The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-01-16

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and in proportion as he improves hi
property, just in that proportion vii
his future competence be assured, and
2 community Of interest be established
between all classes. Patriotic citizens
and friends Of human progress every
W1ere have been a~nxlously looking for
ward through the weary years that fol
lowed the war to the establishment OF
harmonious relations between the races
on a rational and enduring basis. I am
glad to say hat the day when dem
agOgues of either race can stir up enmi-
ty and dissensiOn by appealing to the
lgnoble prejudice Of color is drawing
to a welcome close. White men and
cOlored men, native citizens and foreign
born, are becoming aroused to a Just
estimate of the baleful effects Of class
antagonism.
PUBLIC LANDS.
The public lands OF Louisiana offer a
tempting field to the emigrant. There
are over 100000 acres of State lands
available for cultivation. Three million
acres have been sold, and over 100000
acres remain now for sale. During the
past year $1,000 acres were sold. Four
hundred and thirty-one homesteads
have been granted since the passage Of
the homestead law. 1t is suggested
that the price of the State lands as
fixed by the first section of act No. 104
of 1871, namely: twelve and half cents
per acre, is too low. The intention of
Congress in donating this land to the
State Was that q revenue should be
derived from it to aid in building levees
and draining the swamp and allnvial
lands of the State. This purpose is not
attained. The price of tie State lands
might with advantage be raised to fifty
cents per acre.
Education.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
~ There are 100000 children in the State
of an age suitable for education. 1t is
estimated, at the present cost of the
public schools, So per head a month in
the city and SO per month in the country,
that 1t would require an annual revenue
OF 81 100000 to confer upon all these
children the advantages Of the public
school system. The school revenues
from all sources last year were 100000.
The income which might be derived
from the school lands is lost for want
of supervision. Several funds which
should be devoted to the support Of the
public schools have been improperly
diverted. | urge that Immediate meas
ures betaken to restore to the school
fund the free school bonds alienated
by act No. 81 Of 1872. Steps should also
be taken to recover, if possible, the
McDonogh fund, which was left as a
sacred trust to promote the education
of the children of the State. The re-
port of the State Superintendent of
Education which is herewith trans
mitted, gives full particulars of the
workings Of u public school system.
THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE GRANT.
By act Of Congress approved July 90,
1863, the general government gave to
the State OF Louisiana 100000 acres of
land scrip, provided the State accepted
it and applied the proceeds arising
therefrOm to the establishment of a
college to be devoted to the interests
of agriculture and the mechanical arts.
The State, by act No. SO, acts Of 1869,
accepted the donation and created q
to receive the scrip from
the United States and dispose of it ac-
cording to the provisions of the dOnat-
act. The scrip was sold and the
proceeds invested in State bonds; as
the interest accrued it was collected
and invested in other State bonds, and
this course pursued until the beginning
of the present year, when the aggregate
amount reached $4,000. To this may
be added Il years interest on this
amount, which is now due but uncollec-
ted. The commission holds these bonds
to the order of the General AS
Sembly. This matter must be acted
upon during the present session of the
for should the State fail
to apply the fund as directed by Con-
grcss, prior to July |, 1874, it will lapse
to the United States
1t is suggested that this grant might
be utilized with great advantage in
connection with the existing Louisiana
institution is now heavily in debt, and
very i~nsutficiently provided with &C.
commodatiOn since the destruction of
the University buildings at Alexandria.
General Topics.
EXCESSIVE EXPENDITURE.
The expenditures of the State gov
ernment have for years been much lar
ger than was necessary or justitiable.
The expense of the executive depart
nent ought not to exceed $4,000.
That of the judiciary ought not to ex-
coed $4,000, each parish being required
70 pay its W parish judge. Miscella-
leous expenses should not exceed
100000. The legislative expenses
not in any event to exceed $3.50
700, making the total expenditure of
5he State government ST. 0 600. I
earnestly urge upon You the impor-
'ance of combining your appropriations
this limit.
DAY OF ELECTION. -..
I recommend the correction of the
mistake or oversight by which the day
liked for general elections in this State
one day earlier than that of the
United States. The propriety of hold
ng our election On the same day fixed
n all the other States is universally |
conceded, and ! think we should CON |
sorm to the general rule.
MODIFICATION OF VETO.
also suggest a modification of the
veto power Of the executive. Many
tcts are passed through the General
whichar in the main, whole
some and necessary, but often contain
some one Or more Objectionable fea-
lures. In such cases, as the law now
the Governor must either waive
lis conscientious objections to certain
sections, or else, by vetoing the whole,
'etard or defeat legislation which may
Dc beneficial. This difficulty may, I
think, be removed by giving the execu-
i've the power to veto any portion of a
dill which he deems Objectionable and
approve the residue.
North LOUISIANA AND TEXAS RAIL
ROAD BONDS.
Since the adjournment of the Assem-
bly, SIG bonds of $1,000 each have been
ssued to the North Louisiana and Tex
Is Railroad Company. The validity of
he act authorizing this issue was ques-
and the matter carried to the Su-