His ideas on this subject were in advance of those of many whose business had always been commerce, and they were generally deemed Utopian and extravagant; but his self-reliance was too great to heed any ridicule thrown upon any thought or enterprise of his.  He invested his limited means in property in the second municipality, and lent himself, heart and soul, in connection with Peters, to its development into the proportions his imagination conceived it was ultimately capable of attaining, should the extent of its commerce reach the magnitude he supposed it would.  Immediately upon the amendment of the city charter, creating the municipalities, and making independent the second, Caldwell conceived the idea of lighting the city with gas, and, at the same time, of building a city hall, and the establishment of a system of public schools.

Edward York, a merchant of the city, gave this idea his special attention, and co-operated with Peters and Caldwell in every project for the advancement of the interests of the municipality.  Caldwell set to work in the face of difficulties, which really seemed insurmountable, to effect his scheme of lighting the city with gas.  I was at that time a member of the Legislature.  Caldwell’s scheme was to obtain a charter for a bank, and with this carry into execution rapidly his scheme.  He came to me, and opened up his views.  He wanted my aid so far as assisting him in drafting the charter, and undertaking its passage through the Legislature.  There was no delay, and in a short time the gas-light and banking company was chartered, the stock taken, and the bank in successful operation.  Caldwell, though entirely unacquainted with the practical necessities of constructing the proper works to complete his plan, went energetically to work to acquire this, and did so, and in a few months everything was systematically and economically moving forward to completion.  He alone conceived, planned, and superintended the whole work.  Nor did he abate in energy and perseverance one moment until all was completed.  All this while he was a member of the council, and giving his attention to many other matters of prime importance to the municipality.

Peters, Caldwell, and York may justly be said to have been the fathers of the municipality.  To Edward York is justly due the system of public schools, which is so prominent a feature in the institutions of New Orleans.  These three have passed away, and with them all who co-operated with them in this enterprise, which has effected so much for the city of New Orleans.  They were unselfish public benefactors, and deserve this commemoration.