Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1875-04-24
The Message.

opsis Of Governor Kellogg's message
to the extra session of the Legislature
from the Bulletin of April 10th:
Tho message of Mr.. Kellogg opens
with fluctuations on the adjustment
reviews the political history Of the
State. censurcs the disposition of the
Legislatures of late Yeas to subordi-
nate the material interests Of the
State to partisan purposes and pc
cuniary aggran,iizement. and points
to the consequences of mistakes and
wrongs, calling upon the General
Assembly to correct and remedy, or
alleviate them, and provide gusran'
tee that they shall not again occur.
The message refers to the adjust
men, in hopeful terms. regarding it as
. voluntary concession by each party
which promises peace, order and
confidence.
1t calls for a radical change in the
present mode of assessing and col
iecting taxes, which is described as
"cumbrous. expensive and unjust, "
recommending fixed salaries in lieu o.
fees.
1t recommends . general repea
of exemtions from taxes Of the prop
erty of wealthy corporations and
private citizens.
On the first of January the State
delinquent tax list amounted to
$4,264 900, of which $4,l00,0OO are
still due. The message recommends
that measures be taken to prevent
such delinquency. 1t suggests relic
from taxation of persons living in the
recently oserfowed districts.
Mr. Kellogg thinks that State
taxes, with proper measures Of re-
form. need not exceed the present rate
of fourteen aud a half mills. With
the constitutional limitation Of ex
penses to actual revenue, with taxes
reduced, with assessment equalized
be thinks the burden of taA may bt
easily and cheerfully borne.
Reduction of salaries Of Stat,
officers is recommended.
The message refers at some length
to the ex cess of expenses over reve
nues since 1865, tho excess being
added to the floating debt to the ex-
tent OF four or Eve millions. and notes
the effect of the constitutional bar to
say further increases of State debt.
Mr.. Kellogg refers at large to tb.
operation Of the Funding law il
terms intended for the eyes Of roli
ticixns abroad as we'll IS for those .
tho members of the General Assem-
bly,. He thinks this law aud th'
amendments to the Constitution vii
bar cxtravigant Legislation. He re
news bis recommendation Of change
in the Funding law. and suggests
further amendment which will i'm
power taxpayers and creditors of tn
State to resist the funding Of spur
Gus claims
Mr.. Kellogg states the public deb
to have been. in 1873, $24, ,623, ,4O7
aud claims that it has since been re
duccd by So, ,O65, 900. lie thinks ,h
expenses of the State should nc
exceed $9OO,OOO per snnum. an
those Of the Legislature $l5O.OOt
Parish judges. be thinks. should b
paid BY the parishes, and not by th
State.
Respecting New Orleans the mel
sage makes no specific recommend,
tions. but briefly reviews her deplor,
ble financial condition, and recon
mends the subject to the seriou
o consideration Of the General Asscn
0 bly,.
v The message advises measures f
; the removal Of restrictions on cor
8 mercc. and concludes with renewe
u expressions of hope that good resul
J nay flow from the action Of the Ge
y eral Assembly.