The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-10-06
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coLFAx GRANT PARISH La, SATURDAY. OCTOBER s 1883.

Of the order Of tho Auditor, under
penalty Of. dismissal.
4 / deem il my duty, in connection
] with the financial affairs Of the State,
/ to call your attention to the condition
of the Consolidated Association Of the
Planters Of Louisiana, and the report
thereon. The subject is Of importance,
and the course which has to be taken
| in reference to it should receive the
most serions Legislative consideration.
The situation Of the afEhirs of the
State and the condition Of her citizens
| invokes the most riged economy. No
unnecessary or useless oxpeueo or Of
| Zee should b allowed to remain.
With 8, or may be 81, mills Of the
total taxation TO be applied to the
general fund, II the burden Of the
people is to be alleviated, it musf be
done by curtaflment, applied wrer-
lever it can be accomplished, WITHOUT
hesitancy and without reserve.
The expenses Of the General Aetenl-
bly, merit consideration, and / earn
estly call your attention to them. The
marked diminution thereof during
your last session, despite its ardu0us
prol0ngation, gives evidence that your
attention has been already directed to
the subject. The system of conapensa-
ton existing strikes me as erroneous,
4 If for NO other reason ct least because
of its inequality and indirectness.
While there may be differences of
opinion a. to the quantum Of c0mpen-
sation which should properly be fixed,
the same room for divergence does not
exist az TO the system Of constructive
mileage. =
Burdens Of government result not
only from contribution levied. for its
| support, but likewise from indirect
| sources, and this subject should re-
ceive attention. The reduction of fees
! Of Office, the prevention Of the perni-
cious habit Of overcharging, are all
matters calling for adequate legisla-
i tive action.
In tho regulation of the expenses Of
parishes, as well a. In some competent
provision for the ascertainment Of
their existing indebtedness, you will
doubtless find room for required legis-
lati0n.
4 The various funds placed srbject to
my order at your last session all have
balances to their credit, and an &C
! count of the disbursements thereof will
be hereafter submitted TO your con-
alteration.
Il The system Of public education. in
augurated under the provisions Of the
act Of 1877, has been put in operation
| with oil the success possible, cOnsld-
| ering the means ut the disposal Of the
Department of Education, 90 crippled
by the squandering and malversati0n
Of the echOol funds under the former
} administration. The State and parish
{ boards have given their best efforts t.
carrying out the pledges made by oul
; people Of establishing ~ far as posi-.
J bic : common school system In which
the advantage Of education should b
impartially and equally Afforded.
The Board Of State engineers, ere
y ated under act No. lao Of the extrI
session Of 1877, estimates that 1 49,
: 600 cubic yards will have to be bull
| in 1879 TO maintain the leyoes Of thu
! State in thorough order at present
! grade. This does not contemplate ths
closing Of the large crevAssts at Ash
ton, Diamond Island Bend, Glascock's
: Morgsnxa, Bonnet Caro- and othel
! points, nor docs It look to tho reclaim
Z ing Of new or abandoned lands, or &
ysIextendinR any interests 1t has refer
! ence to what IL strictly necessary TO
7 the protection Of industry and capita
9 now engaged. Il must be borne il
3 mind that the means which have to b
Z applied to the work of 1877 arc TIL
taxes collectable in 1879, and that the.
: have been nearly exhausted.
= The propriety Of, and urgency tor
J the protection Of the aIluviai lands o
the Mississippi by the General Gov
Iernmeut Is 20 manifest a. to requir
4 mo argument; bnt until il assumes tn
= lresponsib ility which rightfnlly rest
upon it, which thrust viii be 1t n
/ distant day, IL win devolve upon Ii
. State to provide ways and mcans to
& aHording the protection needed. Wba
q 70 do 10 difRcult problem. The divi
d sion Of the alluvial region into leve
i districta, and the application thorei
If i Of : tax on the productions 81 tho pro
y tected lands, il one of the means Dug
: rested., This plan IL said to have bee
4 successfully applied In Mississippi. 4
al Another mode suggested is the o.
= par,ixntion Of the Penitentiary cor
= victs % that their labor may be aF
piled 70 levee building. An estimst
', Of the probable annual cost Of such
Il system win be found in the report
q the Board Of Engineers- An obstacl
n Ito the adoption Of this system ct pre-!
t. ept il the existence Of contrast