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


parts, and costly in others, and will require
revision and remedy in these particulars. The
provisions as to the control Of property after
forfeiture seem inadequate, and some enact
ment as to power to occupy and lease or sell
the forfeited property, after the forfeiture
has been operated, appear necessary to rem
der it an efficient instrument Of collection.
Legislation should also be had to authorize
the sale of property which has already abso-
lutely vested in the State.
For the purpose of settlement by tax col
lectors they should be directed to prepare
sworn and duplicate detailed statement, show
rants, with description thereof, as well as
how much in money. One OF these lists to be
deposited with the Auditor and the other
with the Treasurer. They should also be
compelled to settle within short and speci-
fed time after the issue of the order OF the
Auditor, under penalty of dismissal.
/ deem it my duty, in connection with the
financial affairs of the State, to call your at
tention to the condition Of the Consolidated
Association of the Planters of Louisiana and
the report thereon. The subject Is of inn
portance, and the course which has to be
taken In reference to it should receive the
most serious legislative consideration
The situation of the affairs Of the State and
the condition of her citizens invokes the
most rigid economy. No unnecessary or
useless expense or office should be allowed to
remain.
With only three, or it may be three and
half, mills of the total taxation to be applied
to the general fund.- il the burden Of the peo-
pie are to be alleviated, 1t must be done by
curtailment, applied wherever it can be ac-
complished, without hesitancy and without
reserve. The work SO efficiently accomplished
by you at your last session Is indicative OF
what you will do at this.
The expenses of the General Assembly
merit consideration, and earnestly call your
attention to them. The marked diminution
thereof during your last session, despite Its
arduous prolongation, gives evidence that
your attention has been already directed to
the subject.
The system of compensation existing
strikes me as erroneous, II for no other rea-
son at least because of its inequality and
indirectness. Whilst there may be differ
ences of opinion as to the quantum OF COM
pensation which should properly be 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 sub
ject should receive attention. The reduction
of fees of Office, the prevention Of the PERM
cious habit of overcharging are all matters
calling for adequate legislative action.
PARISH AFFAIRS.
In the regulation Of the expenses Of par
ishes as well rs in some competent provi-
sion for the ascertainment Of their existing
indebtedness, you will doubtless find room
for required legislation.
FUNDS.
The various funds placed subject to my or
der at your last session, have all balances to
their credit, and an account of the disbure-
ments thereof will be hereafter submitted to
your consideration.
PUBLIC EDUCATION.
The system of public education, inaugur-
ated under the provisions of the act of 1877,
has been put in operation with all the success
possible, considering the means at the dis
posal Of the Department Of Education, Grip
pied by the squandering and malversation of
the schools funds under the former admins
tration The State and parish boards have
given their best efforts to carrying out the
pledges made by our people of establishing as
as far as possible common school system in
which the advantages of education should be
equally and impartially afforded.
The report of the Superintendent will call
your attention to what he deems necessary.
LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY AND MECHANICAL
AND AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The report of this institution has not yet
reached me. / am informed that 1t Is in
course of preparation, and it will soon be
submitted to you. There was considerable
delay in organizing this college in conse-
auence of litigation between the former and
the present boards, which litigation has now
closed favorably to the latter. The moneys
which the college is now receiving con-
sist of an annual amount OF about
S13,OO0,s payable semi-yearly, being the
interest upon consolidated bonds for
merly belonging to the Mechanical and Agri-
cultural College. The institution has as
assets 1856 State bonds of $1,000 each, and one
city bond of $1,000. These bonds formerly
belonged to the University. The board of
that institution constantly declined to take
any action looking to the funding
of these bonds. taking the position
that they represented trust fund
and did not evidence a debt in a
technical sense, and that the State was bound
in good faith and under the constitution for
their whole amount. Whilst the board was
taking this position the Legislature on its
part took no steps for making provision for
the interest on the same and as aresult these
bonds have been for some years entirely use
less. When the present board met it deter
mined to take action such as would bring
this matter to a test, and accordingly reso-
luton was adopted directing the Secretary of
State and the State Treasurer, who were the
Joint custodians of the bonds, to present them
for funding to the Board of Liquidation.
These officers declined to do so on the ground
that their duties were special, and were de-