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

pensatlon which should properly Oe
fixed, the same room for divergence
does not exist as to the system of
constructive mileage.
Burdens Of government result not
only from contribution levied for its
support, but likewise from indirect
sources, and this subject should re
ceive attention. Tue reduction of
fees of office, the prevention Of the
pernicious habit of ovcrcl,areing, are
all matters calling for adequate leg
islatiye action.
PARISH AFFAIRS.
In the regulation of the expenses
of parishes, as we'll as in some com
potent provision for the ascertain
ment Of their existing Indebtedness
you will doubtless find room for re-
quired legislation.
FUNDS.
The various funds placed subject
to my order at your last session,
have all balances to their credi ), and
an account of the disbursements
thereof will be hereafter submitted
to your consideration.
PUBLIC EDUCATION.
The system Of public education,
inaugurated under the provisions of
the act of 1S77,has been put in opera
ton with all the success possible,
considering the means at the dispo-
sal of the Department of Education,
crippled by the squsndering and
malversation of the school funds un-
der the former administration. The
State and Parish Boards have gwen
their best efforts to carrying out the
pledges made by our people Of estab-
fishing as far as possible common
school system in which the advanta-
ges of education should be equally
and partially afforded
The report of the Superintendent
will call your attention to what he
deems necessary.
LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY AND MECHANI
CAL AND AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The report Of this institution has
not vet reached me. l am informed
that it is in course Of preparation,
and it will soon be submitted to you.
There was considerable delay in or
ganizing this college in consequence
of litigation between the former
and the present boards, which litiga
ton has now closed favorably to the
latter. The monies which the col
lege is now receiving consists Of an
annual amount of about $l3 600, pay
able semi-yearly, being the interest
upon consolidated bonds formerly
belonging to the Mechanical and
Agricultural College. The institu
| tiOn has as assets 1876 State bonds OF
$1,000 each, and one city bond Of
$1,000. These bonds formerly be
onged to the University. The
board Of that institution constantly
declined to take any action looking
to tie funding Of these bonds, tax
ing the position that they represent
ed q trust fund and did not evidence
a debt in technical sense, and tina,
the State was bound in good faith
and under the constitution for theil
T whole amount. Whilst the boarr
vas taking this position the Legisla
ture on its part took no steps for ma
king provision for the interest on the
, same, and as result these bond.
have been for some years entirel,
useless. When the present boart
met it determined to take actio,
such as would bring this matter to
, test, and accordingly a resolution
g was adopted directing the Secretar,
3 of State and the State Treasurer
who were the joint custodians of th
e bonds, to present them for funding
to the Board Of Liquidation. Thes
: officers declined to do so on tn
s ground that their duties we're specis
and were defined precisely by th
law, that this particular duty wa
e not imposed upon them by the Law
i and that the board had no authorit
i to give their orders on the subjec
e The board then applied for writ {
y mandamus to force a complianc
n with their resolution, and after a
y gument and hearing the mandam,
o was issued and made peremptory,
It prayed for, and the mandate of tt
II court acquiesced in by the State Q
ficers. When the bonds were pr
Il sented for funding, the Board
! Liquidation declined to find them.
.. In consequence of this design I ha
If as President Of the College Boar