Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-05
MESSAGE GOV. KELLOGG
The Fin ,ncial Condition Of the State.
Rites of Taxation, sc.

New Orleans, January L. Governor Kellogg's
message to the legislature thanks the citizens of
other States, notably Massachusetts,, and the
General government for aid in the season of ov-
errhow. lie says 10 the year just ended the re-
ceipts have been nearly equal to the expenses, the
rate of the State and city taxation has been large
y reduced, and for the first time for many years
not one dollar hiss b5cn added to the public debt,
which on the contrary has been sensbly reduced.
The rate of taxation has been reduced II II
mills. In the recent election the people formal
" approved the financial policy of my administra-
ton and ratified each of the constitutional amend
ments submitted to them by vote much larger
than that cast for either of the party tickets
placed in the field l believe the effect of those
amendments on the financial future of the State,
cannot be otherwise than most beneficial, as the
source from which the greater part of our burden
some State debt has sprung, namely the issue of
warrants year by year in excess of revenue is
thereby forever cut off. Previous to the ratiiica-
ton of the funding law by the people number of
creditors OF the State awaited themselves of its
provisions, and now that the binding force of the
law is placed beyond question: presume that
most of the other creditors will come forward to
find their bonds Gov. Kellogg suggests that
the finding board hereafter be composed of the
of the annually elected Presidents of the Chamber
of Commerce, Cotton Exchange and merchants OF
New Orleans ex-oifcio, together with citizens of
known standing selected by Them recommends
hat the funding of the debt and obligations be
regulated by law in such manner to enable
the officers of the state and all tax PAYERS and
creditors to resist the funding of any illegal evil
evidence of debt.
In conclusion, Governor Kellogg says
"Iou caenot be unaware that throughout large
portion of the State a condition of anarchy and
violence has more or less prevailed for some time
past, and that the laws have been disregarded,
ed, blood been she'd and the constituted
authorities have been displaced by force
In the interests Of the whole people let me beg Of
you to take immediate measure to secure the en-
forcement of that obedience of the law, without
which no civilized community can prosper. No
amount of mlsmanagement, no oppressive taxa
ton, no nsurpation of Office if such there be, can
satisfactorily explain to the people of other com
munitics, the fact that there is less security for
human life in Louisiana than in almost any other
State of the Union. That grave crimes are COM
mitted and go UNPUBLISHED of justice, the criminal
often having the sympathy of the community, that
assas snation for political reasons prachsed and ap
plauded, and that in the whole of northern Loui-
siana there is scarcely town where peaceful in
dustrious citizen from another State could open
| " proclaim himself a republican and be permitted
lestation. So long as lawlessness is known to
prey all, our railroads will remain unfinished and
capital and emigration will seek other fields fol
investment. The great need of Louisiana il
peace. The evils complained of are infinitely less
Injurious to the credit and prosperity Of the State
than the sanguinary riots which have marked oui
history during the year and let me add gentlemen
by way of warning, that when, as we have recent
" seen IN this city, that the very children taught
by the example Of their elders, are permitted to