The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-05-28


This is the process by which proselytes are
made to the Kellogg government.
GOVERNOR C0KE'S VETO MESSAGE
The following is the message of the
Governor of Texas, returning the bill fol
the annexation of the parishes Of Caddo
and De Soto to that State. As it contains
so interesting and pointed a statement OF
the condition Of Louisiana, we have dc.
termined to give it in full
The aggregate population of Caddo and De Soto
parishes constitute according to the census of 1870
about one.twentieth Of the entire population o,
Louisiana. Not having the means of ascertalning
what proportion the taxable property of those two
parishes bears to the entire wealth of the State OF
Loais ana. will that their proportion of tax
able property is the their proportion of popula
ton, say one.twenti"th.
The public State debt of Louisiana is varousy
stated at from twenty five to forty III lions of dollars
The pro rata then of that debt to be paid by these
parishes, will be one-twenteth of this amount, say
| one and halt or two millions of dollars.
The second section Of this bill pledges the State of
Texas to make the said parishes pay their rata
share of the State debt of Louisiana existing to the date
Of the cession" If the power existed, without
troversy in the State Government Of Texas. to make
this pledge for the people of Texas the magn tude of
the debt for the size and population of the territory
to be acquired, is sufficient ground .r hesitation and
deliberation, and careful survey Of consequences
before making it.
It Is still more important, that we consider we'll
wha We do in this regard when we take into the est
mate the great doubt which exists Of the power of the
Legislature to do that which pledges Texa. to do
true that the two provsos at the of the second
section Of this bill distinctly announce that Texas
shall in event be responsible tor the debt of these
parishes yet if the proposition involved in this bill is
accepted by Louisiana it will surely be done on the
faith that this government has the right to make and
the power to redeem that pledge, and would not the
honor of Texas If It were accepted. demaud its per-
Torrance? The State of Louisiana has right to be-
ieve that the COVE nment of Texas knows its powers
and that government pledges that Texas will make
Caddo and DeSoto parishes pay their quota of that
debt Louisiana will have right to demand that Texas
shall do it, if she fails to make these parishes do
after their annexation.
Does the Government of Texas possess the Consti-
tutional right to make and the power to redeem this
pledge.
Section nineteen of article twelve of the Const tu-
ton declares "Thst taxation shall be equal and uni
form throughout the State" Now whenever the ces
sion contemplated by this bill is perfected and the
Constitution and laws of Texas are extended the
territory embraced in Caddo and DeSoto parishes and
that territory becomes part AMI parcel of Texas,
tax be consttutionay levied and collected in those
two parishes unless the same tax is at the time
equally uniformly collected in all the other counties
Of Texas Or. to put the question in another shape
BY ado the
ascertsined. and before the cession the bonds
OF these parishes are executed and delivered t.
the State Of Louisiana to secure its pay ment, and
they into Texas with this municipal debt hang
ing them, the Government OF Texas authorize
the county parish authorities to levy and collect
tax to meet it, but suppose these authorities fail
refuse to levy and collect the tax the Legislature
compel them to do it! If the Legislature has in
case no power to levy and collect the tax and in the
other power to compel the parish authorities do
it. how can they make the said parishes pay their
pro OF the debt of Louisiana existing at the date
of the cession?" do not wish to be misunderstood
to say that the Legislature of Texas would
have the power in either to enforce collection
Of tax to meet the debt in questi' am not pre-
pared to go far upon the limited investigation
have found time to give the question, but do say
that the power of the Legislature. in eth case. Is
extremely questionable and involved in the greatest
doubt. High legal authorities may be found both
sides of the question. pledge is direct certain
and uuambiguous; the power is extremely doubtful,
and to the extent OF this doubt the State Of Texas
would If the proposition contained in this bill
accepted, in my judgment, become bound to the |
State Of Louisiana for that portion Of her public |
debt which should be paid by Caddo and Desoto
parishes.
1 do not believe that your honorable body contem |
plated, when Passing their BILL any such contingency
ENHANCEMENT of Texas, in any event. in an obi
cation to pay any portion of the public debt of Loui.
sana
Another consideration occurs to me as one which
objects Of this bill The State Government in LOUISE
ana is believed almost universally to have been forced
upon the people of that State against ,ir will and
wit out their consent.
That people, for years past. have maintained an
b roic, but most unequal struggle for the right of
self-government, and, far without success. They
have been, amt now dominated by rulers not of
their choice and BY taxation amounting to confsca.
tom have been reduced from opuence to bankruptcy.
hall Texas by treating for the cession OF this terri
tory acknowledge the legitimacy of the present
Government OF Louiaana. and when the people of
that State have voice and give consent, and
make protest. receive one twentieth of her
uatOn and large portion of her territory The blood
and bon-s Of the of Texas and Louisiana are
mingled hundred battle-feds, where, in com.
mon cause they stood side by side and sh ,uder to
shoulder. and died like heroes together. Shall we,
forgetu Of the sacred ties of the past and the gor
history Of Louisiana, and of her magnificent men
and noble women now tn It bondage and food and
famine upon them, join hands with their oppres-
sors and help to despoi them? know tn L your hon
Or ible body feel as I do, and will answer this
question l would. I appreci tie the ties
Of neighborship, of blood and kindred and COM
merce, which bind the people of the Eastern border
Of Texas to those the territory proposed to be
nexed but uggest that were better to wait before
acting on tn subject until government acknow-
sdged by the people of Louisiana to be legitimate
and VIII CHI can truly represent them is IN existence
before prosecuting 1t further. believe it to be
act of simple justice to the people of Louisiana do
his. Texas, who ferressly guards and asserts the
lights of the States, shall not be pa ty to the blow
which will he stricken the state right doctrine when
,ver the existing State Government of Louisiana
ha be acknowledged rightful and constitutional In
his day of political Element and disquietude
egard the constitutional guarantees Of the right Of
elf government to the States the sheet anchor of
American liberty and the attack upon that right in
he State of Louisiana in the overthrow Of the chosen
of her people and the erection of another
its stead against their consent and protest the
most dangerous assault ever made upon it, and believe
hat you will agree with me in saying that Texas
houd take action which by any construction can
e held an endorsement Of it. ,
Very respectfully, RICHARD COKE
CONDENSED MILK-THE CRESCENT BRAND.
This brand of preserved milk is rapidly
reftinu into very uenarai uSe and is hirblv