The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-06-16
MEMORIAL.
To the Members of the Senate and House OF
Representatives. Of the State Of Louis'-

versity, with request that the same be
duly considered before action is taken on
the subject:
The Legislature of Louisiana in 1852
passed an act establishing the State Sem
mary of Learning and locating the same
north of Red river, within four miles OF
Alexandria. The purchase of land was
made under legislative authority, and
paid for out of the funds arising from the
sale of public lands donated by the Gene
raj Government for the purpose of estab-
fishing Seminary of Learning in Louisi-
ana. The buildings were constructed Oh
this land, and the domicile of the Seminal
ry permanently established in Rapides
Parish, which domicile remains up to
date unchanged.
After the destruction of the Seminary
building by fire in 1869, the school was
opened in the City of Baton Rouge, the
State allowing the use of the buildings of
the Deaf and Dumb Asylum for that pur-
pose. 1t will be remembered that while
the school was thus removed from Rapides
Parish to the City of Baton Rouge, that
the domicile that was established remain
ed in Rapides Parish, and it was in the
Courts of this Parish that all suits against
the Seminary had to be brought. Since
1869 there have been two unsuccessful at
tempts made by our members in the Leg
islature for the rebuilding and reestablish-
ing of the Seminary on its former site and
at its proper domieile.
The opposition to this measure arose
mainly from the fact that the State was
not in such financial condition as to au-
thorize the expenditure of the money ne
cessarE to accomplish this result. Recog
nizing this fact, and fully approaching
the embarrassed condition of the State,
the people of Rapides have quietly sub
mitted to the action of the Legislature,
with the hope that the State of Louisiana,
under an honest and good government,
would soon be enabled to make the neces-
sary appropriation to reestablish and re-
build this State institution in a manner
that would reflect credit on the State, and
to carry out the object and purposes of the
General Government in making it's gener-
Gus donations of land, thea funds arising
from the sale of which were to remain for
ever as a trust fund for the support of the
State Seminary of Learning. After a
lapse of seventeen years, from 1869 to the
present time, we now believe the State of
Louisiana has reached point in progress
and prosperity that would not only au-
thorize but in justice require her to take
active steps in rebuilding the Seminary,
which will not require such exaggerated
appropriations as have been represented
by some Of those inimical to the measure.
AS refutation of this argument we beg
leave to call your attention to the follow
ing report of the commission that was ap-
pointed under concurrent resolution at
your last session:
REPORT.
Under date Of Alexandria, April 9th,
| the committee appointed by concurrent
resolution of the General Assembly spe-
cial commission to estimate the cost Of re-
building the burned college building in
Rapides Parish belonging to the State
Seminary and Military Academy, to fur
nish for information the prices of building
material at said place, and such other in
| formation as may he pertinent to the sub
iect of rebuilding said college edifice, and
| further to report as to the value and con-
dltlon OF the property belonging to the
State at that place, respectfully report as
| follows:
1. To rebuild the college building on the
plan and scale of the original editice will
cost the sum 0f$68 900. The estimate your
| commissioners have made upon the state
ments and calculations of expert mcchan-
les, one of whom was the chief workman
employed in the construction of the Origi-
nal editice, and includes everything ne.
cessary to render the building thorough.
ly complete and ready for occupation
| 2. Cost of Material-First class yellow
pine lumber delivered on the grounds will
cost SO per thousand; bricks made on the
! STOuuu W LII CUSU pi pcI IiiOUSduu. LII ttl'
dition to the facilities there can be had an
abundance of skilled and unskilled labor
at reasonable rates.
| 3. Your commissioners have made q
careful examination of the buildings now
standing on the property of the Seminary
and while we fOnnd their condition Civ.
ing evidence of the long years of neglect
aud ill-usage, they still are of cOnsidera
bic value, and with moderate expendi
ture for repairs could be made as valuable
as ever. These are four in number, two
wooden and two brick. The latter are
very substantial and commolious struc.
lures, and could easily be placed in first.
class condition. To thoroughly repair all
the buildings now standing the sum OF
$1,000 will be required. The lands belong.
ing to the Seminary comprise about sec
acres, large portion Of which is covered
with a growth of excellent pine. The
lands, with the buildings now standing
thereon, your commissioners believe and
report to be worth the sum of 500, 900.
F. SEP,
President Police Jury.
G. w. BOLToN,
B. TURNER,
+. NJ. RAXSDALE,
DENNIS MCMANNUS.
We reSnectfnllv call yonr attantiOn in