The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-01-11

PUBLIC LANDS
The report OF the Register Of the Land
Office has been handed to me, but Is still In
the hands Of the printer
The only suggestions that have to make
for the present In reference to this office, is
that before land patent reaches the Cover
nor for his signature, it shall be counter
signed by at least two officers, who shall
serve as checks upon each other and youeh
for the compliance Oh the conditions precedent
upon which the patent is authorized to be is
| sued. The form of the patent at present used
Is defective and should be altered.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Your attention Is directed to the question
OF the repairs of the State House in New Or
leans, to the insurance OF the same, and par
tfeularly to the selection of some eentra
authority controlling that building and the
| distribution of the rooms. No one knows
precisely who has authority to act or to what
| extent that auth GRITTY exists, and there ID q
| divided responsibility in regard to the build
ing which should be put an end to.
A proposition has been made by the Mechan-
les Association in regard to the Mechanics
Institute. That proposition will be submit
ted to you or to any committee whom you
will charge with the examination OF the rela-
tions OF the State TO that association.
The Supreme Court building being used for
State purposes, the costs OF repairs to the
same should be shared with the city; not to
an extent, however. of over $500.
PRINTING BOARD.
In pursuance Of the laws regulating the
public printing two contracts have been en-
tered into with Mr. Geo. W. Dupre for this
work. am informed by him that the whole
expense for printing, as also for furnishing the
offices Of the Auditor and the Secretary OF
State with necessary books, blanks and sta
tionery, will not exceed $4,000. / have TO call
your attention to the fact that you will have
to fill vacancies In the Printing Board, caused
by the expiration of the term Of service Oh
those members Of your honorable bodies at the
close Of the present session.
PENrrENTIARY.
| The lessees Of the PenteBtiary being In
arrears to the State to large amount, O sui
was instituted in East Baton Rouge, several
years ago against them for dissolution o.
the lease and for judgment for the rent Il
became an important question whether, dur
ing last year. this suit should be pressed fol
| trial as dissolution Of the lease would have
thrown the convicts on the State authorities
without any appropriation for their support
and guarding, and no direction as to theil
use, 1t was decided to allow matters to stant
as they were.
The possibility or probability OF this labo
being thrown back on the hands OF the Stat.
authorities should be contingently provided
for. The lessees offer to give collateral Sc
curity to secure the sum which they may be
adjudged to owe.
1t becomes matter OF legislative disere
ton whether the suit to set aside the lease b.
pressed or not.
The convicts are at work on the eonstruG
ton OF the New Orleans Pacific Railroad
work which has been energetically carries
ON In spite of many obstacles, and which 1t |
exceedingly important should be completed
As matters stand, though the State gain
nothing In money from her conviets, she is o
no expense for their support, and unless tn
system of employing the convict labor on th
levees be adopted, 1 think that the preser
arrangement should continue. l am nc
, aware of desire on the part of any one +
lease the Penitentiary should the presen
, lease be set aside,
MILITIA.
The report Of the Adiutant General will, q
soon as completed by the printer, be submit
ted to you.
recommend q complete reorganization c
the militia of the State and in addition
their general enrolment and organizatio
that the Governor should be authorized t
organize small militia force in each parish
which could be ready for service at o me
ment's notice. / think that the discretionar
power Of organization and alteration Of OF
ganization given to the Governor by existin
law should be continued.
By section eli act No At of the extra sex
sion of 1877, an appropriation was made {
10000, to be used by the Governor for th
benefit OF the militia. A balance of abou
900 remains to the credit of that appropr
alton.
A considerable portion Of the sum expende
was used In paying the guard at the cour
house building, rendered necessary by th
troubles of last year. The balance of tn
sum spent has been applied in purchasin
, arms and In paying necessary contingent 81
penses of the militia.
1 have been pressed to disburse the Who'll
amount for the same object, but, eonsiderin
the peculiar circumstances under which th
, appropriation was made, I did not think my
} self justified in so doing, having gone In tn
} use Of that fund as far as could. conscier
, tiously.
You will have before you, in the preser
altered condition of the State, an opportunit
of furnishing means for militia purposes, t
the extent your may deem necessary.
No one more than myself is DESTROYS to er
courage martial spirit in the State, and n
one has juster reasons to appreciate, recoa
! nize and publicly acknowledge how strongly
! deeply and periodically that feeling exist
among the good people OF this city and Stat
During the troubles through which Louis
ana has now happily passed, her sons coollJ
quietly, but steadily and firmly stood read
| tn onoort nd maintain aunn RI tho death TIL