of reconstruction" continues to be a favorite text in this campaign as in the past…. There has

been, however, another era of reconstruction in Louisiana, and not a dark one. It began in southwest Louisiana when J. B. Watkins and his associates came down into an impoverished country, began to turn the barren stock ranges into pleasant farms and spent millions to attract other men of means and to exploit the country’s untold resources; when

Father Carey discovered Hennings and upland irrigation of Rice and when Pennoyer, Bradley, Mason and other lumbermen began to turn its forests into gold that was the life current of the community…. The Illinois Central brought the new kind of carpet baggers - those that brought money in the carpet bags - into the state to create the Tangipahoa truck farming industry; and when northern capitalists came…to create new manufacturing industries and expand the older ones… The people from the north here now are not the despoilers and invaders, but the builders and helpers of an adopted state."(5)

A. S. Ferguson has said that 1903 was probably the greatest year of industrial progress made in Lake Charles. (6) The increased bank receipts shown by the annual report of the Lake Charles Board of Trade of that year indicated the notable growth of Lake Charles. Henry Milligan, president of the Board of Trade, praised the city for voting a special tax for the erection of a city hall and also indicated the growth of the city by the following investments for 1903: public buildings and brick business blocks, $213,000; homes and dwellings, $171,805; general additions and improvements, $50,000; employment, 1,275, with a payroll of $618,000. (7)

"The city is amply provided with water and light, and possesses as fine a plant as can be found anywhere. Two million gallons a day fully supplies the city’s needs and leaves a little over. This is artesian water of the best quality. In case of a fire she has plenty to draw on and besides, has both lakes and river if needed. Nearly 80 double gate hydrants are tented for fire protection, and taken all in all, it is doubtful if any city in the South is better provided. In the matter of light she is equally as well supplied, as the plant is equipped to furnish five times the population. The same plant keeps the people supplied with ice, turning out over 60 tons daily, and if that is not enough there is another company willing to supply the deficiency." (10)

By mid-1907 Lake Charles had a city assessment of $3,532,000; eight miles of street railway, five railroads, nine sawmills with a capacity of one million feet daily and employing 1,500 men; three rice mills; and five miles of navigable waters connecting with the lake. (11) A young Negro educator Ralph Reynaud, who had arrived the previous year, viewed the city as a great lumber industrial complex whose people were centered around the "economic aspects of the City". (12) The two-year period between 1908 and 1909 was characterized by economic slump, which was caused by many conditions. Among these were the partial failure of crops, the exorbitant Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act, the drop in the licenses formerly received from the liquor interests, the panic of 1907, and a high tariff on lumber. (13) One historian feels that although these other factors were significant, the panic was undoubtedly the greatest factor in this sag in the economy. Another suggested that prohibition in Lake Charles was responsible. (14) The depression reached its lowest ebb in the latter part of 1909 when a large number of houses were vacant and put up for sale. Many of the inhabitants moved away in this period. (15) At the beginning of this decade, Lake Charles was the fifth largest city in the state with a population of 6, 680; by 1909, the population had more than doubled to 13,949. (16)

By the end of the year 1909, it was suggested that "Lake Charles had just reached the turn of the tide after a year of depressed business…. The street car service has been kept up to their usual high standards; while papers in the other towns have been complaining of poor light and water service, Lake Charles has been served as capably as ever, and all the companies enterprises have been kept at the top notch of efficiency." (17)

In 1900, Lake Charles’ sewerage system consisted of the lake. Sidewalks were privately built, and usually wooden; streets needed improvement badly. Drainage facilities were poor; fire equipment was outdated. The hope that a new charter would be capable of providing the power to make the necessary improvements in public facilities proved to be unduly optimistic.

In the first council meeting in 1903, Mayor Poe gave his annual message describing the progress Lake Charles had made in 1902. The address was evaluated by a local journalist as follows:

"He laid particular stress on the great number of modern brick buildings erected since the passage of the fire ordinance, and spoke of its great value to the city. A special paragraph was devoted to the Carnegie Library, work on which is rapidly progressing . Reference was made also to the tax levied for the purpose of building the city hall, which will stand a monument to the administration. "Quite an amount of space was devoted to a comment on the sewerage and drainage of the city. The reference to the schools and existing adusation conditions was very complete and complementary. In conclusion, Mr. Poe recommended that the council take under consideration the subject of a paid fire department, which has become an undeniable necessity."(18)

