The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1865-12-06

,a~ of judicial acts, unless in the abb
loi If JUDGES. The election Of Judges,
f oasenlers, Clerks aud Sheriffs, mainly from
h'oaaI or political feeling rather than ca !,
Pe, .;tv and fitness of the individual for the
pvt has shaken public confidence in the
u o,%"n;oistration of justice, besides rendering
!. aynensiyc, tardy, and to the last degree
...Htain. Bred to the vocation Of agri-
culture, / cannot speak on this subject with
technical familiarity, nor do aim at doing
~ contented if | can embody in clear and
Comprehensive recommendation tn" objec-
tions to the present system know to ex-
ist. for your correction. ;,
Provision will have 10 be made to rebuild
the State Penitentiary, and to erect State
house. The former will require all needful
d;spasch in selecting site for the latter,
dine regard should be paid to the locality.
Crowded or ill-ventilated places should be
avoided and, if need be, large and roomy
space, capable of admitting the erection, in
detached shape, OF all the public buildings
necessary for the State officers and archives,
to be provided for suitably, should be OBJ
tanned in the neighborhood of New Orleans.
The thorou shfares and crowded streets OF a
great city are unsuited 70; such purposes.
II is scarcely required that | shon'd
dwell upon the urgency of an immediate
and perfect organization of the militia of
the State. This cannot with safety be de-
fer.ed; for it is not compatible with the
reconstruction policy of the Government
to maintain armies in the States for pur-
poses of police. The reorganization OF our
State, which will be completely accom-
plishcd on the admission OF our delegations
TO Congress, will, without question, be
speedily followed by the abolition of mar
t,al law within our borders, and the with
drawal of all troops not required for gar
rison or fort purposes. That this may not
happen before State force can supply its
place, you will, L am sure, fully guard.
have endeav0red without success to
procure the transfer of the banks of New
Orleans, now under military liquidation,
from the control of the Commander of this
Department to the civil power. The banks
thus unaccountably circumstanced, are the
Bank Of Louisiana, State Bank, Merchants
Union, Crescent City, and Bank OF New
Orleans. Why the military usurped the
authority to take possession Of taese banks
md regulate their admin stration any mo
tltaa the reason for their continued reten
ton of them. / have never been abe to
know or understand. AS they stand ID
the relation to their creditors of insolvent
institutions, especially refer TO them, SC
that you may take such action to have
them administered in accordance witt
law and the just rights of all concerned
US circumstances will warrant.
The present condition of the n. o. ant
Jackson and n. o. and Opelousas Railroad;
inspires uacasiaess. The former road was
Unexpectedly to me, handed over by Tho
military authority 10 the administration .
few men, who had conducted it ate
some fashion. They refuse to explain il,
affairs from the rc-occupatioi of this city
by the National forces until the relinquish
ment of the road by the Commanding Gen
Acting upon The suggestions OF Preslden
johnson, who considered it should be :
step precedent to the delivery Of the road
to the control of loyal directors chosen >,
the stockholders, the Mayor Of New O..
leans called for new elections by the stock
holders of each company. His call W
fully responded to, and directors Of {
highest responsibility and reliability wer
chosen. The old directors Of the New Oi
leans and Jackson Railroad, fearing &C
countability, or unwilling to relinquis
their places, resisted the demand for SUI
render of the control OF the corporatio
and its affairs, and appealed to the laws
sustain them. They hold possession all
give no account of their stewardship.
The large interests Of the State in bot
of these important enterprises made it ii
cumbent upon me to sustain the action
the Mayor of New Orleans, in his exc
lions to have their true present state e,
posed for public information.
The New Orleans and Olelousas Raj
road is still held and run by the mi.itai
xho decline to relinquish tito its stool
holders unless the Board of Directors II
lease the Government from all reclamation
ON account of the enormous sums receive
by It's officers since the road has been
their hands.
y Donations Of land made by Congress
tae Opelousas road are likely to lapse fro
u failure of condition, If not attended t
You. early attention to the roads and
connected with them is much demande
Various public works, Of greater or lie
Importance. as we'll as the repapation of Il
leyees. will have to be undertaken by Il
State. In connection with tfem, the ere
ton of Board of Public Works, 'or Il
adoption of some other way for plannll
and supervising them, will be requisit
Experience will be safe guide as to viii
plan, that of q Board or Of q Chef Engi
Ger, is more preferable.
No other legislature bodies that ha
ever before been convened in this Sts
have been charged with the consideGatl
of legislation embracing so many, vario
and momentous subjects. Upon their
lightened, just and prompt settlement, e
rythiag affecting the well-being, happin'
and prosperity of the people and State
ponds. Procrastination ~ ruin; postpOI
p,ent is death.
The faithful citizen, called by an alLw
and omnicient Providence to administer t
powerful Government, watches with oil
tomato solicitude your proceedings.
lays great stress upon the course OF Ii
isiana; is anxious she should take her II
place in the Republic; has manifested
numerous kindnesses of manner end a