The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-02-09
SCHEMES.

schemes of plumber which are already
organizing, and will continue to be Or
ganized and presented to you for your
votes. These are propositions which,
under the grlise of public improvements,
or of claims against the State, ere simply
plans to rob the treasury and fill the
pockets of unprincipled Spectators. The
persons who will probably importune You
most pertinaciously for the most bare
faced of these spectators are we'll
dressed gentlemen, claiming to be the
representatives of the most respectable
of our people. 1t is these pleasant gen.
tlemen in broadcloth, with their gigantic
swindIes, embracing millions, and not the
poor and needy applicants for some long
delayed but petty act ofjustice, who have
most depleted the public till in the past,
and will endeavor to do SO again.
BRIBERY.
1 ask your attention to the fact, that
there now exist ON our statute books no
adequate penalties against the crime Of
bribery. This defect should be remedied
by appropriate Legislation, which I sin
cerely hope the wisdom and patriotism
of your honorable body will promptly
devise. am in receipt of information
of acts of bribery on the part of public
officials, but owing to the defect above
named in the law, 1 am without the
means of bringing the offenders to JUS
tice, or stopping the mischief. 1t has
become crying evil, and, if suffered to
90 on, will destroy the confidence Of
the people in government, and seriously
endanger our liberties and highest inter-
ests. I hope that the General Assembly
will enact some law on the subject, prov
iding adequate penalties and placing it in
the power of the Governor, to prosecute
with vigor and promptitude, all persons
Offering brides, and officials receiving
them.
STATE LANDS.
recommend to your attention certain
amendments, contained in the report of
the Registrar of the State Land Office,
which is herewith submitted.
| POLICE JURY.
The Police Jury system is cumbrous
and awkward, and leads to great delay
and inconvenience in the management of
parish business. In some parishes there
are six, eight, ten and fifteen police jury
men to be elected. These officers are
obliged to meet often and travel fur. 1t
is difficult to obtain gentlemen OF the
requisite capacity, integrity and public
reputation to serve III these positions.
Hence, oftcntimes, III many parishes this
branch OF the public service is neglected,
to the great detriment of general and
individual interests 1 recommend that
the system be SO changed rs to reduce
the number of police jurors i'll each
parish to three; to make their meetings
monthly, i'll sessions of three days each,
and to allow each police juror small
per diem, say 81 per day for each ses-
sion. This will facilitate business and
secure the services of competent men,
and not increase materially the public
expenses. would also recommend that
these police jurors be made parish Off
GERS, and be elected or appointed for the
same term as other parish officers.
CHARTER OF CITY OF NEW ORLEANS.
Among the most important acts passed
Mt the last extra session of the Legislature,
was the new charter of New Orleans.
With view of putting the new govern
ment into operation as soon as possible,
[ made the appointments required OF me
by law of a Mayor and the several Ad-
illustrators. The charter has been found
to work well. with the exception of some
minor particulars, which will, doubtless,
be brought to your attention by the
Mayor and Council To any representa-
tions and suggestions they may make,
bespeak your respectful and careful con-
sideration. Much of the success of any
system or form of government depends
upon the character and ability of its
officers. The situation in which the
affairs of the city of New ORLEANS stood
through bad and partisan management