New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-05

appropriated for the same purpose. but
want of back revenues devotable +, the
purpose has caused it hitherto to fail.
Meantime the appropriations for current
expenses require some more thorough pro
visions to secure their payment. In the
iet general appropriation bill certain
revenues were set apart, which are regarded
as too contingent in their nature to be re-
lied upon as source of economy.
The vast amount of sickness and suffer
ing which this institution relieves and the,
necessity which exists in this climate, pas.
ticularly in times Of epidemic OF providing
for the effective treatment of the poor and
homeless, render liberal appropriation fo1
the Charity Hospital eminently proper.
/ also call your special attention to the.
present condition Of the Insane Asylum,
and its unfortunate inmates, and urge an
immediate appropriation, in advance of
the regular appropriation. for their relief.
l am informed that great suffering exists
owing to the want of the proper means of
| warming the building, and that there is a
strong probability of losing experienced
| nurses because of unpaid wages. The
buildings are very much in want OF repairs
and recommend that measures be taken
to put them in proper condition.
The asylums for the blind and the deaf
and dumb also require prompt and liberal
aid.
AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE.
The Louisiana State Agricultural and
Mechanical College is now in the second
year of its existence. The design of the
acts of Congress has been as closely follow
ed as was possible with the limited means,
yet it can scarcely be called an agricultural
or mechanical college in the true sense of
the word. Until suitable grounds could be
procured in the country, which would draw
representation of pupils from all the par
ishes for the study of agricultural science,
it was thought best to secure q mechanical
school or college in the city. Grounds, how
ever, have been purchased below the city,
forming part Of the historic battle-ground,
and the college, with the aid of tr1fling
expenditure, will soon be in condition to-
remove to it's new location. where practical
agriculture will be added to the present
course, which embraces now agricultural,
chemistry and the kindred sciences. The
federal donation can not be used for the
purchase of lands or erection and
repair of buildings. The buildings already
on the ground, with inexpensive additions.
will answer the purpose for the present.
A proper appropriation for cost of removal
and some extensions and repairs, is needed.
and if this be granted, the annual appro-
priation of $4,000, for completion or ar
rearages of purchase, may be sufficient to
carry out the purposes of Congress.
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR.
Since your adjournment the State Auditor
has rendered his resignation, which have
accepted, and have filed the vacancy in
accordance with the provisions of article
seventy of the constitution. The practical
effect of the constitutional amendments,
restricting appropriations to current rev.
enues will, doubtless, in future, prevent
moet of the complications which the State
Auditor has heretofore had to contend with,
STATE CENSUS AND APpoRTIoNMENr.
In accordance with the requirements of
the constitution of the State, q careful
census has been taken by State authority
during the past year. l transmit herewith
the official report of the results obtained.
Your first duty will be to make an appor-
tionment of representation which shall be
equal and uniform on the basis of the popu-
lation of the State as ascertained by this
census. As you will perceive by the instruc-
tons issued by the State Registrar, every
precautiOn was used to secure q thorough.
fair and accurate census of the State. In
the appointment of the officers to whom
was contided the duty of making the emu
meration, care was taken that both political
parties should be represented. When
ever errors or omissions were properly
pointed out the State Registrar Immediately
took steps to rectify them. In two or three
cases the census of the ward or parishes
where Irregularities were supposed to exist
was retaken. 1 believe this census to be as
correct representation as it is possible to-
arrive at of the actual population of the
State.
REGISTRATION AND ELECTION LAWS
Section 81 of act No l55 of 1874, which
is the existing registration law, provides
that the decision of the supervisor or as
sistant supervisor on all questions of erasure
from or addition to the registry shall be
final, and prohibits any appeal to the courts
This provision was included in the old regis
ration law, and it has been retained,
presume by inadvertence, in the amended
aw. 1t is manifestly unjust, and 1
its repeal The new registra-
lion which has been effected throughout the
State under the provisions of this act ap-
pears to be generally satisfactory, except
n the city of New Orleans A careful re-
vision of the registration lists throughout
he State, especially in New Orleans, should
De made before the next general election
out do not think it is necessary that the
State should incur the large expense of q
lew registration.
The present election law has been severe.
y criticised, especially the provision re-
yarding the Returning Board. This feature
If the election law has been upon
he statute books for several years,
md was preserved and incorporated
INTO the election law approved November
70, 1872 1t is urged by the advocates of
his law that the power should be lodged
,OmeWhere tn act aside or chalIenoa q mol