Louisiana capitolian., 1880-01-24

stitntion, which confers the power t,
liquidate the debt Of tho city and chang
its charter.
A duly empowered permanent syndi
cate Of competent citizens and capital
lists might acquire all the outstanding
bonds OF the city for o sum bearing PR,
per proportion to their current inarke
value. Such III agency, endowed with
full legal authority, placed in control o
the interest tax, might, 10y refunding ol
otherwise, so reduce tho debt Of the city
that u tax Of two mills would suffice to
pay all interest.
| The existing plan Of funding might be
successfully Continued under such Synl.
icate IN conformity with the cOnstit,l.
tiOn, II deemed advisable.
The enormous present indebtedness OI
the city was in large part contracted
without tho appreciation Of tho holders
of tho real estate, on which 1t operates
as u line. Much Of 1t was contracted In
u spirit OF cxtravagance, without regard
to necessity, public interest or the
resources Of citizens. Under M expei,-
sive scheme Of municipal government,
imposed by uniriendly hands, exorbitant
taxes have been levied on assessment
far above actual values, and correspond
ing expenses were incurred. Deficiencies
IN revenue have taken the form Of certi-
ficates or warrants which have been
bought Mt large discount and converted
into bonds
As u further and equitable claim for
the relief ut your hands, which the con-
stitution authorizes, 1t may be reinen-
bored that the greater part Of tho city's
now funded debt was contracted when
the paper currency was only worth sew
enty to eighty-iivc cents on the dollar in
gold.
| CRY CHARTER.
Article 25i also gives authority tO tho General
| Assembly to change the form, Of government 0f
of tho city of New Orleans. The now limitation
TO municipal taxes demands corresponding re-.
duction Of the expenses Of tho city government.
A modification Of tho charter reducing the nun.
bcr Of officers and their salaries In proportion to
the new Tux rate seems 10 be strictly necessary.
Our now constitution cuts of nenlly half tho
expense of State government. A similar rcduC.
tion in the expenses Of city government will be n
welcome relief to Taxpayers. long period has
elapsed since the people Of this city have been
| able to express their viii and choice respecting
their form of municipal government That abil.
ty should now be given by presenting them with
u new charter, carefully framed, retaining all
| good features Of tho present charter with suCl,
others as may be deemed wise and appropriate.
The chief object Of any new charter should be
| to preserve and guarantee 10 tho ctizens Of New
Orleans MI the privileges Of municipal selfgov.
clrment which they have heretofore enjoyed,
| without II nbatcnlent or new conditions. Any dini.
| mutton OF their chartered rights, any infringe.
mcnt of their ancient and customary privileges,
| would be Nh arbitrary exercise Of State power In
violation of the spirit Of our representative In.
sttutoDs. While the amount of tax to be levied
| for municipal purposes IL limited the general
disposal Of the proceeds should be left 10 mum.
cipal government chosen by its citizens. Expert.
cnce proves TINT tho large cities prosper most
when relieved from the restraints Of external or
superior authority. | am confident that Now
Orleans will not bo ail exception 10 the rule, and
that, while obcying aud sustaining the govern.
mcnt OF the state ~ IN duty bound. her citizens
will gain by being relieved from special lcgisla.
| two Interference.
In thenbsclce OF any constitutional guarantee
| IL will bc wise for tho General Assembly to give
ample scope tO municipal authority and to refrain
from nll restraining legislation not strictly lie.
cossary or manitest)y cxpc,liont. The prosperity
| Of New Orleans IN identified with that Of the
| State at large, and this community of interest
demands friendly md consilemto action from
the state government. If your Legislation pro.
notes the progress, developes the business, In.
! crrnscs the wcn|th and maintains tho guod name
OF this metropolis, she will repay your solicitudc
| In coming years by her increased contributions
| to tho State treasury and by giving improved
commercial facilities No MI parts of Louisiana.
CRlELI1Es IN PUNISHMENT.
While revising the criminal code of tie State,
ask the General Assembly to direct their atten.
ton to the manner in whicl, tho death penalty IL
| now inflicted. When criminal iortcts his life
under the law as penalty for atrocious crimo
the law ought to hc satisfied fully with tho TAX.
ing of the life. All needless pains and horrors
| IN taking the laws victim should bc avoided.
The torture of execution IL no part Of the penalty
and to that extent II Is unnecessary, illegal and
nhumane. From tho moment capital sentence
| IL passed upon criminal u the moment his life
is taken, all inhction Of suffering upon him is
| unwarrantcd cruelty
Many ways are known to modern science by
| which instantaneous and certain death TO CAPT
tai fnlon may he caused by means in reach of
every executive officer of the law. For the sake
OF humanity and deCcnCy. IN enlightened code
| should prescribe some other and leps barbalo,la
method OF execution than that of stranglng the
| culprit to death with r0pc---a method often at
tcudcd with prolonged and intense suffering to
the victim Forfeiture of life satisfies in full tho
awful tribute demanded by the law Previous
and in addition to this all inNcton Of pain is IN.
| Just and inh,nnnc.
Some enactment seems requisite fOrbddng
| cruelty to convcts undergoing penal scrvitudc.
Such convictH ought not TO be deprived Of sulli.
cicnt wholesome food, pure water, pure air, sea
| sonabe, decent and comfortable clothing, suta
| bic sheltcr natural iepose and nj proper times,
| rpliviuiIu ~ ct vh
has forfeited His liberty for specified period as
m expiation for violating the laws of his coun.
| try, docs not forfeit the right 10 resume that
| liberty when tho terms Of penal service expires
without damage 10 his physical constitution or
any avoidahe mental or moral injury. Prison
discipline tl,|Alls but half ts function when II
fails to favor tho reform and Improvement OF the
| convict.
Local.. HOME RULE.
advise tho General Assembly To do all that
Hes In their power within te limitations of tho
constitution, to foster and encourage the spirit
ot local home rule among our parishes and cities.
| Very many of the details Of government belong
properly to police jures or such other local nll.
thoriies as may be duly established. Not only
| should tho State government be relieved of these
minor cases, but the people In their primary or
| themselves and 10 administer their own local
atlnirs. Too much government Is plovcrbially
IN evil. II each State IL left to the exclusive
management of its own affairs M u State, and
each political division Of n State il left In like
manner to the management of It's own local and
special affairs, that evil will be greatly mitigated
REVISION OF STATUTES.
1t is for the General Assembly to determine
whether revision of the statutclaw of the State
will be necessary before the close Of its second
session in 1889. II deemed requisite u proper
provision should be made, authorizing or clccting
commissioners of revision, prescribing their d,l.
ties and providing for their salaries and expenses.
| CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
Under article 81 appropriations are authorized
for the support Of the asylnms for the insane for
the deaf, dumb and blind and the charity hospi.
tails and public charitable institutions conducted
under State authority. For information respect.
ing the condition and requirements of these