The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1882-05-13

appropriated to such purposes, but
citizens were found generous and pat
riotic enough to supplement this lack
and to offer their own private funds
for that purpose. The Governor urges
the adoption of new charter for the
city of New Orleans-an instrument
which shall be simple, econom ical and
effective. lie points out certain de.
tects In our judicial system which require
remedy, and touches briefly but forci-
bly, on various minor topics, such as
general State elections. militia, State
University, the State Capitol, health
and quarantine, back taxes, judicial
expense fund, etc.
OF course the topic of peculiar and
commanding Importance is that of the
States financial condition, the public
debt, and the collection and admin is.
tration of the public revenue; and with
this topic the Governor deals at length
and In terms which admit of no misin-
depreciation. He goes to the heart of
the problem when he states the un-
pleasant fact that our expenditures in.
variably exceed our revenues. Taxa
ton is limited, bat appropriations are
not. We have a constitutional limit
of six mills and known total assess
ment, and while there seems to be no
means of increasing either, no restric-
ton Is placed upon the amount of ex-
pen<'iture ordained by the Legislature.
The result of this incongruous aud I'M
| wholesome arrangement is conspicuous
~ expressed in our empty treasury,
our deprecated warrants and constant
ly increasing financial embarrassment
The Governor recommends, as reme-
dy for this ruinous and depressing state
| of affairs, a careful revision of the exis-
ting revenue laws and the enactment
of statutes that will subject all taxable
values to fair and uniform assessment.
The Governor also touches upon the
neglect of the Legislature to obey the
peremptory mandate of the Constitution
In the matter of providing a system of
equality and uniformity in assessments
throughout the State, and rather signi-
fcantIy reminds the Lawmakers that
they have sworn to render that obedi-
ence.
AS regards the condition in which
the flood has left the alluvial districts,
the Governor declares that the State Is
unable to build suitable levees, and
that the government must choose be-
tween performing that service and
Annn011x, foodivnD no R,11 v,1o
poverished thousands left destitute by
the overfiows. AS between the levee
and outlet systems, he takes the posi-
ton occupied by almost every intelli-
gentand unbiased citizens of the val
ley-he favors the levee system:
1t is gratifying to read the Cover
nor's well'merited eulogy of the Presl.
dents special message to Congress in
regard to the Improvement of the river
and the construction of levees, and let
us hope that the belief so confidently
expressed that Congress will assume
in the near future.
In his remarks upon the judicial sys-
tenn the Governor expresses the opinion
that juries should be judges only of the
facts, and not of the law and the facts,
as ut present, and he gives voice to the
sentiment of every intelligent person
when he declares, that ssthe test of a
good juror should not be want of in.
telligence, and that the jury box is
no place for ignorance, venality or cor
ruption."
1t is evident that the Governor re.
CARDS the Constitution of 1879 as a la
mentable failure. It is detective and
unsatisfactory in nearly every impor-
tant respect and, to quote directly from
the message, ga new Constitution would
be blessing"
The Governors views on this subject
demand the thoughtful consideration