The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1886-05-22
THE G0VERNoRIs MESSAGE.

The Governor's message is a lengthy
document and filed with many good
suggestions TO the General Assembly.
We would like to reproduce it in full.
but cannot for want Of space. The
General Assembly only meeting once
in two years, there necessarily viii ac-
cumulate more matter to be attended
to and require more lengthy docn-
ment
The Respondent ones of the country
should read this message and note the
many changes for the better, and in
stead of crying hard times, rejoice,
and thank God for the mercies He has
extended to ms and the many blessings
we have enjoyed since the last meet
ing Of that body. We have suffered
no great disasters, no great and fear
fnl tornadoes have swept over our
land no epidemic disease and no de-
struction by overflow. On the other
hand we have been blessed with bet
ter crops, educational facilities are
greatly improved, and in fact every
thing has an upward tendency. In
the matter of equalization of assess
ment the Governor says it has already
worked to our good, and is calculated to
work a great benefit to our taxpayers
by giving to the State standing it
justly deserves, that is higher valu-
alton on property and lower rate of
taxation. With all these blessings,
improved finances and credit we think
Louisiana has but little cause for com
plant.
The assessed value of the property
of the State has increased since 1880 |
to over sac, 900, yet the Governor
says a slight increase Of revenue is
needed in order to meet the full obi
cations of the State. He is however
favorable to collecting the needed rev.
enue from licenses. He thinks assess
ments have been more uniform in
valuation and thinks the opposition
to the State Board of Equalization
has almost disappeared and the public
he thinks recognizes the want of a
board of this kind. He fayors less
taxation on real estate and an increase
on personal property, but opposes an
increase in the tax rate. He suggests
the cost be lessened for the sale of |
property for its taxes. He suggests a
constitutional amendment allowing |
school districts to levy tax for its
schools. The public institutions he
pronounces in a good condition, and |
speaks of the State University being
enriched by the Expositions in gifts
from various sources to the amount |
of $4,000. He favors a railroad COM
mission having control over railroads
as commissioners in other States. He |
suggests the creation of Board of |
Arbitration. On this subject he says:
"During the past few years, and |
particularly during the current year,
there have been differences of Sc
rious nature between railroad corpora
tions and employees. The history of
these strikes is too fresh in the recol-
lection of all to need repetition. 1t is
natural with the increased means of
knowledge and the advanced educa-
tion among workingmen for them to
organize to protect labor against the
organized power of accumulated capt.
tai; but the real sufferers in these con-
tests have been the great body of the
people-travelers, shippers, retail deal
ers, and in fact the entire community
becoming the victims.
While labor should receive protec-
ton from great, powerful and some
times merciless corporations, yet it
should learn to respect the rights of
others, and not deprive the laborer of
the means of supporting himself and
family, simply because, in his particu-
lar case, he can give efficient work at
less cost than one belonging to labor
organizations The great destruction
of property and the interruption of
communication have inflicted an meal
cnlable amount of damage upon the
community.
1T should be the object Of legisla-
tion to remedy these evils, to discour
age the interruption of travel and
commerce, and to prevent this destruc-
ton Of property and the impcrllng
of life.
Article 1856 of the Constitution is
as follows:
1t shall be the duty of the General
Assembly to pass such laws as may be
proper and necessary 10 decide differ
ences by arbitration
In this article will be found ample
authority for all necessary legislation.
/ recommend such Legislation MS will
create Board Of Arbitration TO set
tic all differences between corporations
and their employees, and j will suggest
that the parties TO the controversy
appoint one each and the Governor be
authorized to appoint the umpire, to
enforce BY stringent penalties the