The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1880-01-28
ALEXANDRIA, La, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 49, $780,

tant that can come before yon. The
constitution has decreed a low rate Of
tax; it remains for You to provide tl,a'
sucl, tax shall be fairly assessed and
fully collected. For this purpose re-
command the creation Of a State Board
of Equalization, to consist Of the Audi
tor Of Public Accounts, the State Urea
surer, the Secretary of State, the At
torney General, aud such other mem
bers as may be deemed advisable, en-
powered and required to adjust and
eqnalize the valuation of taxable pro-
perty throughout the State and secure
the payment of taxes upon all proper
ty rated at its actual value. The con-
stitution having fixed a low rate Of
taxation, it becomes vitality necessary
that all taxable property should pay
it's full rate.
HOMEsTEADs.
Article 2l9, which exempts from,
seizure and sale homesteads aud Othe,
specified property, requires that such
exemptions, in order to be valid, shall
tie set apart aud registered as shall be
provided by law. Article 22O more
expressly requires the early enactmen,
OF laws for the setting apart, Valuation,
and registration of such property
The wise and liberal provisions Of the
constitution respecting homesteads
ought to be made available by prope,
and timely legislation. These exemp,
tions ought to be a strong induccment
to laborers and men oi limited mean.
to become owners of the land, OIL
which, their labor mag be in part EN-
plOyed, which will contribute greatly
to their contentment and industry,
aud to their stability and value AZ
citizens.
PUBLIC EDUCATION.
Article 229 makes it the duty Of the
General Assembly to provide for the es-
Enlistment, maintenance and support
of free public schools throughout the
State, by taxation or otherwise. After
careful estimate of the sum required for
the support of the State Government
and other constitutional demands, and
of the rate of tax necessary to secure
such sum, you will be required to as
| certain what further rate of tax, within
the limit fixed by article 200, ought to
be assessed for public schools and other
educational purposes, to provide for the
thorough collection of such tax, and to
prescrib, the manner in which the pro-
ceeds thereof shall be distributed to
each parish. The absolute require
ments of the debt and Government of
the State will absorb SO large part Of
the proceeds of six mills tax rs to
leave an inadequate provision for school
purposes; but If school funds are faith
fully applied under the direction of pa
risi. boards of education as provided in
article 225, the benefits of instruction
will, to some extent, be brought within
the reach of all children in tile State.
RESULTS OF HONEST GOVERNMENT.
Three years ago, after five years of
war, and eleven more years Of extrav-
agance, malfeasance, corruption and
despotism in her public affairs, the
Stare resumed self.government and
installed a patriotic chief magistrate, a
capable corps Of executive officers,
learned and honorable judiciary, and
legislators who knew the wants and
reflected the will of their constituents.
In view of the impoverished condition
Of the people, the State Government
for three years has diligently studied
economy and reform, while seeking to
do justice to all classes of citizens. =
Legislation has aimed at the public
good, the laws have been impartially
and faithfully executed, while purity
and justice have marked the conduct
of the judiciary. Peace has been re-
stored throughout the State; the jeal-
ousy Of races has been allayed; conf
dence in homo government has been
restored; industry has been encour-
aged and public schools have prosper.
ed-all because the Government has
been true to the people. Tie State,
crippled by misrule, loaded down with
public and local debts, and overshad-
owed BY the gloom Of a prolonged per-
iod of general distress, has been pre-
served from greater evils and taught
to hope for restored prosperity. These
results attest the patriotism and vindi-
cate the motives Of our conservative
citizens and 1efute the ISLANDERS OF their
political foes.
The wholesome result of wise and
impartial government is especially dis
cernible in its influence upon the col
ored population of the State. Since the
Inauguration of the era of fairness and
justice that class of citizens have borne
themselves with commendable respect
for authority and obedience to law. "a.
Relieved from the interference Of de-
ceiving and intrusive adventures, they
have shown increased confidence in
their neighbors, greater reliance upon
the protection of the law and a COM
mendable desire to improve their con-
1ition by industry. Their intercourse
with their fellow-citizens is marked by
good will and growing friendship,
while they are learning that just, wise
and frugal government is 4 boon to
them as we'll as to all Others. I, hope
that honest and liberal government will
continue to be heartily and universally
seconded by the people in every way
and that no complaints of unfair deal
ings shall be heard from any quarter.
/ have made this special reference to
cOlOred labOrers OIL account of the de-
sire to emigrate which has of late taken
possession Of the minds of this class in
some sections of the South.
Many hundreds have left their native
homes in search Of unknown fortunes
among strangers in a rigorous climate,
where employment is hard to get and
subsistence expensive. Others are es-
ger to follow, despite the destitntion
and sickness which their predecessors
have found in new and int,ospitable
country, inferior in all comforts and
advantages to that which they left.