The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1894-05-19


other Senator, the day for his formal
election beng fixed for next Tuesday.
Gov. Fosters Message.
The Legislature of the State of
Louisiana met in Baton Rouge on
on Monday, May 14th. Gov. Fos-
ter's message is very long, and has
numerous recommendations Of
needed legislation. We give only
q synopsis of the most important:
Since your last session two years
ago, I have visited many parts of
the State, inspecting in person the
public service and the workings of
the various institutions, SO as to
enable me to speak largely from
personal knowledge of their condi-
tons and requirements.
It is gratifying to state, that not
withstandine many reverses of our
people, and the general depression
of business, consequent upon the
financial crisis of 1893, together
with the low prices of many of our
agricultural products, in the main,
Louisianians have much less cause
to complain than the citizens of
their sister commonwealth. In
deed, it is safe to say that there
has been a smaller percentage of
unemployed persons in our midst
during the last winter than in any
of the other States of the Union.
Our present condition is attribu-
table, not only to the wonderful fer
tility of our soil and the varied re-
sources of our State, but likewise
to a spirit of enterprise, industry
and trift which prevails among
our people.
He recommends the improvement
and increased appropriations for
the Blind, Deaf and Dumb, and
Insane Asylum, also for the Chari-
ty Hospital, State University, Nor
NAL School, and Soldiers Home.
Important suggestions relative
to the Militia, Board of Health,
Quarantine, shell road, Basin Ca
nal and Agricultural interests are
also made.
The States finances are treated
at length and shown to be in q
splendid condition. OF the $I2,-
124, 700 consolidated bonds issued
under Act 3 of 1874, q matter of
81, 313, 299 have been retired by the
Board of Liquidation, at a cost of
only $904, 790, leaving the present
indebtedness $11, 262, LAG.
The qualifications OF electors and the
election laws should not be confused; the
former belongs to the fundamental or
organic law, while the latter should be
regulated by statutory provisions. The
qualification of franchise within the past
two years in this State has provoked
much discussion, and has been the fruit
full source OF many theories. The follow
ing restrictions have been advocated and
discussed: 1st-The educational qualifl-
cation. ID - The property qualification.
3d-The educational and property quail
fication. 4th-The payment Of poll tax.
9Th = The educational or the property
qualification. OF these qualifications /
favor the educational or property qualifi-
cation ito be able to read, or else own at
least 500 worth of property But the
Constitutional Commission, composed Of
public spirited gentlemen, have submit
ted in addition to the educational or
property qualification q poll tax qualifl-
cation, and / call your attention to the
action Of this body.
The constitution OF 1879 permits for
eigners to exercise the right Of franchise
upon declaration of their intention to be-
come citizens. This provision Is, in my
opinion, fundamentally wrong.
But OF equal, II not greater Importance
IN the safe conduct OF public affairs V the
law regulating the exercise Of franchise.
The preservation of our free institutions,
and the welfare Of every commonwealth
lie in the purity OF the ballot box. On
the laws governing elections and their
maintenance rest the success or failure OF
the whole American system Of govern
ment. When q State clothes the citi-
xens with the high right Of franchise it is
it, duty 10 protect him in the full. Tree
and unrestricted exercise OF that right. I
strongly urge upon you the adoption Of .
Law looking not only to the free and I'M
trammeled exercise of the right OF sum
rage, but law securing the declaration
of the will of the voter by fair count
Any law by which the popular will can be
freely expressed, faithfully recorded, and
the result correctly declared, will receive
my approval.
Az first step in this direction, ! REQ
ommend the passage OF law legalizing
general primary elections, and throwing
around them the same sanctity and SAFE
guards AZ in regular elections. This 70
no experiment, but has been subjected to
successful tests IN other States.
In the place q the five Circuit Courts
that now exist with their quota OF ten
Judges, be says: / would recommend .
modification Of the present system by the