The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-02-06
IMMIGRATION

i"o. seosioh, anu lOr Tue purpose OF pro.
noting the object sought, a bureau was
created. to be administered by commits
sioner, to be appointed by the Governor
and an appropriation Of $4,000 placed a,
his disposal. DR.. 1'hos. Cottman, we'll
known citizen, thoroughly identified with
the interests Of the State, and imbued with
interchangeable industry, was selected by me
to fill this responsible Office. His repor,
will show what s'eps have been taken tc
carry out the objects Of the Bureau, and
with what result. Although the sanguint
may be disappointed that the success has
not been greater, yet considered as begin
ming, and in yier OF the difficulties attend
ing the experiment of turning the tide o.
emigration which has been flowing for SC
many years toward the Western States,
see no cause for discouragement. Valua
ole information in respect to our soil, pro
ducts, and climate, has been disseminated
through the agencyof the Bureau, which
must eventually have the effect of attract
ing the attention of the laboring population
OF Europe, as we'll as of the Northern ant
Western States, to the superior adysnta
ges of our State for settlement. T6 this
end, the work commenced should not be re
Taxed, but whether further appropriation
on the part of the State is expedient in fur
therance of the object, or whether it will bt
lett to private enterprise, is for you TO de
eide.
EDUCATION.
TO expatiate on the Importance, to
free government, Of the general education
of the masses, would be regarded by me as
work of supererogation, in addressing
men of your intelligence. The foundation
OF the government rests upon this theory
Louisiana, keeping pace with the progress
OF the age, adopted, at an early period, the
general common school system, which was
intended to make available to every family
instruction in the primary branches Of educa
ton. She has tried this system for twent,
years. but it is an admitted and recognized
TACT that outside of the city of New Orleans
and few large towns, the beneficial effect;
expected to flow from the system has fallen
far short of what was intended. The re.
port of the learned and experienced gentle
man who presides over the department o.
public education, made to the Legislature
at the last session, contains his views, anc
presents many valuable suggestions for the
extension of the benefits from free schools
to the country parishes. l consider his
opinion entitled to your consideration. Al
the same time trust it will not be deemed
out of place that remind you of the claims
the freedman and his family to an equal
participation in the benefits to be derived
from the benifcent system. He contributes
to its fund by taxation ON his property, and
every motive of interest and humanity de.
mands of US that we should elevate his
condition by extending to him the blessings
of education. Impressed with this truth,
regard it as the most important recommen-
dation l can make to you, that ali appro.
priation to be made from the school fnnd
for the establishment of coIoted schools in
all the parishes under the general law.
While advocating the free school system
as of primary Importance, am not un-
mindful of the claims of our higher collegiate
institutions to State support. They have
had to recognize and commence anew
since the war, and have made rapid progress
in recovering their forn,zs. prosperity. An
for special reliefwillbe present.
ed to you in behalf of the Centenary Col.
lege, and Institution excelled by few in the
country for its usefulness, ard an honor to
the State. have no doubt that the ap
peal Of the trustees will be met by you in a
spirit of literally that will testify of your
ofthe benefits conferred in the
way of education through the means of this
well organized college.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
The reports Of the directors Of the Ope-
lousas and Jackson railways show salts
factory result in their earning, and demon.
strate the utility and Importance of these
great routes. The completion Of the former
road, according to its charter, is matter Of
prime necessity, and if the State can render
assistance beyond what she has already
done in furtherance of the work, think it
should be done. By the terms Of the
original subscription for stock on the part
OF the State, the company is entitled to an
issue OF bonds at the rate of six thousand
dollars for every-Imile Of completed road,
not exceeding the total amount subscribed.
The report shows that the company have
at the present time about eighty miles Of
continuous grading comp eted, which only
requires the iron to be laid to start the
locomotives and cars. Under the circum-
stances, would not the State be justified in
waving the strict requirements Of the law
and authorize the issue of bonds to the
extent OF the distance graded, as in the case
Of completed road ? In 1861 and 81 a
company was organized under an act of the
Legislature, for the purpose of constructing
a railway from New Iberia, connecting with
the Opeleusas road at that point, to Orange,
in Texas, on the Sabine river, which is the
terminus of the railway from Houston.
The Importance of this road in bringing
New Orleans in COMMUNICATION with large
portion of Texas, should stimulate our
people to put forth the most strenuous ex-
ertions to construct this connecting link
of railway. The only way the State could
assist in the undertaking, would be to take
stock payable in bonds, as in the case of
other roads, and with that assurance have
no doubt company could be formed 1.-THE
charter referred to being yoid) with suf-
icieDt capital to build the road.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
The charitable institutions of the State
'or the care and relief of the Insane, the
Deaf, Dumb, and the Blind, and the Chart
y Hospital, will require the annual appro-
oriation at your hands for their support.
Their claims for generous recognition will
doubtless be met by that spirit of liberality
which has hitherto enabled them to respond
70 the humane purposes for which they
we're founded, The building erected for
he Insane Asylum would appear to be
inadequate for the accommodation of the
INDECENT insane, as the Board of Administra-
ion were compelled for want of room to
urn off o number of this class during the
,ast year. An attempt has been made to
asst censure on the Board for refusing to
eceive pauper insane, while admitting lay
PATIENTS, but / earnot see that they can be
leld responsible for following the law,
which recognized and set apart separate
for the two classes. The