The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-01-15
The Governors Message.
STATE OF LOUISIANA, J
Executive Department, I
New Orleans. January 4, 1870. J

STATE OF LOUISIANA
Executive Department,
New Orleans, January 4, 1907
Fellow-citizens of the Senate and House of
Representatives OF the General Assembly:
In welcoming your return to the capital.
I congratulate you on the improved condl-
ton of public affairs. The primary cause
of CUR late civil war may be traced to anita
gonistic conceptions of the genius Of the ma
tional government. Superadded to this
cause ~ofstrife, was an equally radical differ.
renee in the Interpretation of the organic
law. Legislation in the presence OF such
a%ntagonism for separate communities with
different industries and customs, and ethl-
calideas, involving great moral and industrial
questions, must at all times be exceedingly
difficult, and necessarily furnish occasion
for discomfort and irritation.
Under such circumstances Of embarrass-
ment it was that ambitious and evil men
used the passions and prejudices fthe hour
to preeipitate the fearful struggle out OF
which we have Just emerged. But this, as
other evils to which man is subject, has
proven to be not without compensatiye good.
Mt only great material, but beneticent poll
teal and social changes have followed there.
from. These changes, St necessary to nation
al progress and growth, by the exercise ofex,
trao dinry f~orelhought in the structure, and
an equal amouMfof moderation, prudence
and iorbearance in the administration OF 60
vernment. might have been realized with
out a conflict between the coutestinl par
ties. But human nature is too limited in
knowledge, and too impulsive and lmprovi,
dent in action, to have expected from 1t a
peaceabIe solution of these issues. The
realization to the people is worth the costly
price paid for 1t. The shock that startled
and stunned the country has advanced US
10 the front rank among the nations OF the
world, Upon the wreck Of personal hope
and private foretune we viii lay the found&-
tons for a broader and more generous civil
~lzatlon, and build up a more desirable and
permanent prosperity, and out of Thu ma
tienal travail there shall come a fairer and
stronger national life. The strongest ten
denotes of the American people. as manifest
ed not only in the war but equally in the
late popular elections, are personal freedom
and national authority, the largest liberty
to the individual and the ampleset and full
lest obedience to the government. With
the vindication of the national authority,
and the restoration of peace, these tenden-
cies have become more fully expressed in
the laws of the land, and as they are reco-
gnized by the whole people, liberty of opin-
ion, of speech and of action, and protection
to life and property shall become the herl-
tage of every American citizen lcongra-
tulate you, gentlemen, upon the good feel
ing that exists among the people OF both
races, and the cheerfulness with which they
are accepting the e order of things and
the earnestness with which our people are
addressing themselves to further and protect
the great interests committed to their hands.
A benefcent Providence has aided US in the
restoration of our fortunes by granting an
abundant yield of the products of the soil
and unprecedented health among our popu-
ny congratulations ended, allow me to
call your attention to the grave matters OF
that will claim your earef Il consi'
derations and judicious action during the
present session of your honorable body.
FINANCE OF Il STATE
The financial condition ofthe State claims
your careful consideration. 1t is such as to
embarrass my administration, and the Gre
Int of the State, as tested by the prices com
handed by her securities, is not satisfacto-
~.
Every production that satisfies a human
want may be considered a utility, and the
utilities of State constitute its
gross wealth. But much chat is produced
S currently consumed, so that We say that
The excess of produced utilities over the con-
of same constitutes the net wealth
IF the State, and is the basis of it's credit.
Again, much Of the excess of this produc
goes into private enterprises and reap
bears in new productive forms, so that only
. part can be safely and legitimately relied
Upon to pay, in the form of taxes, the con-
;tantly recurring expenses of government
ind the principal and interest of her securi
les. Measure the wealth Of Louisiana by
he sum of her products subtract therefrom
10 much as will meet the current wants of
Ter people and the current expenses of her
government, and there still realms a mar
Yin of unconsumed and una%ppropriated va
ues sufficient and available to give her first
las credit among political communities.
There is no need, therefore, so far as ability
5 concerned, that her bonds should sell for
ess than their par value But credit does
depend alone upon the solvency of the
,arty whose securities are upon the market,
also upon the efficiency and efficiency
# the arrangements made to pay the princi
aud interes, as they may accrue. Both
must be provided for amply in amount and
urely in methed. A wise use of the State
redit, sustained b yjudicious legislation and
administered by faithful officers, is all ne
essary in the premises We have not al
rays used the credit Of the State for p.a:A
icable and feasible purposes, but still, if
eed be, in great works of internal improve
lents, under proper checks and restraints,
er credit might be safely used to much
reater extent than has been already done.
he is amply able to pay her debts. Why
her securities be deprecated? One
ital cause of this is to be found in the legis-
.tion of the State. InheritiEg a large float.
1g Indebtedness with the matured coupons
.on 1868, you found your financial condi-
ion critical, and were compelled to levy the
ne per cent tax for special purposes. and
t the SANE time the general tax of ~oiie-quar-
er of one per cent. To tighten the burdens
f taxation, you. in your last session. autho-
lied each of these taxes to be paid in ma.
nred coupons and warrants of the Auditor
f Public Accounts, consuming the. ely
0 much Of the revenue OF the state as to
ave u%nprovided for the interest on a large
ortion of Your public securities and the i
-easury of the State without sufficient funds
meet the current expenses Of the govern.
lent The law was defective, either in the
mount of the tax levied, or else in permit
ng warrants without limit to be substituted
If the tax. But a more potent cause of
ar financial embarrassment, and depreeiat
1 credit, than even Defective Legislation,