Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1857-10-10

10 the principles ano psfposea connected
with and inc,dent'so Tie great .blec. i
avows. Il calculates the love Of Union
aud snjoins upon every patriot the du:,
Of uphoIding and maintaining the Con
s.l.ution--.he great bond OF Union-a:
the only safeguard Of the right. Of ths
States, and the sure guarantee of l.aruo
NJ and fraterna! feelings among slss cit
izens Of the several States of the Union
|, procIains it's devotion foF religion,
as well as for civil and political liberty,
its hostility 10 any religious lest for pub
lie office, and its adherence and d.nun.
ciation Of any interference with o,
Infringement upon the rights OF con
scIsnce.
II advocates honesty and economy in
The conduct Of pubic rs well as private
affairs. and sgows its determination to
support as candidates for public Office
those only who are capable and honest,
and who will truly endeavof 10 preserve
the purity and independence Of the cleo
tive franchise.
Passing from these general subjects,
your attention is invited 10 considers
ton OF matters of immediate interest 10
you under ths State government.
4 brief reference TO the Legislation 0!
The State viil suffice to show the mis-
government, the usurpations OF power,
the open contempt for tbs iniunctions OF
the constitution, the corrupt and wasteiul
expenditure Of the public moneys, the
unconstitutional and ayranical oppression
Of a portion Q! the people Of The State,
the increase Of ths executive power and
patronage, tie distractions to Commerce
and Agriculture, and lhs nsslacs Of the
great interest Of public education, ina,
hare signalized the rule Of the Demo
cratic party Of Louisiana for seyera! years
past.
Under the 7.h title Of the constitution
Of the State Of Louisiana OF l652-ths
present constitutional is ordained that
. there sha! be Board OF Public Works,
to CONSIST of four Commissioners y that
the General Assembly, q. It's first session,
to Nit, in 1853, shall provide for thu
election and compensation of The Com
,niss;oners and ,he organization OF the
Boar,, "sad that the Commissioners
shall exercise d'IIigens and faithful sn-
Of MI public works in which
The State may be Interested, except those
made by JOINT stock companies and
tina. they shall Communicate to the
General Assembly, from time 10 lime.
their views concerning tue same, and
recommend such measures as they may
deem necessary. in order .ha, they may
employ to the best advantage, and tos
the purposes for which they were gran
ted, the swamps and ossraowsd lands
by the United States to this
Ssass.n
I. sl,ould be kept in mind that the
terms " Public Works" mesn "aA the
public works il. which the State may be-
except those made by joint
stock companies" and embrace such as
ms7 be necessary TO reclaim the swamp
lands, and render them most available
sor the purposes for which they were
granted to the State bs The United
States,
Tt object Of the trainers of the con
s,iution is here clearly stated, and their
wi!!-saeir injunction in regard to it
positively declared. What has been the
action Of the Legislature upon The sub
Jeesa
In 1853, the Legislature. at its hrs'
se..ion after the adoption Of the eonst'-
tuition, treated the object Of the trainers
Of the constitution, aad their positive in,
iuncsion., With supreme contempt. They
made no Board ef Public Works, and
provided for no election Of commission
er,; but in lieu Of their prescribed &C
ton. passed an act dividing the State
into three leves and draining districts,
aud creating a distinct and independent
beard Of three commissioners, called
the Swamp Land Commissioners
couferriug on the Governor the appoint
men, OF the comulissioners-and on the
commissioners SO appointed, the ap-
poinlnent Of three engineers, one fo'
each district, astt. providing large
salary, $4,000, for each commissioner ane
for each engineer.
Thus, instead Of Board Of Public
Works and Board OF Commissioners
TO be elected by the People, the Demo
cratic Legislature created q Board 0
:. Swamp Land Commissioners witt
attendant engineers aud gave Tue ap
poin.mens Of the commissioners to tn
Governor, and the appointment OF th'
engineers to the Governors appo'osees
In 1854, an act asnendatory OF; tina
described. was passed By the Legislature