New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-07

power of the executive. Many acts are
passed through the General Assembly
which are, in the main, wholesome and nee
| essary, but often contain some one or more
Objectionable features. In such cases, as
| the law now stands, the Governor must
either waive dis conscientious objections to
| certain sections, or else, by vetoing The
whole, retard or defeat legislation which
| may be beneficial. This difficulty may, |
think. be removed by giving the executive
the power to veto any portion of bill
which he deems Objectionable and approve
the residue
| NORTH LOUISIANA AND TEXAS RAILROAD
| BONDS.
| Since tho adjournment of the Assembly
| 576 bonds of $1,000 each have been issued to
| the North Louisiana and Texas Railroad
| Company. The validity of the act author
izing this issue was questioned and the
matter carried to the Supreme Court, where
q decree was rendered favorable to the
company and sustaining the validity of the
| act. Under that decision considered that
| l had no discretion in the premises, and the
| bonds were therefore issued. 1t is true that
| the Supreme Court decided, in another case,
| that the executive can not be compelled by
| mandamus to sign bonds, and by proper in
ference can not be compelled by mandamus
| to discharge any other duties The princi
pie, if well founded, is open to serious
abuses and should be resorted to only in the
last extremity. The executive should not
wait, in the execution of the laws, of which
the Supreme Court is the constitutional in
terpreter, for compulsory writs from the
courts. Under the besG legal advice OBJ
tainable and in the conviction that the de-
cision of the Supreme Court was imperative
as far as my functions were concerned, the
bonds we're signed and issued. If there was
IL
ration at all, that is a question which your
honorable body may properly consider and
act upon in whatever manner is deemed
advisable.
BONDS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS TO STOCK
Numerous applications have been made
to me to subscribe stock authorized by
previous acts of the Legislature or to issue
bonds authorized by statute; and having
determined that the interest of the State
required that should refuse to bind the
State by anv new obligations, gave public
notice that would not subscribe any stock
or issue any more bonds unless compelled
by court Of last resort
ASSESSORS AND TAX COLLECTORS.
The assessment and collection of the reve-
nue. is attended with large unneces-
sary expense, and yet it is not efficient, it
being estimated by well informed persons
ludU tHcIc rs luO DtbIC AOU lCeb
than $50, 100000 of taxable property which
is not assessed at all Your attention is re-
spectfnlly called to the subject in order that
you may, if possible, devise means whereby
some, at least, of the present cumbersome
and costly machinery may be dispensed
with, and more general and correct assess
ment secured. ! see no reason why the as
sessment and collection may not be made
by the same officers. A reform in this par
ticular alone would result in saving to.
the State of more than 100000 annually.
Or if it lie thought desirable to continue two
sets OF officers for assessing and collecting
taxes, l would recommend that in the par
ish Of Orleans, at least, the assessments for
city and State be made by the same officers.
The fees and emoluments of tax collectors.
especially in New Orleans, should be great
~ reduced. l earnestly hope this matter
will receive your early attention.
STATE HOUSE.
recommend the immediate repeal of the
act passed during the session of 1871, rela-
tive to State House, and that the purchase
of land on which to build the capitol be de-
clared void.
MONOPOLIEs.
The subject of monopolies should receive
your earnest consideration, and efficient
action should be taken, in order to remove
=
of these corporations have become very
oppressive in their exactions, realizing
enormous revenues at the expense of the
commercial welfare of the city and State.
LICENSES.
Ii the funding scheme proposed sue
ceeds fully it is fair to assume
that in short time values, and
by consequence, assessments, will have
appreciated SO much that without increas.
ing the rate of taxation on property we
will be enabled to dispense with the present
onerous license tax, which being a tax on
business and industry. should be removed
as soon as it can be safely done.
THE STATE AsYLUMs
A careful investigation is needed int the
management and condition of the deaf and
dumb, the blind, and the insane asylums
At the latter institution the patients are
reported to be in pitiabe condition, with
out sufficient food or clothing. ! trust this
will at once be remedied.
ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS.
transmit herewith the official reports of
the various State officers required by law to
report to the Legislature through me. Mat
ters of grave Importance aye treated in
several of these communications. The |
Board of Health make number of recon-
mendations on subjects committed to their |
charge, WHICH snOulu nave your attention..
GOVERNORS CONTINGENT FUND.
transmit report showing the purpose |
tor which the contingent fuLd appropriated |
to the use of the Governor has been ex.
pended.
REGISTRATION AND ELECTION LAWS.
The registration and election laws should |
be carefully revised, and probably an en-
tirely new registration will be found neces- |
lvy in RI ,,bo %bo
registry books, which are in a very disor- |
dered condition, show about $4,000 voters,
when it is evident the correct nun Der must |
be many thousands less. Every possible |
safeguard should be thrown around the |
ballot box, and the manner in which cleo |
tons are to be held should be removed |
from even the suspicion Of possible unfair |
ness. recommend that the present law |
be 90 changed as to render the compensa-
ton of supervisors, clerks and commission |
ers of election a charge upon the parish in |
which the election is held, instead of upon
the general treasury, as at present.
THE ABSENT MEMBERS.
During your last session, owing to unfor-
tunate political complications, several men,
beers OF the Legislature absented themselves
during the entire session. l commend the |
action OF your body in not declaring their
seats vacant or seating contestants.
The status OF the present State gov
eminent is beyond question. Its author
ity is recognized by tie highest political
power of the nation and By all the courts, |
State and federal. All the officers of the
city and State hold commissions and exercise
authority under it. There is not now, nor
has there ever been, the slightest chance of
any other government being recognized.
The laws passed by your body, whatever
may be the difference of opinion regard
ng its legal status, will be binding upon
Ill the people Of the State, whether those