The first improvement project to be presented before the council was the paving of Ryan Street. Plans were made to pave this main thoroughfare with vitrified brick or asphalt. In 1902, the city council voted to approve a special tax to improve streets. Alderman Lewis introduced an ordinance to amend Section 22 of the 1899 Charter enabling the council to improve streets by a special tax on property. The purpose of the tax was to make street paving in Lake Charles a possibility "in the near future." (19) But in 1904, a bond issue for the purpose of raising money for paving was defeated in a city election. (20) In 1905, after asphalt had been decided upon and the contract let, the people behind the movement to pave Ryan Street withdrew their support in favor of shelling, which proved to be unsatisfactory to the demands of traffic. (21)

In 1906, the American stated that talk of paving had started before the opening of the century but that the bricks were very slow in going down. (22) It stated that the mud on Ryan Street was so deep that a temporary crossing laid down sank out of sight within a very short time. (23) Street crossings work was completed early in 1907, and street paving from Python Coulee to the south line of Division Street was finished shortly afterward; at this time three streets in the city were paved - Ryan, Pujo, and Broad Streets. (24)

By August 1902, Lake Charles was in good financial condition again and was ready to solve her deplorable sewerage problem. The local press had campaigned for new sewerage improvements, and ninety petitions had reached the council. (25) The issue had overwhelming support of both the citizenry and the council. So confident was the local press that the sewerage issue would pass that it did not publish any petitions prior to the council meeting on September 16, 1902, when such petitions were formally presented. (26)

No action on the sewerage problem had been taken by January 1904, and the American warned that further postponement of this issue would set a precedent for the postponement of all further improvement. (27) The city Engineer, Frank Shutts, was called upon to make a survey of the drainage and sewerage problems. (28) The Council ordered all private sewers leading to the lake to be closed, but later this was reconsidered and the council repealed the ordinance. Another group of property owners who had made original complaints objected, and the council sidestepped the issue at every opportunity during 1904. (29)

Then in city and parish election held in November of 1904 concerning amendment 15 of the Louisiana constitution, which would legalize formation of such a sewerage district within the city limits of a municipal corporation, Lake Charles failed to vote in favor of the amendment. The local press was surprised, saying that such an amendment should have been "understood and appreciated". Of the 154 votes cast against the amendment, fifty came from the voting precinct in which the sewerage district would probably have been erected. This, said the American, showed "with what fondness some people cling to the idea that Lake Charles can keep on dumping sewerage into the lake." (30)

Not until its first meeting in 1906 did the city council make a definite commitment to the building of a sewerage system. Sewerage district boundaries were proposed as follows:

"Beginning at the corner of Reid Street and the Southern Pacific right of way running west to Orange Street; south on Orange to the lake bank; southerly along the lake bank to the Python Coulee; east to Ryan Street; south on Ryan Street to Miller Avenue; east on Miller Avenue to Common street; north on Common to Cleveland Street; east on Cleveland to Bank Street; west on Pine to Reid Street; north on Reid to point of commencement. The district would embrace the 2^nd and 3^rd wards and portions of the 4^th ward." (31)

But no other action was taken, and in the latter part of the year, J. A. Landry proposed organizing a privately owned Lake Charles Sewerage Company, which would install a first class sewerage system capable of supplying 50,000 people with a projected capacity of double that amount. (32) A local journalist felt that Landry’s proposition "puts the sewerage question directly upon the property-owners of the more compactly built portion of Lake Charles." (33)

In January 1909, the council finally had to begin the actual improvement of sanitary conditions due to the low ratings of the State Inspector. (34) However, even this action proved inadequate, and the problem was finally brought before the people in a mass meeting resulting in a plan to spend $100,000 to $200,000 for sewerage which was carried out a year later under a bond issue of $160,000. (35)

In 1903, the new city hall was built on the south side of Division Street, and a new city prison was also constructed. (36)

Because of the inability of the council to solve the sidewalk problem, the property owners on Broad Street had constructed private sidewalks between Common and Ford Streets. (37) In1904, the council passed an ordinance providing that pavements and walks would be constructed at the cost to the owner, who would be given five years to pay for the improvements on an annual installment basis. (38) In the latter part of 1907 contracts were let for the construction of a total of sixteen miles of sidewalks. (39)

Dark streets received attention when seventy-five of the 800 candle-power streetlights were changed to 1600 candle-power lights. In 1906, the council also voted to contribute $1,500 to the improvement of Lakeshore Drive. (40)

