New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-01-12

surpassed by any commercial city on thu
| Atlantic seaboard. In this connection
will say that it is the unanimous sentiment
OF our people that it is the duty Of the gen
eral government to grant to louisiana ant
other Southern States their proper proper
ton Of national aid in prosecuting great
| works OF internal improvements. OF which
they were deprived during the war. and
! which has been SO lavishly granted &c
| Northern States. Such ac.iOi wOuld 20 taI
| TO cement the kindly relations ROW sc
rapidly growing up between the sections
| ! would recommend the General Assembly
to memorabilia Congress upon this Important
| subject by Joint resolution.
LEvEEs.
The care Of the levees and tie protection
OF the valuable allusial lands OF the State
which mainly produce our two great STA
pies. are especially recommended 70 your
attention.
And upon this all-important subiec:
would remark that the reports from the
Board OF Public Works show that the ap-
preparation Of three millions Of dollars in
the bonds of the State have been exhausted.
and that still the large crevasses at Ashton
and Diamond Island Bend. and. several
smaller breaks, are open, and some O: The
levees are still below grade.
Their reports show that they have con-
y
since their organization, at an aggregate
cost OF $3,23,O00, and that they will re-
Iuire S2,Wo,G0O more to place the Whole
system in repair, and thereafter q constant
annual appropriation or tax to provide Tor
the inevitable wear ana c;.ving Of the banks
OF the rivers.
From these figures We can Judge the vast
expense of the levee system, and this w!l!
he the case whether the work I've done by
ha.y .,i,, cI,
ties. the State or general government. or by
" private corporation, and the matter is OF
such magnitude that it should engage YOUR
earliest and most earnest attention.
The bill PASSED ny the las: Legislature
giving the lcvees to Il private corporation,
contained some serious objections. and
have returned it with my veto; but ii Is
evident that some more efficient plan must
be adopted than that OF irregular and IN
certain appropriations. for though il can be
shown that the works done by the Board OF
Pablo Works have been successfully con-
structed. yet this vas. labor viii be nearly
useless unless the other and constantly
occurring creVasscs are closed and the large
works, already built. saved from Tie en-
crOachments OF the river.
| would therefore recommend that sni-
fclent appropriation he made, and that the
powers Of the Board of Public Works be
without contract, when desirable, and also
to authorize them to check the encroach-
ments OF the river where the large anu costly
works are in danger. ii it be practicable.
1t seems apparent tina, the Congress OF
the United States is willing TO assist The
riparian States TO rebuild the levees. if
some tangible plan is adopted. and proba-
bly, cooperative board, to be appointed
by the Presiden, OF the United States.
WoIIlI iuS11ra fbiS IaSirn1 nScic-apnn
MILITIA.
IN accordance with an act OF ,he las.
General Assembly, have taken steps 10
enroll the militia OF the State. and have also
accepted several volunteer organizations.
In performing this duty, felt it 20 be al
once a grave and delicate task. Upon 10
subject WAS more apprehension felt. OF
would !. mistake i'll Judgment have been 80
disastrous 70 the general interests OF the
people, as upon that OF the organization o.
the militia. was urged by some to og-
game q purely partisan militia. and
seriously blamed by others for not doing
SO. l refused to DO this. and accepted as
volunteers al good citizens who otc.et
their services. wirhou, distinction o.;
party. anti the legal complement II
the First Division was filed. ! Uni
formed and armed these. so :.r Is the
appropriation allowed me. and placed in
their hands the preservation Of peace and
order. and the protection of life and prop
crty in the State. in case OF any emergency
in which the civil authorities should need
their aid. Al classes and all parties We're
represented in tie militia. Tie resui: was
that, during the late exciting election cam
paGn. all classes and all parties were re-
lieved of apprehension from each other. amt
fclt q sense of security. In adopting this
course received tire severe censure o: many
OF my political friends, who were opposed 20
receiving into the militia men WI" Rad
fought On the side of the South during the
war. i believed that the honor OF l-ousi-
aniaus could always be trusted. The result
has amply fulfilled my expectations.
SCHEMES.
warn Won, gentlemen, against certain
schemes OF plumber which are already or
ganiZing, ard will continue to be organized
and presented to you for your votes. These
are propositions which, under the guise OF
public improvements, or of claims against
the State, are simply plans to rob the treas
ury and Till the pockets Of unprincip,cd
spectators. The persons who will probably
ilnportune you most pertinaciouslv :0r The
most baret,ccd Of these speclua.lonS are
wel-dre>sed gentlemen, claiming TO be the
OF the most respectable q
our people. II is these pleasan: gentlemen
embracing millions, and not the pcor and
needy applicants for some long delayed but
petty act of Justice. who have lroSt depleted
The public till in tie past. and WI enaeavor
10 do SO again.
BRIBERY.
I ask your attention to the fast, tia. there
now exist on our statute books no adequate
penalties against the crime OF bribery.
This defect should be remedied by appro-
pirate legislation. which ] sincerely hope
the wisdom and patriotism OF your honora
ble body will promptly devise. am Ill re-
ceipt of information of acts of bribery on
the part of public officials, but owing TO tho
defect above named in the law, am with
ont the means Of bringing the offenders 10
justice, or stopping the mischief. II has be-
come a crying evil, and, il suffered to 60 on.
will destroy the confidence Of the people II
and seriously entanger our
libertics and highest interests. J hope that
the General Assembly will enact some law
on the subject, providing adequate penalties
and placing il in the power OF tie Cover
nor, to prosecute with vigor anc prompt
tude, all persons Offering brides. AND 'ti"3l ais
receiving ,heL.
STATE LANDS.
recommend to your atteI: on a".:a.r
TO the laws relative 10 puDl.c
lands. contained in the report OF he Regis
,rar of the State Land Office. which = negs-
with submitted.
TOLyCE JURY.
Tie Police jury system = .,n i.-ou-
and awkward, and leads 20 grea: delay
and inconvenience II The management
of parish business. IN SOHO parishes
there are six. eight. ten ard fifteen Pc
lice i,nyluen TO be elected. These officers
NV. nII;,nG q, meet often and .rayel far.