The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1878-01-26
SYNOPSIS
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

1
Representatives .fs sfs
The circumstances under which
your present session opens differ Sc
greatly from those of the last few
years that they will attract general
attention arl give rise to universe
congratulation throughout the State
and country. A year ago you en-
tered upon the discharge of your re-
sponsible duties under difficulties
such as have rarely been encountered
by legislative body. Not only had
your deliberations to be directed tn
the correct solution OF problems OF
the greatest gravity and Importance,
but those deliberations had to be
conducted amongst the ieverish anxi-
cites which attended the temporary
struggle to resist your rightful au
thority. To-day peace and quiet
prevail throughout the State; there
exists strong feeling of hope anoug
| all classes in Louisiana. The situa-
ton is favorable for the prompt dis
patch of public business, and for the
calm discussion of the best mode of
administering the affairs OF State.
From information conveyed to me
it seems that the belief may be justly
entertained that all the warrants is
SUED for the year 1877 will he paid
from the collections made during the
year. The value of warrants for
1877 has ranged from 55c in March
to 995c in December, and finally par,
which is !. marked Improvement over
former years. This fact is largely
due to the reduction OF expenses and
OF the aggregate of appropriations
made by YOU at your last session,
and is an indication of what may be
anticipated from u like course in the
fu ture.
The bonded debt ia stated as max
ing total of consolidated interest
bearing debt, when funding shall be
completed, of Sli, 705 ,293 2I; which
does not include the unpaid interest
coupons due January, 1874. and prior,
aud outstanding interest warrants,
amounting in all 10 about 100000;
nor does it include the bonds com
monty known as the Property Bank
Bonds, which the Board of Liquida-
ton have decided to be not properly
fundable. sa
The assessment for the year will
be between SI76, 100000 and $780,
900, 600. The interest on the CONSOLE
dated bonds is To be paid from levy
OF 81 mills Oh that amount.
i The successful administration of
public affairs being materially de-
pendent on just assessment and
wise mode OF collection of the leye-
nue.. as well as upon the enforcement
of strict economy, the laws leading
20 tins end should be carefully re-
viewed am satisfied that the State
has not availed herself of all the in
strumenta.ities of taxation which lie
within her reach, nor has the system
for the enforcement Of revenue col
lection been as adequately provided
tor rs should be. There are objects
of taxation not included under pres
ent laws. This should be remedied.
There ought to be no more isriyileg-
ed property than there ought 10 pe
privileged classes. In one of our
sister States system of taxation
upon the sale of alcoholic and malt
liquors has been inaugurated as COM
monty reported with marked sue
cess. This system may possibly be
the source of adding to the revenues
OF the State, and thus eventually
tightening the burdens of direct tax
alton. Should it be determined on,
legislation for its enactment should
be framed with great care to avoid
constitutional objections, and In con-
sidering these questions the extent
and effect of the police powers of
the State over its subjects is TO be
taken in view. am of the opinion
that if such law be 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 connection | am OF the opin
ion that the surplus to the credit OF
the general fund is coDstitutionally
applicable and should be applied this
year. Ist-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 III taking up the same at the
instance OF the Board of Liquidators,
with provision for interest ON any
such advance fol the future, the in
terest, however, not to constitute u
debt, but to lie payable solely out of
the said surplus, if any. 2d-To the
payment of any advance heretofore
made by the Fiscal Agent to the in
terest fund. 3d-To the matured
and unpaid coupons of past years.
There is period between the end.
ing OF the fiscal year and the time
when appropriations are made du-s
ring which many necessary expenses