The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-03-05
TIE STATE AUDITOR

Yesterday evenings papers contained
the news that this officer had refused
to audit certain claims against the State
They arc those of James o. Nixon late
State Printer and Attorney General Bel
den. 1t will be remembered that tie
two Bills appropriatins Large sums OF
money to these gentlemen, passed the
Houses aud We're refused signature by
the Governor, and that the Legislature
passed them both b. two-thirds atiir-
IN .tivc vote. And they are now Laws.
The owners of these claims with remark
nb.e promptpess have presented them
for audit AMI been refused according to
the Picay,nc, with this statement from
the auditor that he should refuse to
DIV all Claims against the State accruinS
from the acts OF tho last Legislature, except |
those necessary for the S.atc Government.
Concerning the claims against the State
not embraced within its current expenses,
he should require the decision of the high
ext tribunal OF the State before he would ~
tempt to pay them, as he WAS in doubt con-
corning what might he considered the ac-
tunl State debt, though he is OF opinion that
it has already exceeded the constitutional
limitation by several millions of dollars.
1.-The following il Mr.. Graham's estimate
in rough of the State debt present and even
tual. MP to the LIST Of January, 1871, de-
tailed list of which will he published here
after. T-.
Bonds actually issued. ID. o6O, 233,&2
Miscellaneous indebtedness. 1858 96
Outstanding Warrants. ....... 1,3OO,3ll 81
Outstanding Certificates OF In
debte,lncss. .........-... 1900 oZ
Obligations of the State to issue
Bonds about. ..lO,Ooo,ooo w
Grand total. .............. 30, O2l, '34 o2
Since the above was in type, -Nr. Graham
inform. us that the obligations of the State
70 the New Orleans, Baton H1ugc and Vicks
burg Railroad. estimated i'll the above al
81, OOO, 900, Is as first ascertained from IT
officers, Sc, $50, O0O increasing the outstand
ing obligations above enumerated so,2oO,
900. and increasing the grand total to Owe
$4,000, 900.
W.. Graham states that he was acting II
this matter not only upon his authority. bu
Tx and with the advice of the Governor o
the State, and TINT though 1t was not III
province to go behind the acts of the Legs
l,t.,re In passing upon the Legitimacy
claims allowed by it, he had determined t
he guided only in the mode of payment b
the opinion of the final court OF arbitramcn
the Supreme Court OF the State OF Louisiana
lie wants that court to settle, beyond que:
ton, what is the actual debt of the STATE
md whether the constitutional limit has, c
h,snot, lie m r,ach,l."
Now this may he all very fine, an
certainly slnacks CT an overflow o. pi
ternal soiicitude for the welfare OF I'll
moor State Of Louisiana. Bit then Il
true constitutional Status of the Sta
Auditor. is well defined, and "
have rackcd our brain in vain to discov'
any authority for the refusal to audit tt
warrants in question. On his own a
thority aud the authority of the Cove
nor" he is resolved to disobey nm act
the Legislature until the Supreme Con
shall decide. and thus lie, minister
officer constitutes himself Judge OF t
constitutionaity of enactments. A ma
damus has been taken in the Nixon ca
and the Auditor will be called on,
March 8, to show Cause why a porcn,
tory nandamus should not issue. Y
will look with anxiety for the opinion
Judge Dibblc on the alleged reasons
q refusal to perform clerical Act.
The Legislature just adjourned IL
have done wrong in passing the acts
question, they may have increased
debt of the Stute beyond the Consti
tional limitation, but it does not app
10 us that the State Auditor is authOri;
10 give preference to certain claims, 8
10 refuse others . .. go
Repres alive Posey of the Te
Legislature is after the Institutions OF
State He has introduced resolution