Gazette and sentinel., 1860-01-28
GOVERNOR TTzos. O. MOORE.
Gentlemen If The General IssemJ!y,
and Giiotc tigiesae

sLltNtCu NAoNAb "a - AL 1917 ~ ii.'-A
its responsibilities so as to give full sat
isfaction to you. 1t was with real re-
luctance that | consented to he a candi-
date, and the people thought fit to elect
me without effort or solicitations on my
part. Owing no obligation to particu-
lar persons, or particular interests, my
thanks for the honor conferred upon ne
are due to my f llow-citizcHS belonging
to the same political Communion with
myself, and to the people oCJhe Stateat
large, and it shall be the earnest effort
Of my administration to deserve the
support of all.
In accepting the nomination Of the
Democratic party, | necessarily stoo!
pledged to spare no excrGon - yiuGi-
cate its principles and establish it, mea-
sures. It is my conscientious c9Hvic-
ton that by them alone 4 the Federal
and State Government be sagGly admin
istered. Its policy in Federal 01iairs
has supported the interests Of all sec
tions, elevated the national character,
and enlarged the boundaries Of the Uur-
on. In State affairs it has respected the
rights Of. all persons and Of all classes.
and with unshrink;ng fidelity protected
them from aggression and prescription.
These are the true objects Of all Just
government, and TO these its policy viii
be directed. | can hest advance the
public good by steadfastIy adhering to
the principles by which these results
have been produced.
The Constitution makes it the duty of
the Governor to take care that the laws
be faithfully executed, and the power of
appointment has been conidcd to him 70
a limited extent to assisthim in tie per-
Torrance of this duty. His responsible
ity for the conduct OF public officers
must be measured by his power over
their appointment. lie cannot be held
accountable for what may be done or
ommitted by those to whom he has Civ
en- no trust and whom he cannot remove.
But he should be heldtoa strict account
for the character of those whom he NAV
select for public employment. / shall
invite a rigid scrutiny into the manner
in which this, as indeed all other oficiSa
duties are performed, Twill not, know
ingly, appoint 10 Office any man who is
not qualified to discharge every duty be-
longing to it, with knowledge, skill and
fidelity. Integrity and competency must
be essential requisites to the appoint
ment of public officers. These being
fully shown, reasonable weight may be
permitted to political considerations ;
mere p~artizanship constitute no claim
upon the appointing power. The sup
port OF a party for reward is a dcgra-
dation-not a merit-for the principles
of q party can only be considered val
liable when they contribute 20 the gelG-
eral good. As Governor OF Louisiana,
it will be my first duty to see that the
public service under my control is con-
Quoted with honesty and capacity.
Economy in the administration Of a
Government ought always to be insist
ed upon, and retrenchment, in all cases,
when it can wisely be made. Cnfortu-
nately a disposition to retrcnch thc
Treasury expenditures is usually direct
cd to branches Of service i'll which it is
least demanded. There is really no Just !
cause of complaint against the salaries
of the officers of the State, yet these arc
usually attacked when there is a desire
to curtail the public expenses, and they
are attaced because all are familiar with
them, and a few know where tolouk for
the leaks that empty the Treasury. But
prodigality rarely exhibits itself on the
surface of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1t is
In the details of administration that ex-
travagance is to be detected, and when
ever the subject is properly investiga-
ted, 1t may be found hat large sums of
money are wasted which could be saved
to the Treasury by the observance of a
correct system and the exaction of a
stern accountability. ] shall take pains
to call the attention Of the General As
sembly to such reforms ~ all the DEPART
ments OF Government as the people may
demand. The subject belongs, p%articu.
iarly, to the Legislative branch of the
Government, and my hearty cooperation
will be given to every measure that will
lend to lessen the public burthens. But
nothing of any value can be accomplish
ID without a careful scrutiny and a rigid
inquiry, conducted with a steady deter
mination to expose extravaganza when
wei and wherever discovered, and then
with an unfinching hand to apply the
appropriate remedy.
But while urging frugality in the adj
ministration of the Government, let it
not be supposed that | am unwilling To
aid in such judicious expenditures as
will develop the of the State.
Louisiana has been something Of a lag