The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-08

the board Was convened In December, 1878,
for the purpose Of making q new contract.
The lowest bid offered was that Of George W.
Dupre, and he having simultaneously with
his bid produced the writer consent Of
Messrs Fazende and Seixas to become hIs
securities. the board, on inquiry and satisfac.
tory reply as to their solvency. accepted the
bid. On the subsequent presentation to the
Auditor Of bond with these persons as
securities, this officer disapproved Of the
securities, and so notified me. ] then re-
quested Mr.. Dupre TO inform me whether he
proposed TO offer additional securities, and
received q reply which was substantially to
the effect that he joined issue with the
Auditor on the correctness Of his conclusion
III other words, oonteDdng that the contract
was complete and the rights Of parties legally
fixed by 1t. The rejection Of the securities,
coupled with tho fact that no steps were
taken to test the action Of the State Auditor,
place matters In an embarrassing and anoni-
alous situation. The old contract. which, by
law, was to continue until the new one
should take effect, was secured as to Its
performance by the same securities that were
rejected for the new one, aud was ut much
higher rates than the new one. At the same
time that the bid Of Mr.. Dupre was received
there were two others reeeiv we'd, both of them at
higher rates than that of Mr. Dupre, but both
at rates exceedingly advantageous to the
State. These bids were not acted on by reason
OF the action taken on the lowest bid. When
the complication arose resulting from the re-
lection OF the securities convened the board,
with the object OF taking such action In the
premises as 1t would deem proper. An inter-
change Of views at this meeting resulted In o
resolution declaring chat the board did not
feel authorized to act In the matter, this
resolution being based on the Idea that the
State Printer Is q State officer, and that the
failure to give the bond required BY law
operated d vacancy In the Office, which should
be filled by the Executive under existing
laws. have the most serious doubt as to
the correctness OF this conclusion. J prefer
that you should dispose Of these doubts by
express action on tue subject. II the rights
OF Mr.. Dupre be fix sdas claimed, they should
be maintained under the contract as made.
Should you adopt the views of the board, and
SO inform me by resolution, will proceed
at once to make q contract under
reservations such as to guard the in
terests OF the State from an absolute contract
and at the same time afford an opportunity
TO the party claiming the contract already
made to test his rights. During the summer
had handed to me copy OF special report
Of the grand jury OF the parish Of Orleans,
In which the attention Of the law officers Of
the State was requested 10 be directed to GER
tain alleged overcharges for work done, and
asserted to have boen not legally authorized,
and for which warrants had Issued.
The report was submitted to the Attorney
General on bis return from temporary abb
sence with the request that he examine into
the matter and report TO me his conclusions.
He informs me, as the result Of an investiga-
lion made by him with the assistance Of ex-
ports. that he does not think the facts will
criminal prosecution against the
State Printer, and that whilst the report Of
she umpire shows larger amount claimed
han In his 1.-THE umpire) opinion was duo, that
here existed q difference OF opinion among
printers on the subject matter. He informs
ne that he intends testing this question ju-
licially and that In the meantime the war
ants will not be paid.
/ have the pleasure to report to the General
that Mr.. William w. Coreoran. o
much esteemed citizen Of the District Of Co
umbia, and a man OF great public spirit and
has, since your last meeting,
to the State Of Louisiana, through
Is Executive Department, large and fine
painting Of the battle of New Orleans, the
work of Mr. Lance, celebrated French
,rtist. This painting has been assigned a
temporary place in the State-House In the
lily OF New Orleans. awaiting it's final de-
Dosit by the General Assembly of the State
n some OF the State buildings or other public
place. / recommend that the thanks Of the
General Assembly, In the name OF the people
II Louisiana, be communicated to the phi
donor OF this acceptable gift
The reports OF the various heads OF depart
nents and public institutions having been
delayed, I shall probably take or
'asion, at some future day. to make to you
uch further recommendations as may be
ieemed necessary for the public well being.
Upon you devolves the grave duty Of car
wing on the work OF relieving the people OF |
his State from all the burdens consequent
poh oo uduy years ol ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, Oh /
the public faith, of the lifting up OF |
be standard OF this great commonwealth to
IS former condition OF prosperity and hap
mess. am assured that you bring to the
ischarge Of your constitutional duties high
ense of the great responsibility which they
ntail. The constitution, by which these du-
les are imposed and limited in many par
culars, will restrain you in your legitimate
esire to effectuate good for the people Of the
tate. The last General Assembly having
xperienced this restraint, sought to remove it
y submitting amendments to the organic
wv correcting many abuses which were be-
ond legislative control. The failure to
dept these amendments leaves open to you
ne entire constitutional revision as the only
measure Of entire relief. The
roper and opportune period is particularly
thin the reach Of your just decision.
hould, however, your judgment point to it's
pportunity before the next general election,
len 1t seems to me the earlier the necessary !
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