The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-02-06

anu tue t0efaHbE Oh tile National traTeEa
ment 10 be invoked to supply food to the starring
Upon 44s disaster cane The excessive rains did iii
army wora which cut off than one-third of tbs
cotton crop, that few IL any, OF those engaged il
planting have cleared expenses. while the large ma
EjorIty have lost heavily These caamtes, repeated
III two successive years. combined with the derange
neht OF labor, could rot otherwise than operate
encouragement 10 the agricultural interests of thf
State Depressing their tendency, however
cannot believe that people will permit their euer
ges TO be paraysed. We have tie fertile Iaad>
on the globe genial climate, and the seasons cannot
| always prove unproptious. Gloomy the prospects
may appear, see cause for despair One good
yield of crops would repair our losses and sooner Or
later, the tide Of immi grafton must find its way
hither, attracted by the advantages of unparalleled
soil, climate and faculties OF Market and witt, it
will come capital enterprise and intelligence that have
made the Northern and Western States what they are
In political matters, the past year has been charged
with great events particularly to the people OF the late
rebel States. General elections have been held in all
the States not engaged in the rebellion. for members
to compose the Fortieh Congress Of the United States
The questions at issue and decided in that contest
were of the gravest and most important character
! On full and deliberate considerations the people have
pronounced in favor OF the power of Congress to
construct these States. They have gone further and
declared their purpose that these States shall be
stored to their former participation in the Government
until suitable constitutional guarantees are provided
against present dsloyaty and future rebellion One
of these guarantees adopted by the present Congress
at the last session. is embodied in the proposed amend
ment to the constitution of the United States. have
received, through the Secretary Of State, certified
copy of said amendment with the request that the
be submitted to YOU for ratification, and it is
| transmitted herewith accordingly. In view Of the
diverse opinions we'll known to exist, between the
members of the General Assembly and myself, on all
matters connected with the reconstruction Of the State
shall not take up your time by entering into an ex-
tended discussion Of the features Of the proposed
| amendment. / believe Your minds to be made up
how you shall vote on it, and nothing that could say
would have any weight with you, for Or against That
[ may not be misunderstood, however, before the
country, in my views on SO important IA measure
desire to say that consider the amendment as lust
and proper, adjusting and settling, it does the
rights of citizenship all persons without reference
to race COLOR recognises the validity of the public
deb'; rcpudlates the payment assumption of any
debt or obligation incurred in aid Of inssurrecton or
rebellion against the United States or claim for
the loss emarc patton of any slave; and imposes
dsfranchsenent from holding office under the United
States and State Governments to certain class of
persons who have engaged in insurrecton rebellion
against the Government of the United States. These
provisions meet my full approval, but am not willing
to accept the amendment as finaity for the admis-
sion and restoration of the late rebel States. con-
slider it to be within the province and to be the duty Of
Congress to require of these States additional guar
anteeS that they SHALL by constitutional enactments
recognise and establish equal political rights in the
privilege of the ballot, to all men. believe such to
be the fixed will and intention OF Congress, and do
not consider your ratification of the amendment would
exercise any influence in changing or altering that
determination. The idea and hope Of realmisson as
State, on any other terms, | regard as usory and
the sooner the honest, we'll meaning of the peo-
pie realise the fact, and make up their minds sub
nit and act accordingly, will they assist in adjusting
and settling political relations with the Federal
on fu) and haciS
The riots or massacre in New Orleans, though CON
fined to certain locality, is event which may be
said to concern the people Of the whole State, we'll
the United States, and for me to pass it over in
silence in this document, would probably be attributed
to motives OF fear, IN view of the fact that attempt
has been made to hold responsible for their origin,
in giving my sanction to the meeting of the Conven-
ton. So far my official acts and private conduct
in that matter is concerned do fear to court any
inycstiga the General Assembly may think proper
to institute | have and shall continue to denounce
the killing and outrages committed that occasion
unprovoted massacre of loyal citizens, headed
by the police and assisted by mob to crafty their
hatred OF every man who remained true to the Gov
eminent during the rebellion, Or abandoned its cause
The reports of the State Treasurer and Auditor will
place you in possession in DETAIL Of the workings of
the Treasury for the past year, and its condition at the
close.
The Treasury shows the following exhibit of receipts
and expenditures:
Total receipts. .............. .... 81, 200 400 Dc
Total expenditures ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 2,615,7o5 II
Balance ..,.......,.............s l,674 rs 81
represented by the following funds and securities
In State Levee bonds bearing eight per cent
interest exchanged for State notes. 700 900 90
In State notes. redeemed for cancellation. $4,000 90
In state notes saued but not paid out e3,285 90
In United States Treasury and City notes. 1908 81
Total: .:.".: sl,674,755 81
Excluding and dcducng the balance brought for |
ward from previous year. amounting to S597.72S co.
and the further of 81 $685. G0 Of State Treasury
notes issued, the
Receipts proper of the General Fund
would be-. 81 19G,131 ~ /
The expenditures proper for the same ~
period, excluding appropriations for
I4evee Board of ST 100000, would be l6l5,7O5 y
Surplus. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. SlS1, o26 SO
The report furnishes statement of the issues,
and balance of State notes or certificates
IF Indebtedness. go 't.". 49,
Total amount authorised by law ....... s. 900 900
'aid to Board of Levee Commits
sloners-- appropriations by the
Legislatures. :..;...;....... sl,0eo,c0o
Ditto in exchange for bonds. 100000
COR current expenses of the State. 1872 ,T6j
ssued but not paid ........... SO 235
IN hand not Used. .... ........ 100000
Subject to the following deductions:
redeemed for cancellation. -. 1926, 900
lade and not paid out........ -. 3,235
in hand, not made. lo4,0oo-s592,2 35
Amount in circulation January l. 1867 81 ,40S, 765
The foregoing figures are deemed sufficient to en,.
lie you to comprehend the situation Of the Treasury
nd to appreciate the necessity of prompt relief, to
nabe the State to meet her obligations The Au-
ors estimates for the year are predicateu on
xistng sources OF revenue and expenditure, and his
taemen does not materially vary from the results of the
ast year. He thinks the expenditures can be brought
within the receipts, but in which calculation no pro-
ison is made for the expenditures account Of
evees, nor for the redemption of State notes which
ill be received for taxes, and it may be safely assumed
hat the whole amount outstanding will be paid
no the treasury during the year These notes not {
eing rsIs>uable, provision will have to be made to
lace the treasury in funds to meet the deficiency
rising from their absorption in tie payment of taxes
he seven hundred bends held by the Treasurer in I
Xchange for notes paid to the Board of Levee Com
lissoners, might be sold and the proceeds paid into
he general tu,d which would materially contribute to
he relief of the treasury, but still leave large sum to
provided. In view Of the failure of the experiment
. make these notes circulating medium, the ques-
ion arises for your consideration whether it the
est policy to provide the at once of redeemins
nd canceng the whole issue, for so long they are
matter for discount and speculation the credit Of the
tate suffers. Revenue measures nil hit be devised to
lcreaSc the income Of the treasury, which would OBJ
late the necessity Of borrowing resorting TO an ill.,