The weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1872-1882, 1873-01-18

and her energies judiciously diteceed7
ne9ative answer, I think, must be given
Improvident and unwise Legislation, no
to characterize some Of it by more forcibl
terms, has been chiefly instrumental in in
volving the State in its present fnancia
endorsements. What ore the ,remedie
to be ,esorted. to? They are plain and Oh
vious. Rigid economy in expenditures
the abolition Of useless Office, strict &C
countability enforced against all public
agents; in short, the adoption in the ad
mtnistration Of public affairs Of the sam'
appliances necessary to restore the fallen
fortunes of an individual Honesty, in
dusry and economy-upon these prin-
ciples the people OF the State demand,
and they have y right to expect, thei,
public servants to act. This demand, sc
far as the executive department and its in.
fluence extends, will be strictly complied
with. i.
/ 1t cannot be expected on this occasion
that all topics of public interes,
will be treated in detail A fuller con.
sideration of the proper objects Of legis.
alton will be more in place in communi-
cations l may hereafter have to make ia
the General Assembly.
NEW ORLEANS.
There il no subject Of greater moment to
the people of this State than the prosperi-
ty Of the City OF New Orleans. Az the
metropolis of the State. the entrepot Of the
valley of the Mississippi its interests are the
interests of the State and its credit is the
credit OF the State. The great need Of the
city is railroad conn action placing it in
closer relations with the vast trade Of Texas,
as well as the trade of the distant portions
of our own State, to which it is by right
entitled. This great purpose il will be the
duty Of the Legislature to foster and en-
courage. Prompt action should also be
taken to remove from the city many op-
pressive burdens imposed upon it by the
legislation of the past. The city should
have the control Of its own finances, and
not be compelled as tits now by Legislative
enactments, to incur annually heavy and
unnecessary expenditures much beyond its
current re ources.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS
/ regret that We do not find more that
is encouraging in the progress of internal
improvements in the State. On this sub
ject there can be no diversity Of opinion.
Before the war the policy Of the Southern
States seemed to be not to seek appropria-
tons from the federal government for in
terial improvements! Hence compara-
lively small portion of the money appro-
priated by Congress tor this purpose wa,
expenced in the South, while large appro-
priationa went to the Northern States.
where they were eagerly sought and did,
much to develope works Of great benefit to
the commerce Of those States. Since the
war however, many of the Southern States
have in this regard reversed their policy.
70 Louisiana especially the national gov
has extended aid with liberal
hand. Large appropriations have been
Congress for the improvement OF
the mouth of the Mississippi river Of
Bayou Tech, the Atchafalaya, the Tangirsa-
hoa, Ouachita, Tchetuncta and Red rivers.
One hall Of the estimated requisite appro-
oriation for the removal OF the raft from
The Red river was passed during the last
sesionsf Congress. Ill these improve
ments, Lam glad to say, are in progress
or about to be commenced. Congress also
large amount Of the public
ands to aid the building of railroad
rom New Orleans to Shreveport. 1t is
believed from present indications that at
N early day the work will be entered upon
md pushed to q satisfactory conclusion.
Every effort should be nude to secure the
Of this most essential work.
The Legislature Of the State during tho
,ast four years has hugely subsidized u !
projected railroad from New Orleans west
yi.rd to the Sabine. The early completion
4 this road aud Of the road to Shrevepcr.
' essential to the property of New Or
eans xnd thu Stats Ut large; NO effort must
y spared to bring about this result
action il Likely to >be. asked
u regard to tue New Orleans, Mobile aud
,exas rtaailrold Time, it is understood,
required will be asked for BY the COM
any tosennbls it to fulfill the conditions
nd stipalations it sntsred into with ths
tate The benefits that tue STATE ut lar,;.
nd New Orleans. especially, are to derive
,omdl 70 Important an enterprise are great
, preiuaice by the failars Of the company
!, push on. the work. Good policy to
aires talat svsy proper facility asked BY
v company should be sxts,ntlsd; sa.l bat IN
laking' concessions the Legislature
at,nli exact q guarantee amply SUFFICIENT
indemnity tile state against any future
,ilurs IN the construction Of the road.
Lush controversy exists regarding the
ii Anxncid status of this road and e