St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-05-13
FINANCES.
fErom the Governors Message. }

From the Governors Message.)
The State bonded debt exclusive of
'shaby bonds" now amounts to 81, 7S6
$50.
The amount of consolidated bonds
converted into constitutional bonds is
$19S,750.
The amount of consolidated bonds on
which the interest coupon due January
1, 1880, has been RENTED in accordance
with Art. 8 of the State debt ordinance
of the Constitution is $4,000.
The assessment rolls for the current
year have not been returned, as the
time has not yet arrived, and no taxes
to any appreciate extent has yet been
collected. But from the impressions |
have received, the financial condition OF
the State is the same as at your special
session in December last. But little it
any increase Of the revenues OF the
State will be derived from licenses.
| refer you to what was said in my
former message as being applicable to
the present financial difficulties. These
may be summed up in few words-our
expenditures exceed our revenues. This
ought to be speedily remedied. There
is no difficult financial problem to solve.
Taxation is limited by the Constitu-
ton to six mills, but there is no constl-
tutional limit to appropriations. The
General Assembly by making appro-
priations, can create debt to any ex-
tent against the State for objects en-
braced within its authority but the
Constitution virtually prohibits the
tax to be raised. The limit should be
upon the appropriations, and an ade-
auate tax should be levied to meet the
expenditures. The Constitution OF 1879,
is, unfortunately, too restrictive. Its
restrictions upon legislation are, in
many respects, unwise. 1t seems in
advance to distrust the representatives
Of the people. 1t encourages the want
Of confidence by presupposing that the
Legislature will enact laws transcend
ing the legitimate purposes for which
it was chosen by the people: In all the
relations of life it is essential to repose
confidence and to rest secure in the belief
that our fellow-citizens are honest and
trustworthy, There can be no higher
trust confded than that Of IA faithful
The legislator carries with him to the
legislative halls the most sacred trusts
that were ever confded to an agent.
To violate them requires u moral OBJ
liquity that is not likely to escape the
vigilance Of the people.
| think it is polite and wise to en-
trust the Legislature with more dis
cretion than is permitted in our pres
ent organic law. The necessities of
| the government as to the amount OF
appropriations and the tax to be lev
led to pay the same should be left to
the sound discretion of the General
Assembly. Ateach session the appro-
priation bill should be prepared, and
then the tax should be laid and an
amount ordered to be levied to meet
the expenses OF the government. To
do this Of course requires an amend
ment to the present Constitution.
The fable Of the Lion, the Ass and
Fox has moral quite applicable at the
present day. 1t is this: Better be wise
by the misfortunes of others than by
your own" How few heed the lesson
here taught. Each one seems to de-
mand misfortune before learning wis
dom. The young are too self-reliant-
friend who lately buried his wife, an
other looked upon his daughter the last
time. They both had been suffering
from chronic female complaint, which
finally resulted in death. They refused
to secure remedies that would effect a
cure. Your wife or daughter is suf-
fering from the very same complaint
and you know it. You do not secure
the medicine and they are gradually de-
clining. Does not the fate of others
stare You in the face ? Without delay
place them upon the use of English Fe-
male Bitters. 1t strengthens, regulates
and cures with prOmptness.