The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-01-23
ALEXANDRIA. La, WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY 49, 1878.

considering these questions h e
extent and effect Of the police powers
Of the State over its subjects is to be
taken in view.
I am Of the opinion that if such a
law he passed, any revenue to result
would have to be primarily passed
to the credit Of the general fund,
leaving the surplus to be applied to
the reduction Of the public debt
under the constitution. In this con
nectio1 / an of opinion that the sur
plus to The credit of the general
fund is constitutionally applicable,
and should be applied this year.
First-To any deficiency in the
current interest fund, if any should
take place, or TO pay any advance
which may be made by the Fiscal
Agent, in taking up the same at the
instance of the Board of Liouidators,
with provision for interest on any
such advance for the future, the
interest, however, not to constitute a
debt, but to be payable solely cut OF
the said surplus, if any.
Second-To the payment Of any
advance heretofore made by the
Fiscal Agent to the interest fund.
Third-To the matured and un.
paid coupons of past years.
There is period between the
ending Of the fiscal year and the
time when appropriations are made
during which many necessary ex
penses are to be provided for, and
legislation should be had to that
end.
The creation Of additional means
of revenue by any of the means
already referred to ought not to lear
to increased appropriations, predi
Gated thereon. On the contrary, il
would be vonr duty to keep dowr
appropriations to only absolutely
necessary current expenses.
The assessing and collecting law
happily devised By you at your las
session, whilst on the whole making
a great saving in expense, has beer
found cumbersome in some of it:
parts, and costly in others, and vii
require revision and remedy in these
particulars. The provisions as tt
the control OF property after for
fixture seem inadequate, and come
enactment as to power to occupy ant
lease Or sell the forfeited property
after the forfeiture has been ope
rated, appear necessary to rende
it an efficient instrument o
collection.
Legislation should also be had tt
authorize the sale of property which
has already absolutely vested in tn
State.
For the purpose of settlement b,
tax collectors they should be direct
ed to prepare a sworn and dupicat
detailed statement, showing nov
much they propose paying in war
rants, with description thereof, g
we'll as how much in money. On
of these lists to be deposited witt
) the Auditor and the other with tn
Treasurer. They should also b
compelled to settle within a shor
and specified time after the issue O
The order of the Auditor, under pen
atty OF dismissal.
l deem it my duty, in connectio
, with the financial affairs of tn
, State, to call your attention to TIL
, condition of the Consolidated Assc
| citation of the Planters of Louisian
, and the report thereon. The sal
+ ject is of Importance, and the cours
: which has to he taken in referenc
to it should receive the most seriou
f legislative consideration.
The situation of the affairs of til
| State and the condition of her cit
: zens invokes the most rigid ecol
: omy. No unnecessary Or usele:
5 expense or office should be above
: to remain.
t With only three, or it may /
f three and half, mills of the tot
n taxation to be applied to the gener
8 fund, if the burden of the people a
f to be alleviated, it must be done /
: curtailment, applied wherever it CT
e be accomplished, without hesitant
d and without reserve. The work
e efficiently accomplished by you
O your last session is indicative
e what you will do at this.
n The expenses Of the Gener
II Assembly merit consideration, and
c earnestly call your attention to the'
/ The marked diminution there