New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-02-13

l8iected from oyereghty applicants. The Seminary
will require very considerable appropriation for
the support Of its practical operation during the
year, and means are also required for founding
library, improving the grounds and erecting reai-
dences for the professors who have families. We
hope that the State will foster literally this promis
ing domestic institution a5ss
The last Report OF Ma-. Louis Hilbert, the State
ESagineee-for by the act Of March nth, 1853, the
office was abolished, the act taking effect "a Of
| January ultimo-sums up the business OF the De-
| partment, shows its indebtedness and begs the
passage OF bill for the "Relief of the late State
Engineer Department." which shall appropriate
$23,22 81 to discharge its liabilities, considera-
Bile portion of which he obliged to contract on
behalf of the Department, on his personal respon-
| sibility
| The Annual Report Of Hon. q. w. Robertson,
Slate Astditor is an elaborate and admirably pre-
pared document, and its detailed statements of the
condition Of the revenue and expenditures show
the finances of the State to be in fouri5hing
state than has been exhibited for ten years past,
and sustain the conclusion assumed in the previous
annual report of this efficient officer that resort
to increase Of taxation unnecessary to relieve
the Treasury of pressing obligations due by gene
raj funds These liabilities have all been paid by
| a loan of 100000 effected for that purpose and
one half of this loan itself has been paid back to
the Louisiana State Bank, the institution from
which the amount was borrowed, still leaving n
balance to the credit Of this fund of sl336o6 90.
The receipts Of the Treasury have been amply suf-
| cient to meet the demands up to the present time,
but the outstanding claims falling due within the
| fiscal year ending 31st of March next, together
with the expenses of the present General Assem-
bly,, will create deficiency fully equal to the esti-
mate made for that period in the report preceding
this. Therefore, the Legislature is urged to exer-
else great prudence in voting appropriations be-
You'd the absolute wants of government
| The report complains of much difficulty being
experienced in the collection of taxes in Orleans,
and suggests the amendment of the law so that a
| separate assessment may be made Of the tax on
| trades professions, and occupations in country
1 parishes, and that in the city Of New Orleans an
Inspector of Licenses be appointed. It is also re-
commended that an Attorney be appointed by the
Governor to aid and assist the collectors in enforc
ing payments from delinquents, said officer to be
4 remuncrated by commissions from the enforced
taxes collected. Several measures Of reform IL
connection with the collection Of the revenue are
suggested, but cannot be condensed into the space
of this article. The Report il such carefully pre-
pared and able document as might be expected
from this officer. He il compelled to refer to The
| charges made against him in the Treasurers Off
cial report. He refutes them at length, and eS
plains h4 position on every question, with dignity
Of language and pcrspicuity Of statement W.
quote one Of the latter paragraphs Or Tie "Rc
marks Appendix Z Of the Report:
1t is with regret I have felt compelled to refer t.
| matters OF difference between the Treasurer ant
/ myself nor do pretend to aTogate to myself ex
emption from errors; but the records Of the pas
and present will bear witness that he is the ag
gressor. Not satisfied with usnrpations or powe
properly belonging to ether officers, he constitutes
himself public nformer, special protector of thu
peoples treasure, and the only honest public Off
Ger who has ever occupied and filled the office
When the General Assembly met in 1859, his re
ports contained tissue Of charges against othe
public officers fer derelietions of duty. But hi
official animosity was particularly aroused agains
the Swamp Land Commissioners. Under q system
which had become odious to the people, lie though
he was diScharging his duty BY attempting to maxi
scapegoats Of these officers. These charges were
examined into two-thirds of the session was con
stunned by the investigating committee, yet TIL
vouchers were al approved, and acts even wer
passed for the relief OF two of the Commissioner
for travelling and other expenses, for which the,
| could not show vouchers. The General Assembly
in the very face of all these presentments OF TIL
informer, after investigation, appropriated nearl
half million Of dollars, placing it under the con
troll of these same Commissioners.