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

tute or Strengthened circumstances The
subject of life insurance becomes one of
vital Importance to the man whose moral
duty it is to provide for the future CON-
fort and independence Of his household
There are now about twenty -four life
insurance companies doing business in
this State, which have issued policies
amounting to many millions of dollars
This sum is designated for the protection
of the widow and orphan. I, therefore,
recommend that you pass such a law for
the government of these institutions as
will give greater protection and conf
dence to this great and growing interest.
The scrip issued to the State by the
national government for the endowment
of a college in the interest of agriculture
and the mechanical arts, has been receiv-
ed by the commission appointed by your
honorable body to receive and dispose of
the same. As it will probably be sold
during the current year, and its pro-
ceeds determined, it is important that
the Legislature should take the neces-
steps, at an early day, to locate and es-
tablish a college, which shall fulfill the
intent for which the benefcent grant was
made.
It may be that after careful examina-
ton of the institutions of learning now
under the fostering care of the State, it
will be found that the course of study in
some of them may be SO modified or en-
larged by a judicious use of this grant, as
to wisely fulfill the obligations assumed
by the State in its acceptance
invoke your careful attention to the
subject. rr.l aI
STATE HOUSE. ,o''i '
The subject of the erection or purchase
Of q suitable building for State capitol
will doubtless claim your attention. The
condition of our finances imperatively
demands that in this, as in all other mat
tiers, we shall practice the most rigid
economy. The cost of suitable grounds in
New Orleans will be a very heavy items
and there are, besides, many other reason,
why the seat of government should be
removed from this city. In large city
the facility for forming combinations to
influence Legislation is SO great that III
most of the States of the Union they
have found it necessary to remove the
State capitol from their principal towns
Our predecessors followed this ex
ample, and established the State capita,
at Baton Rouge, point accessible from
MI parts of the State, and destined to be
come still more SO when the railroad.
now chartered are complexion event
that we believe will occur before the time
for your next regular session. At thi'
point was completed, in 1847, STATE
House, which for architectural beauty
convenience of arrangement, and solidity
of structure, compared favorably with
any building for a similar purpose on the
continent.
Unfortunately, during the late wa, this
building was seriously damaged by fire
but I am informed, upon what I regard
as good authority, that the injury was
not SO serious or so difficult to repair as
is generally believed, and that it can bt
restored to its original condition o.
strength and beauty Of less than one fifth
of the original cost.
I therefore recommend that authority
be given me to employ one or more com
petent persons to examine the building
and report its condition, and the cost O
repairing. t.s..t
IMMIGRATION.
The European war, in addition to it,
disastrous effect of depressing the price
of cotton, has caused the suspension O.
the Hamburg steamship line to New Or
leans, and interrupted, for time, the
Bremen line. The recent arrival, how.
ever, of nearly eight hundred emigrants
on single steamer gives promise moi
only of an increased emigration from
Germany, and possibly from France, af
| ter the termination OF the war, but, also