The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-01-10
.ur the penitentiary convlots, 30 that their
labor may be applied TO levoe building.
a.. ..all.., ~. II Ihn nt,ahnhln annual cost Of

Aha 1,anrd of Engineers. An obstacle TO the
sa,Ioption Of this system nj present Ia the OK
fatance of contract in reference 10 this labor.
which would have 20 he first set aside
# The convict force IL also engaged Mt present
in the construction of tho New Orleans and
Pacific railroad. tho Importance Of which Ia
thia State can scarcely be over estimated.
A third plan Ia continuation Of the present
ayHtam Of general taxation, Tho difficulty
which stands IL The way Of the latter fer the
eofninu year Ia tho constitutional restriction
upon tho extent of taxation, and the forced APP
nitcation Of the revenues 10 the expenses of
the year In which they were collected, coupled
with the fact that the levee taxes to he col
1eeted In 1879 have been already almost entire
Iy applied to the works now In process OF con
str1ietion.
public LANDS.
Tho report Of the Register of the Land
Office has been handed TO me, but Ia still In
the hands of the printer.
The only suggestions that have TO make
Far the present In reference TO this office. Ia
that before land patent reaches the Cover
nor for HE signature IL shall be counter
signed by at least two officers who shall
serve as checks upon each other and vouch
for the compliance of the conditions precedent
upon which the patent Ia authorized to be is-
sued. The form OF the patent at present used
IL defective and should be altered
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Your attention IL directed to tho question
pf the repairs Of the State House In New Or
leans. TO the insurance of the same and par
Huulary 30 the selection of some centra
authority controlling that building and the
distribution of the rooms. No one knows
precisely who has authority TO act or 10 what
extent that authority existH and there Is
divided responsibility in regard TO the build
ing which should be put nm end to-
proposition has boon made by the Meohan-
fcs 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.
lions Of the State TO that association.
The Supreme Court building being used for
State purposes tho costs Of repairs 10 the
same should be shared with the city. not to
an extent however. of over $4,000.
PRINTING BOARD.
In pursuance of The laws regulating the
Tnblc 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, IA also for furnishing the
offices of the Auditor and The Secretary Of
Mate with necessary books, blanks and sta
tionery. will not exceed $4,000 | have to call
YOUR attention TO the fact that you will have
10 all vacancies In the Printing Board. caused
by the expiration Of the torn of service of
those members of your honorable bodies at the
close cf the present session.
PENrrRNrrARy.
The lessees of the Pententary being in
arrears TO the State to large amount o suit
was instituted In East Baton Rouge several
years ago, against them for dissolution of
the lease and for Judgment for the rent It
became an important question whether, dur
ing last year, this suit should be pressed for
trial; as q dissolution of the lease would have
thrown the oonvicts on the State authorities
without any appropriation for their support
and guarding. and no direction as to their
use. II was decided TO allow matters TO stand
M they were.
The possibility or probability of this labor
being thrown back on the hands Of the State
authorities should be contingently provided
for. The lessees offer to give collateral Sc
curity to secure the sum which they may be
adiudced to owe.
n bacomes A matter of Legislative discre-
.,,,, ,shathar tho 81 1t 10 set aside the lease be
pressed or not |
The convicts are ut work on tho oonstrut- +,
tion OF the New Orleans Pacific Railroad
a work which has been energetically carried
on In spite of many obstacles, and which II is
exceedingly Important should be completed
Al matters stand. though tho State gains
nothing in money from her convicts she Is at
no expense for their support, and unless the
system OF employing the convict labor on the
levees be adopted, think that the present
arrangement should continue. | am not
aware OF desire on the part Of any one to
lease tho Penitentary should the present
lease be set aside.
The report of the Adiutant General will, as
soon as completed by the printer, be submit
ted to you.
. Irecommend complete reorganization of
the militia of the State. and in addition to
their general enrolment and organization
that the Governor should be authorized to
Organize small militia force in each parish,
which could be ready for service at a mo-
ment's notice. i think that the discretionary
power OF organization and alteration of or
ganization given to the Governor by existing
law should be continued.
BY section Of act No. ~ of the extra SEES
sion Of 1877, an appropriation was made OF
$4,000 to be used by the Governor for the
benefit of the militia balance of about
$4,000 remains to the credit of that appropri-
alton.
A considerable portion of the sum expended
was used in paying the guard at the court
house building, rendered necessary by the
troubles of last year The balance OF the
sum spent has been applied In purchasing
arms and in paying necessary contingent ex-
penses of the militia.
/ have been pressed to disburse the whole
amount for the same object, but, considering
49, v,.,o,,l,ar circumstances under which the