New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-01-07
rHr MESSAGE OF GOVERNOR KELLOGG.

THE MESSAGE OF GOVERNOR KELLOGG.
To comment upon this State paper in
detail would require its republication. 1t
is proper, therefore, to confine ourselves
to the spirit which it manifests and the
principles which it inculcates.
1. The message is remarkable IN the en-
tire absence of partisan feeling, and
breathes throughout subordinatlon OF
personal grievances or Of party revenge 10
the superior duty of restoring the busl-
ness and social harmonies Of the people.
It is very rare to see the message OF
Governor, and especially OF Southern
Governor, which makes absolutely no allu-
sion to the administration OF the federal
government, except as to certain great
measures of local improvement 10 which
the whole Union is interested.
2. The means of restoring the social
harmony so essential to the prosperity OF
Louisiana, is judiciously chosen. 1t IS TO
demonstrate that the Republican parry,
having an invincible majority in the State,
and sustained by the recognition OF the
federal government, can and VIII make
all the legal reforms which years OF party
strife and of unified rascality of all par.
ties may have imposed upon the people.
In these measures it will be seen that
Governor Kellogg has consulted the SEN
ti,nent of those most interested in the as
sessmenta and taxation of property. Taking,
as a basis, the financial reforms sug-
gested by the merchants and imam
ciers of the city, in the Chamber
of Commerce. Governor Kellogg boldly
recommends the repeal Of all contingent
liabilities within the reach of legislation.
the notification Of all engagements de.
clared void by the courts, and positive
reduction of the debt Of the State within
the means of the State. Tie precise rate
which distinguishes compromise from re-
pudiation is fixed by the Governor NJ
sixty per cent of our obligations. as ascer'
tanned by the process OF scrutiny stated.
We rather apprehend that the basis OF COM
promise is the rate the representatives of
the people are willing to assume on behalf
of the people. The inducement OF the
bondholder TO consent to reduction OF
his claim is somewhat Swallowed in that
phrase employed by the little boys in the
game called "club fist"-.''Take it of, or
I'll knock it off," The precise terms or
motive of the parties to this adjustment
are OF little consequence The most ann
portant facts in this connection are that
the property holders. taxpayers, and the
State government seem in harmonious &C.
cord on one side. while the holders OF
State obligations are represented to be IN
the frame Of mind attributed to "Barkis.
on the other. With such a preponder-
ance of interests combined in favor OF the
proposed measures. there is every season
to hope its success.
3. But there would be very little wisdom
in driving off one swarm of blue bottles. if
fresh and more hungry swarm is to sup
ply their places. Governor Kellogg,
therefore, proposes 70 burn out by actual
cautery, the very source of these IMPROVE
dent obligations. In this proposal, also.
he co-operates with the men having the
most interest in the welfare and progress
of this community. There is to be n limi.
tation Of the Legislative power to create
debt. There is an abrogation OF the
power to issue warrants beyond credits IN
the treasury applicable to meet these war;
rants, The excessive emoluments OF
Office, under which al incumbent who
could not earn one hundred dollars a
month by any profession. trade or calling
known to the law. sometimes acquires a
revenue of twenty or thirty thousand dol.
lars per annum. are to be cut down.
These are all measures suggested BY a
sense of duty in the executive OF the State.
Are they not, in temper and in sincerity,
an overture to those who constantly claim
that the government in other hands would
be more wisely and economically admins
tered!
Those who look a. the message in the
breadth of its principles or the knowledge
of it's details, will see that the State gov.
eminent is in the hands of an officer who
has devoted himself zeafously and ably TO
reform abuses and institute progress.
Even if many of those most interested in a
stable and kindly government shall con.
tinue to think of Governor Kellogs as an
Legitimate ruler, they can not but find in
the measures and documents of his ad.
ministration that he is as Voitaire said of
that greatest of English rulers: "Crom-
well-that usurpey SO we'll worthy Of
ruling"
The message Of Governor Kellogg
throws upon the Legislature . heavy re-
sponsibility. The mass Of the people re-
quire certain reforms of the laws. 4 very
large and influential portion of the Repub-
lican party desire to be relieva from an
odium which has been in great part cast
upon them by some who have reached
their gains and left their former political
associates to bear the consequences.
These Republicans are like others, citi.
zens of Louisiana; themselves and their
children are here to share whatever OF
good or of misfortune may befall !-ouisi.
ana. They expect the Legislature to re.
move the reproach which has been cast
upon the State and upon :he Republican
party.
Louisiana may truly say that be. moral