New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-01-05
MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR.

MESSAGE OF THB GOVERHOR.
| The message transmitted to the Legls
lasure which yesterday assembled is more
important than any gubernatoril docu
| ment that has ever been laid before
Louisiana Legislature. II is almost sot
much to ask of che opponents Of the p.esen
I administration Q careful and impartia
perusai of this State document But what
theis prejudices may deny, their purses
! may accord in the way Of attention and
conviction. Tho rate of taxation has
been reduced twelve mills. and this in the
face Of Che fact that previous Legislatures
had left legacy Of heavy obligations tina,
have been met and provided for:
The message opens with illusions 70 chs
disastrous cfeyasses that have swept away
the productive industry Of large portion
Of the State. The aid received from other
States is freely acknowledged, and to
| Massachusetts is offered the gratitude OF
| the State.
! The coliectioH Q! taxes for the past yeaz
| shows . small deficit, but the depressed
I condition OF all business will sufficiently
I account TOT this.
The yecomm ehdation 20 the effect that
the funding board should be composed OF
the presiding officers Of the Chamber Of
Commerce, the Merchants Exchange. Che
Cotton Exchange and two other citizens,
calls fof immediate action.
That portion Of the message suggesting
the abolition of fees es attaching to clerks
Of court. portwardens, -four inspectors,
hay inspectors and harbor masters should
claim the i'm mediate action of those who
represent the taxpayers of the State. by
virtue O. he il promises of reform. AS a
f''-..ner mea sure of reduction of expendi-
lures, the General Assembly is asked to
scrutinize its own expenses, and to cur
tail its force of pages and clerks.
The whole message is fraught with sug-
gestions of economy, and leaves to the
Legislature no chance for evading the
pending issues Of material reform.
In relation to the levees the views of the
Governor are practical and aim at re-
storation of thorough levee system by
equable taxation and national aid. The
duty of repairing old levees, which his
excellency would impose upon riparian
proprietors. is more than compensated by
shipping facilities and the saving of
Wharfage. While acknowledging the i'm
portance of railroads and the lamentable
fact that this material adjunct to COM
merce is at present in allegiance, the Gov
ernor calls attention to the impossibility
OF further subsidy or State aid in any
shape. The mes sage, as will be seen, adj
vocates principally retrenchment and re-
form. While his excellency by no means
ignores the great enterprises that would
swell our commerce and restore the State
to prosperity, he yet points out clearly
AID forcibly that the interests Of the
State can only be subserved by obedience
to law, economy and energy. Honesty
and thrift alone can do the work. .Finan-
cia. tact and the genius for conducting
great schemes of internal Improvement
may answer when the finances are flourish
ing, and the resources Of the country ready
for development. 1ut the Governor wise.
ly recommends economy, leaving to energy
% accomplish the rest, as capital will I'M
come at the call OF a State
whose expenses are less than its collec.
ions. The looping off Of superhuous |
officials. and the reduction Of fees and |
salaries will meet with determined oppo-
ition. It remains only for the represent
atives who have proclaimed their inten-
ions of reform so loudly to verify their
promises. This they can do by sustaining
Governor Kellogg. and by carrying out
lis wise counsel