The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-01-04

the results obtained. Your first duty will be to
make an superintendent OF representation which
shall be equal and uniform on the basis of the
population of the State as ascertafned BY
Ibis census. As you will perceive by the
instructions issued by the State Registrar, every
precautlon was used 10 secure thorough, fair
and accurate census Of the State. In the ap-
continent OF the officers to whom was coDhded
the duty Of making the enumeration, care was
TAX n that both political parties should be repre-
sented. Whenever errors omissions were
properly pointed out the State Registrar immedl-
ately took steps to rectfy them. In two or three
cases the census OF the ward or parishes Where
irregularities were supposed to exist was retaKen.
believe this to be correct representa-,
ton as it 10 possible to arrive at OF the actual
population of the State.
Then ensues this reference to the Returning
Board
REGIsTRA ALTON AND ELECTION LAWS.
Section 81 OF act No. 155 Of 1874, which is the
existing registration law, provides that the decl-
sion of the supervisor or assistant supervisor on
all questions Of erasure from or addition to the
registry shall be fnal and prohibits any appeal
the old regis tration law, and it has been re-
tanned, presume, by inadvertence in the amend
ed law. 1t is manfestly unjust, and l
recommend Its repeal. The new regis tration
which has been effected throughout the state
| under the provisions OF this act appears 10 be
generally satisfactory, except in the city OF New
Orleans. careful revision of the registration
lists throughout the State, especially in New Or
leans, should be made before the next general
election, but do not think it necessary that the
State should incur the large expense of a new
Registration.
The present election law has been severely
| critlclsed, especially the provision regarding the
Returning Board. This feature OF the election
law has been upon the statute books for several
years, and was preserved aud Incorporated INTO
| the election law approved November 20, 1872. 1t
Is urge d by the advocates OF this law that the
power should be lodged somewhere to set aside
or challenge bly, fraudulent election at any
| poll or precinct ut which it should be clearly
shown that on account OF violence or fraud there
had been no true expression Of the Will OF the
people, and that the maintenance OF this right Is
especially Just and important in this State where
| armed bodies OF men have at times by violence
prevented fair expression OF the will of the
voters and where at lea one-half Of the voting
population are weak, tinlld and VIGOROUSLY nom
| combatants On the other hand, the most serl-
GUS objection urged against the law is the
political organization Of the board, and the
| danger OF an assumption of power for
| partisan ends not warranted by the law or
1 which, il warranted, should not be conf, IRE d
| upon any body absolute III power as this board
| is claimed to be. l trust You will give these OBJ
jactions your earnest ana careful consideration.
| 1 appreciate the d faculties growing out OF the
| wide divergence OF oplLlou VII ca are likely 70
| prevail in the General ASSEMBLY fegaI ding the
election law. What is ce-sary, in the interests
OF the Sta at large, Is a cain and dnpasslouate
ons leration OF The whol sub je It, and an hon
| est effort to come t. some satisfactory agree
ment.
! All profess to desire, and all should desire, an
election Jaw Snl h will secure tar expression Of
| the will OF the peops, ana protect every ba.iot-
box And every sutfragsn IRON fraud or violence.
l | feel Confident that -uch election law can be
| agreed upon by your body curing the present
| 1t ss!on. [ will cheeriullv give my approval 10
any law that will cure fair cleo ion and Inspire
| the people Of the state with confidence that The
purity Of the ballot-box will be maintained
| CONCLUSION.
The concluding paragraphs are as follows
| Iagain relterate that the great need OF Louisi-
| ana Is peace-peace and the enforcement OF the
| laws, with the active concurrence OF the people
| Tor whose protection the laws are dylsed. The
lynchlEgs, ncendiary fires and assassinations
| winch have recently been perpetrated in three or
| four parishes Of the State are a warning and a
| mena :e to capital and labor to avoid this the
| most productive state OF the South. There Is
| 10 excuse from any point OF view for the
awless proceedings in several parishes
which have recently disgraced the State.
The courts are everywhere open for the trial Of
offenders against the law. The executive and
judicial officer of the State have been at all times
| ready to axe proper measures for the removal
and punishment Ut any State or parish official
guilty of malfea-ance III Office. No instance can
be cited where any charge OF that kind mas been
specifically made from the parishes referred to
murderOus violence to avenge real or imaginary
injuries, the enemies, not the friends, OF Lou
islana.
Capital and emigration waiting upon our
borders statistics, prepared with care and eX-
actness, now lying before me, indicate that the
crops of cotton, sugar, rice and fruits, raised IN
the tate OF Louisiana, duilng the past year,
largely exceeded $4,000 600 in value while, for
the first time in the history of the state. the crop
of corn has been equal to all home demands,
leaving a large surplus for expectation
What State in the Union, with similar
area Of cultivated land can show a
like result from equal expenditures
With capital insured against excessive taxation
by the funding law and constitutional amend.
ments it now only re ts with the citizens them
selves to give to immigrants the assurance that
their civil rights will be respected, that Their lives
and property will be protected by the laws, ano
that no social ostracism will be visited upon then
| on account of political opinions, and the State
will receive Influx Of la0Or and capital which
will increase it's prosperity thousand fold.
On national politics, he thinks the material in
terests Of the State will commit her to hare
money and protective tariff, "the policy of thu
party having control Of national affairs
In conclusion, gentlemen, permit me to sa,
that rel. implicitly upon the solemn pledge
adopted by the General Assembly during the ex
ira SCI sion IN April asst, to accord to me hence
forth ''All necessary and legitimate support il
| maintaining the laws and in advancing the peac,
and prosperity of the people OF the State, and
confidently look forward to your cooperation dur
: | ing the coming session IN all measures tending
. to still further tighten the burden OF the people
and to still further enforce economy honesty ant
efficiency in all branches of the public service.
GIVE HIM CHANCE