The drainage problem was not really settled during the period. A six-inch rain in the later part of 1906 caused the city fathers added trouble, for the city was under water from Kirby Street eastward and from Common Street northward so deep that streetcars could not run. (41) Charles Prater offered to contribute $50,000 for the improvement of drainage. Later J. A. Landry proposed to give a drainage system to the city, but his offer was rejected because of bitterness which had arisen between the Board of Trade and the City Council. (42) The subsequent year the problem was intensified by another flood described as the worst since 1886. The water lapped the stringers on the Southern Pacific Bridge, caused the saw-mills to shut down, and cut off streetcar service entirely. Practically the entire southern part of the town was under water. (43)

The local insurance companies had reduced Lake Charles form second to third-class rating because of the inadequate fire protection. The rate was raised at least twenty-five percent on all property, and in some cases rates were even higher. (44) This problem was alleviated in 1904 when $12,500 was appropriated to purchase fire wagons and hoses, to install a fire alarm system, and to build a new fire station. (45) It was at this point that the volunteer fire companies no longer satisfied the citizens, because they could not depend on the old system to minimize insurance rates. In the latter part of 1904, added protection was given by the installation of nineteen new hydrants. (46) A tax of $400 yearly for buying fire equipment was passed. (47)

In 1901, local law enforcement was probably mostly concerned with keeping the peace. One of the more light-hearted issues was the application of a "move-on" ordinance. The city’s main streets were plagued with many loafers, and, as the American commented, their ranks were composed of a number of "worthless Negroes" and a few whites who blocked sidewalks and caused a general nuisance. (48) This state of tranquility was not to last long, however, for the influence of Theodore Roosevelt was evident in the zeal of the reformers of that time. In January 1903, a group of ministers appeared before the council, asking it to abolish "houses of assignation" whose growth had been phenomenal during this period in the questionable districts of the city. Many of these houses were visited by prominent men of the city, and appointments were being made by various men and women of the city who did not follow the occupation for gain. There were many who felt that the houses should not be bothered, for several of the women who ran these establishments were mulattoes and knew too much about their prominent clientele to be "harshly disturbed." (49) The council agreed with the ministers that the houses should be abolished and drew up a resolution to that effect. But when the vote was taken, everyone was very much surprised to see that the resolution was voted down overwhelmingly. Early in 1903, the Welch Journal commented that, although gambling was closed in that city, one could go to Lake Charles and "gamble to his heart’s content."(50)

Later in the same year, an effort was made to abolish gambling. Because of pressure on the part of this group and others, the council passed an anti-gambling ordinance and provided that saloons should remain closed on Sundays. During the next few weeks, many saloons were fined for violation of the ordinance, which was generally disregarded, as was the usual practice toward legislation. Practically nothing was done in regard to gambling, and a month later Mayor Winterhaler decided that the ordinance was illegal, and it was stricken from the records. (51) The ministers renewed their attack, and the council was forced to raise the saloon license to $1,000. (52) During October 1903, ninety-two arrests were made - thirty-two for disorderly conduct, twenty-three for fighting, and thirteen for drunkenness. (53) During November, 102 were made. (54) The saloons, however, continued to increase in popularity, and twenty-five liquor licenses were given out in one day in late December.

Efforts were made in 1904 to lower the $1,000 liquor fee, but through the efforts of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, combined with those property owners who did not desire to increase their taxes, the fee remained at $1,000. (55) In1906 the new restriction that liquor licenses be limited to more orderly saloons was not seriously enforced, and the council continued to receive illegal funds from the saloons. (56)

In 1904, the council was also petitioned to adopt some means for better police protection in the city. At that time, Lake Charles was "infested with all sorts of dangerous characters, from the amateur who snatches a few nickels and dimes to the professional safe blower and the incendiary who would not hesitate to add murder to his crimes." (57) According to Judge Murray Anderson, present city judge, Ward Three has always had a police problem, which exists to the present day. (58)

In July 1905, the council passed an anti-gambling law which abolished all types of gambling and which was advocated by Chief of Police Sparks. (59) Religious interests of the city began putting pressure on the Mayor to take a strong stand against gambling which had already been successfully driven out of Monroe, Shreveport, Alexandria, Baton Rouge, and New Iberia; they also called for action on the part of the council. (60) The movement to eliminate gamblers gained strength during the early part of 1909; the organization known as the Good Government League assisted in rounding up gamblers in the city. (61) The city council took a stand on gambling on January 19, when Alderman E. H. Chavanne introduced a resolution to the effect that plain-clothed detectives would be more effective in rooting out the gambling houses in the business district. Alderman John Poe opposed the resolution, stating that the police force was fully capable of dealing with the situation. (62) By late 1909 gambling had been suppressed to some extent.

