The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-23
MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR OF
LOUISIANA.

After referring to the result Of the Presidential
election, the Governor proceeds to notice the va
rious subjects which should come before the Lee
gislature. He calls for the Intervention of the
Legislature to prevent the system of voting out Of
public lands which at present obtains, and sug
gests as means TO that end the adoption of
registry law. He says the condition ofthe banks
in New Orleans is as satisfactory as are the af-
fairs of such Institutions in any other city of the
Union; yet the experiment would be dangerous
were they to resume specie payments simulta-
neousy with the Philadelphia banks; measures
should be taken compelling those banks to go
into liquidation which are deprived ofactive ca
pital; but as there exists probability that Ma
tiona Bank will be established, clemency should
be extended to them with regard to time.
He shows that the finances of the State are
not in a very fourlshing condition, and suggests
that the Legislature be economical in its appro-
priations, as such course will render the dis
agreeable alternative, on his part, unnecessary of
so often using the veto power, which the consti-
tuition has placed in his hands The difficulty
of obtaining from the Sheriff. for the time be-
ing, the moneys Of the State at the proper period,
requires to be remedied. He suggests that
henceforth the term Of sherifi's appointment be
limited 10 one year, and that without receipt
in full from the State treasurer he shall be ineli-
gible for re appointment He also thinks that
the law OIL assessment SnOulu De amenueu, Win
a view Of increasing the revenue Of the State.
He points out the necessity which exists for a
protective duty in favor Of sugar of native growth
Ia measure which would not benefit Louisiana
alone, but every State in the Union. He gives
statement of the location and extent OF the
lands set apart in the State for the support OF
colleges and public schools, and hoped that the
present Legislature would render itself memora-
bic by its Judicious application Of il, for the lite
rary and scientific education Of the rising gene
ration.
He gives succinct statement Of the present
financial position of the Board Of Public Works,
and recommends a revision Of the militia laws
of the State he thinks that if the officers of mi
Iitia were elected for given term, instead of for
life, as at present, that branch Of our defence
would be improvedb by the change it would have
the effect of making the officers more active
than they are under fne present law. The pc
nitentiary, he says has realized all that its orlgi-
nations anticipated The convict labor brings
very considerable property to the State; il is
not, however, in accordance with the spirit OF
our institutions to have negroes and white con-
victs confined in the same prison. he sug
gests that the negro convicts be employed in
New Orleans on the public works. He speaks
in favor of the introduction of the system in
New Orleans of selling dry goods at auction, by
wholesale, as it is done in New York; such a
system would be calculated 10 increase our COM
merce.