The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-01-13

pupils, and too few pupils to justify
/ the expense of the institution. 1t IS
now simply an asylum, and if the in
mates whose families or relations are
able to maintain them were dismissed,
there would be but very few depend
ent upon the charity of the State. The
unfortunate people remaining should
be provided for elsewhere.
Is. Chief cOnstables should not be
allowed other compensation than the
fees they receive for the service OF
summons or the execution Of wrlts,
etc, except when called into active
service by the Governor.
| Is. That each parish judge be paid
by the parish in which he resides and
acts, that in this way the State treas
ury may be relieved of the expense.
IL. / recommend that the act pro-
viding an annual salary to the secre-
taries, clerks, sergeant arms, etc.,
of the General Assembly be repealed,
and that these officers and employees
shall receive only such daily cOmpen-
satiOn during the session as heretofore
paid. In this manner you can save
eight thousand dollars per annum.
IS. There reiterate my recommend
alton that an act be passed providing
that all charters of railroad companies
granted by the State be repealed. By
so doing we shall release ourselves
from the nominally contingent debt
of over twelve millions of dollars.
CRIMINAL LAW IN NEW ORLEANS.
The secure enjoyment of life, iber-
ty, reputation and property, and the
peace and good order of society, de-
pend upon the just, prompt and effici-
ent administration of the criminal
law for the prevention and punish
ment of crimes and otfenses. There
is universal complaint Of the failure
of justice in this department of the
law in the city of New Orleans. I
would respectfully call the attention
of the Legislature to this subject, in
order that it may provide the remedy
necessary to correct the evil.
The population of New Orleans, in
its present extensive boundaries, inclu-
ding very large floating population
from the different States of the Union
and from foreign countries, is proba-
bly, not less than three hundred thou
sand persons.
1t is obvious that one criminal court
is insufficient for the prompt trial and
disposal of all the crimes aud offenses
committed in such community. Pre-
vious to the war, the then Attorney
General suggested to the Legislature
the expediency of creating two courts
for the trial and disposal of crimes
and offenses: one to have jurisdiction
in all cases of felony, or crimes pune
ishable by death or imprisonment in
the Penitentiary at hard labor. The
suggestion was unhappily not then
acted upon. That which was then
expedient is now absolutely necessary
for the safety and we'll being of society
The city of New Orleans, notwith-
standing adverse circumstances, has
advanced considerably in general pros
perity and in the number of inhabi-
tants. With the increase of popula-
ton crimes have multiplied.
There are now six Recorders in the
city. Surprising each Recorder to
send upon an average one case every
day to the Criminal Court "a reason
able supposition if they discharge
their duty), the number of eases to be
disposed of every month would be, ex-
elusive of Sundays, IA. 1t is mani
fest that such number of cases, and
many of them cases of the gravest
character, can not be properly tried
or disposed of by one court. / would
therefore recommend the creation OF
an additional Criminal Court, as
above suggested; the adoption of this
recommendation will not entail in
crease of expense, as the number OF
civil courts in the city of New Orleans
is more than sufficient for the business
of the community, and the abolish
ment of one of those courts, which
recommend, will save the cost incur
red by the establishment of an adj
ditional criminal court.
GENERAL TOPICS.
The legitimate results of the reconstruc
ton policy of Congress in this State may
now be regarded as so far completed as to
justify a final verdict upon it. Through this
, policy the government of the State was
placed in the hands OF its whole people. The
ouJcct oi ILLS WslS II SOOu one. 1t was TO EN-
able every man to have an equal voice in his
own government, to the end that all classes
and races of people should have chance tt
defend and maintain their civil and political
rights.
The excitements and disagreements Incl
dent to this revolution in public affairs have
naturally hitherto monopolized the attention
of the Legislature and of State and municipal
governments, to the neglect, perhaps, OF
other public affairs. This period of excite
ment, however, has passed. The questions
that arose during it are now settled; an era
OF peace and good feeling has begun, at least
in our State. ALI the people aequiesce in the
changes wrought by the reconstruction meas
ures. The civil authority of the State has
ample power to enforce the law and preserve
order within its limits. The temper and dis
position of the people Of all classes snd polit
ical opinions are to sustain the authorities il
the discharge of their duties. There is NJ
need in Louisiana of any extraneous power
or military force to assist the State authorize.
III maintaining order and enforcing law.
have had no difficulty in securing the full
support of the people of this State in the en-
fOIcnmnut ofa oil l.ye T how hoe