The prohibition law went into effect late December, 1908, but records indicate that the liquor traffic had not decreased to an appreciable degree. (63) The Mayor issued a proclamation in 1908 calling for the cleaning up of the city. To curb the crime rate, it was decided that the curfew must be enforced. As the people became more active in their demands, the council announced that the citizenry was always kicking about something. (64) "Blind Tigers" were numerous in Lake Charles; in one case Sheriff Reid arrested a Japanese named George Murata who had illegally selling spirits. A search revealed fifty-four quarts of whiskey and vermouth, indicating that the proprietor was well stocked and had a "flourishing trade." (65) The main flow of liquor was suggested to originate in the cities of Lafayette, Alexandria, Beaumont, and other "haunts of the unregenerate." (66)

Political activity in municipal politics increased during this period and climax when the Democratic Party divided and a general election was called to settle the dispute. Through the efforts of Congressman A.P. Pujo, Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish became significant in state and national politics, among his accomplishments was the establishment of a federal court in Lake Charles. (67) Despite the vigorous activity of the Republicans, the Democrats retained supremacy. (68)

The council election of 1901 was quite spirited. One candidate who was in contention for the Mayor’s post was disqualified for the election on the grounds that he did not meet the provisions of Sections 7 and 10 of the charter. (69) Three men contested for the mayor’s post, resulting in the following returns: Poe, 356; Fournet, 201; and Geary, 196. The election was termed fair and had been conducted with "due dignity." Leaving little traces of bitterness or ill feeling. (70)

Mayor Geary had been unable to finish his term, and John Poe served from October 4 to October 19, 1900. The term was finished by Judge G.A. Fournet. The local press evaluated retiring Mayor Fournet’s administration as follows:

Taking the reins of office for a brief interregnum and with the city treasury in a state of collapse he has made many improvements, made streets out of Venetian Canals, and contributed much to the comfort and convenience of the citizens by his wise and economical expenditures of public funds. Peace and order have reigned throughout the city during his administration, and where it has been necessary for him to represent the public he has acquitted himself with dignity and grace. (71)

After much investigation by local newspapers, which insisted that Imperial Calcasieu be properly represented in the United States Congress, two prominent Lake Charles citizens, A. P. Pujo, and H.C. Drew, entered the congressional race. (72) Drew later dropped out of the race in favor of Pujo, and Pujo carried the Democratic primary in the district as well as Lake Charles, defeating all opponents by an overwhelming majority. (73)

The municipal election in 1903 was not published to a great degree. Main interest centered around the candidacy of L.C. Dees, who, to the surprise of all old politicians, was defeated by only twenty-nine votes. Winterhaler carried all wards except Ward 3, polling 258 votes. (74) Out of the 550 registered voters in the city, 500 voted in this campaign. The aldermanic contest showed an unusual amount of "single shooting."(75)

In 1904 a new city, Democratic Committee was organized with Judge G. A. Fournet as its chairman. At an organizational meeting, a motion was adopted declaring that the Democrats of Lake Charles had the right to organize municipal primaries and nominate a city ticket. It was also resolved that primaries could be called in any ward to name executive committeemen or endorse candidates for parish school board, upon application of ten Democratic voters of the ward. (76)

In the congressional election held in November, A.P. Pujo carried Lake Charles and Calcasieu by a firm majority. In the presidential primary, Roosevelt was rejected by a very light vote. Reports from the voting precincts indicated that Parker got forty-six votes to Roosevelt’s sixteen, eleven voted were cast for Eugene V. Debs, and Debs defeated Roosevelt in the Third Precinct. (77)

In early December 1904, the Jennings Progress suggested that the Civic League had gang-like control over city hall. In rebuttal the Daily American stated that Lake Charles had no "gangs" and that all Lake Charles desired was "sidewalks, paved streets, sewerage, electric cars, abolition of the cow nuisance, lake front drive, electric light and other ornamental plants, good school buildings and other comforts of existence."(78) In the same rebuttal the American described what had been accomplished by all previous mayors up to that time, emphasizing what the Lake Charles citizenry had preferred in municipal officers:

