The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-04
Message or tn. Governor OF Louisiana.

message OF the Governor OF Louisiana
The Governor of Louisiana presented his mes
sage TO the Legislature of that State on the 2lst ul
mo- We copy the following notice Of it from the
New Orleans PicGyune:
This document is worthy of the chief magistrate
OF the State OF Louisiana, and amply sustains the
reputation which Governor Johnson has achieved
for himself during his occupancy Of the gubernato-
find much in II to approve little to dissent from,
and nothing actually to censure. 1t Is free from
any Of those party Trades which sometimes disfg-
ure such papers, and thus gives evidence that its
writer has merged the partisan in the governor Its
recommendations, we think, are such as it will be
found to the interest of the State to adopt and the
legislature will, it is probable, willingly comply
with most Of them. That in relation to the city of
HGK Orleans and its protection from inundation
sl0old command immediate attention. We are
glad to that the governor takes proper view of
this subect that he the necessities of New
Orleans, admits the justice of her claims, and adj
viscs prompt and efectual action. The legislature,
we hope, will meet this recommendation in fair
and liberal spirit, and carry their Of justice
TO the extent of refunding to the city the amount
expended by it in stopping the Sauv6 crevasse. In
order to show that this is the duty of the State
quote the following paragraph from the message:
son the 18th Of March, l845, the Legislature
adopted a resolution authorizing the Governor to
appoint three persons 10 form with the State engi
neer, the mayor of the city, and the judge of JEFF
ferson, board of commissioners To inquire into the
most edectual means of protecting the city Of
New Orleans from inundation, and to report at
the next session. The resolution remained I'M
executed until the recent desolating deluge of the
city awakened inquiry and suggested the expedi-
ency of anticipating the Legislature with the sta
tistics it would demand before acting the sub
ject."
Here we that the State government had taken
the intiatory steps in providing for safety; but
unfortunately, the good intentions Of the Legisa-
ture never were carried into effect. That the re-
quirements of the law of ls45 were not complied
with until the recent desolating influx of water
awakened thereto the attention of the authorities,
was no fault of ours, and we should not be made
act referred to, acknowledged its duty to protect
US, and il it did not comply with its obligations, IL
ought to bear the loss resulting from its own neg
igence or that of those entrusted with the execu-
ton of the laws.
The suggestions ofthe governor in favor of accept
ing the grant Of swamp and overhowed lands made
by the last Congress- Of carrying on the system Of
internal improvements which has been commenced,
and Of changing the time Of holding congres-
sional elections all worthy Of respectful consd
Grafton, and we doubt not will all be adopted.
We are glad to learn that free school system Is
in fair way 70 work out its inestimable blessings ON
has been manifested in regard to 1t. The State has
been divided into six hundred and ninety two dis
tricts in 81 hundred and eighteen of which schools
have been in operation, and in which, during the
past year, twenty-five thousand children received
Instruction. Considering the short time that the
system has been established, and the opposition il
met with In some quarters, this statement shows
suits satisfactory as its most sanguine friends
could desire. The present school fund not being
adequate 10 the education Of more than half the
number Of those entitled TO receive instruction, the
governor recommends that il be increased.
To the question of slavery Governor Johnson de-
votes the latter part of his message, and assumes
what Is called southern ground on the question On
the whole, as we have said above, we consider this
last of Governor Johnson's state papers worthy
of his former fame, and we hope Il will gain him
new applausc 10 ACCOMPANY him on his retirement
from the position he has filed 80 honorably to him
self and 10 the State.