The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-05-19
MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR.
WHAT THE HIGHEST OFFICIAL IN THE
STATE SAID IN SUBSTANCE
TO THE LEGISLA-
TURE.

|
The people of Louisiana have cause
to be thankful for many blessings dur
ing the past two years. While in some
portions of the State there have been
failures in crops, in nearly every other
portion the returns from her soil have
been lavish.
The health of the State has been
unexampled and we have been spared
pestilence and disease.
The levees are in better condition
than for many years past and we have
had no inundation.
Public schools have increased in ef-
ficiency and there has been an awak'
ening all over the State to the inpor-
lance of education.
The interests of agriculture have
been encouraged and new and improv-
ed agricultural implements introduced.
Burdens of State taxation have been
reduced by an advancement in equali-
cation of assessments.
Public order has been maintained
and public peace preserved and there
has been no unusual commission Of
crime. Property, life and liberty have
been preserved and protected and JUS
,ice has been speedily administered.
There has been revival in mechani-
cal, industrial and commercial pursuits.
The financial condition of the State
has greatly improved in the increase
of assessments and certainty and full
ness of collections of taxes. Notwith-
standing the general depression in bus
mess, material interests have so ad-
vanced that there should be no fear
of deterioration or retrogression.
Our diversity of agricultural pro-
ducts, mild climate, richness Of soil,
facilities of transportation by water
and by rail our unsurpassed natural
resources invite alike immigrant inva-
lid, pleasure seeker and capitalist.
The Governor further says the ne
cessities of the State will require an
increase of revenues and advises that
Licenses be increased and so graded
as to realize a revenue of 100000.
This, with the general fund tax, will
be ample for the expenses of State
government, and says the interest on
constitutional bonds will always be
paid. Bonds should 60 to par and the
credit of the State be as good as any
in the Union.
He recommends the establishment
of industrial colleges for females -
Says railroad companies in making
freight rates discriminate against New
Orleans; advises legislation to regu
late these and other evils; thinks rail
road commissioners advisable; also
says there is necessity for creation O.
+ an insurance commission.
: On the subject of labor troubles thu
q Governor says: 1t is natural with in
creased means of knowledge and ad
, vanced education among workingmer
! for them to organize to protect labo
against organized power of accumula
ted capital; but the real sufferers il
these contests have been the grea
body of people-travelers, shippers
:, retail dealers, and in fact the entir'
,, community becoming victims. Whil
- labor should receive protection from
great, powerful, and sometimes merci
less corporations, yet they should lear
to respect the rights of others and no
- deprive the laborer of the means O
supporting himself and family simpl
y because 10 his particular case he ca
:. give efficient work at less cost tina
= one belonging to labor organizations
= Great destruction of property and III
terruption of communications have ia
" hicted all incalculable amount of dam
age upon the community. 1t shout
be the object of Legislation to remed
). these evils, TO discourage interruptio
" of travel and commerce and to proven
= the destruction of property and impel
} ling fife. | recommend such legi'
!, lation as will create board of arb
u tration to settle all differences betwee
corporations and their employees; wi
;. suggest that parties to controvers
appoint one each and the Governor b
q authorized to appoint an umpire to Ell
J force by stringent penalties the awar
~ of arbitration, and also to make it
=, crime for anyone to interfere with an
lahorer in the proper discharge of hi
70 duties on account of the wages he
j. receiving, or on account of his not b'
n ing attached to any particular organ
p cation, or to interfere with, interruE
!, Or obstruct any railroad train.
y should be the object Of this legislatio
to compel corporations to do justice
Q their employees and to prevent thos
n arbitrary and tyrannical acts whic
have heretofore driven labor organizs
g tons to desperate efforts to protet
d their members from oppressive act
ond in ronaro1 tn ancouraoa arhitrs