The first improvement administration was that in which Jacob Ryan shaked the court house away from ancient Marion and set Lake Charles up in business, and they have succeeded each other with unvarying regularity. The heart of every city administration had been "true to Poll." Every city father has been willing to sacrifice his wife’s relations, the Ice, Light and Water Company or any old thing in order to obtain public improvements. Only, somehow, we always failed to get them. (79)

The municipal campaign of 1905 was most exciting. The first candidate for mayor, D.R. Swift, was the head of a Civic League Ticket; however, he refused to run because of business commitments. Ward Four was the first section to organize a caucus, nominating C. B. Richard and E.S. Crosby to succeed themselves. Fifty-five voters participated in the caucus called by W.E. Cline, and John Shattuck and A.D. Harlan were selected by a Civic League Meeting. In the same meeting Richard and Crosby got the majority of the votes and ran on a platform from Ward Four calling for increased interest in public schools, support for the special school tax, wide economic use of public funds, and electric lights system, and better sidewalks. (80) One of the most prominent men in Lake Charles and a resident since 1879, Leopold Kaufman, was asked to replace Swift as candidate for Mayor. The American felt that he was an ideal choice who would encourage new enterprise and improvements. On March 8, Kaufman declined to accept the nomination on the grounds of business commitments. (81) William Patterson, a local businessman, announced that he would be a candidate for Mayor, running on a progressive platform. Before the election, the council made several progressive moves, which tended to aid the incumbent candidate. There was a proposal for construction of a new lighting plant, which would cost $68,000. (82) Mayor Winterhaler defeated his opponent by a narrow margin of fourteen votes. Patterson showed definite strength in Wards Three and Four, while Winterhaler carried the other two boxes by a notable majority. (83) The new council contained five if nine members of the old one. The American predicted that the council would continue its previous policy.

The election of 1907 was one of the most interesting ones in the history of Lake Charles. An open charge was made that the Democratic nomination committee was under the power of J. A. Landry and his corporation. (84) This was followed by an attack on Mayor Winterhaler, who was criticized as being a weak Mayor partial to the "ring." It was charged that he had consistently refused to do anything for the best interests of the city. The Daily Press urged S.H. Clement, who had entered his mane as a candidate, to withdraw in order that a stronger candidate could run and therefore have a better chance of defeating Winterhaler. (85) The suggestion was acted upon, and W.E. Patterson entered the race, only to be later thrown out on a technicality, leaving only two candidates in contention, Winterhaler and S. H. Clement. A protest was raised regarding the exclusion of Paterson from the race, and a group of citizens at a mass meeting under the leadership of J.E. Cline and A. R. Mitchell declared themselves in favor of an independent ticket. (86)

With a Democratic primary impending for February 4, the independents were denounced by the regular Democratic committee and the local press. (87) In the primary a heavy vote was cast, with Winterhaler wining by a 200-vote majority. (88) The general election was very spirited and was one of the most active mud-slinging campaigns in the history of Lake Charles. The Independents were denounced as "J. Iscariots" and the Daily Press pointed out the impossibility of their election. In the primary, out of 650 registered voters, 386 cast ballots, and there were indications that seventy-five more Democrats would register before the general election. (89) The Council called the general election, after much debate, for April 16. (90) The campaign opened in the earlier part of April. Both tickets held several rallies, and both proposed progressive improvements for Lake Charles. (91) All candidates proposed better sewerage and improvement of the schools. The Democratic Party took a stand for "responsible government." (92) Bands were provided at Democratic rallies, which tended to be more extravagant, giving evidence of more funds. (93) The Independent group directed its attack against Mayor Winterhaler, accusing him of being a "boss" who ignored the wishes of the people and council. The Democrats rejected this statement and held Winterhaler up as an exemplary public official. (94) On election eve both sides indicated confidence, though their campaign efforts were described as follows:

With both sides claiming victory and every candidate on each ticket confident of success, one of the hardest fought municipal campaigns in the history of Lake Charles draws to a close tonight and tomorrow morning the intelligent voter will go up and vote as he has intended to all along, just the same as if there had been no noisy red fire engines or brass bands. (95)

A.P. Pujo, when asked in an interview his opinion of the municipal campaign, replied: "Reformers and independents represent merely the political whims of the moment. It is a misnomer for persons to designate themselves as ‘independent democrats’ or ‘independent republicans;’ in neither case do they belong to either party. They are inde