The Opelousas courier., 1902-05-17
The Governors Message.

The Governor message sent
to the legislature last Monday is
a very lengthy document, and
covers pretty much every subject
Of public interest concerning the
welfare of the people of the State.
AS the message is too lengthy for
reproduction in our columns-in
fact would fill several pages of
our paper-we take the following
comprehensive resume from the
n. 0. Picayune:
The metropolis, New Orleans has made very
rapid strides, and it is fast growing into the
superb aud mighty maritime. cnnksercial and
industrial center which its commail, <ag posi-
tion fOreshad0ws.
The assessed valuation OF property rs in-
creased from s278 $50 4O7 in 1900, to 1901 2l5222
i'll 1901.
The change from the system of leasing the
penitcutiary cOnvicts to state control has been
effected with gratifying success from every
point of view.
The auditors report shows an increase of S2l-
$685. In tho assessment of 1901 that Of the
previous year, this beng the largest increase in
the assessment OF any one year that has yet
been recorded in the states history. OF this in
crease the city OF NewOrleans furnished $6,741,-
953, and the country parishes Si7,S13,S64
Nnilb tle revenues Oh IUC Stdtc uHN6 &fD"u
rapidly the past two years, the demands upon
the revenues have also grown in like proportion,
and it will be necessary for the government to
continue the same conservative business meth
ods il we ara to live within our income.
A most pertinent and important suggestion
is made relative to certain amendments OF the
present registration law, which is as follows:
TO provide for a supplemental registration
of voters i'll the parishes tOrleans excepted),
during the months of August aud September OF
each year in which a general election for con
~ Il
made as directed for the registration OF voters
for general and state elections ~
The insurance companies have made an ex-
casslye and unwarran.ed raise i'll rates.
The legislature is urged to make liberal pro-
visions for the maintenance OF the public schools
The farmers Institutes continue to exercise
invaluable influence i'll the advancement Of the
interests of agriculture and III tine more general
adoption OF improved methods of cultivation
State Land Register Smith has SOLD or dis
posed of under the various acts "f the general
assembly, 470.034 8S acres, the gross proceeds OF
whifh, intending state fees, amount to Sl03, $685.
n.
The report of the adjutant general for the
year ending Dec. 81, 1901, gives an aggregate
strength OF 2,l76 officers and enlisted men avail
able Tor duty in the state National Guard.
The health conditions i'll the state generally
have been good.
A detailed and comprehensive +, port of the re-
sources, operations and conditions i'll the thir-
teen levee districts is given.
In reference to the State University, the gov
state are represented in the enrolment of stud
ents; that eight other states are likewise repre-
sented by twenty-five students, and that Cuba,
Mexico, Central America and Hawaii contribute
no less than tWenty-ono students.
The general assembly is asked to give liberal
aid to the State Normal School at Natchitoches,
the Industrial Institute at Rnston, the South
western Industrial Institute at Lafayette, the
Southern University and Agricultural and
Mechanical College at New Orleans. tho State
Deaf and Dumb Asylum, the Blind Institute.
A. TTNpHN ttnlr
New Orleans and Shreveport and the state
Izepea 6, HeIna.
The tonnage of vessels arriving at New Or.
leans until the let of March, 1902. q period of
ten months and q wv days, shows that ocean
vessels aggregatlng 944 298 tons have used the
public WhaTNes, and that the wharfage charged
these vessels has amounted to the sum OF $i44,-
Cos 73. an average OF 7.44 cents Per ton, as com
pared with the ratio OF IL cents per ton under
tt lease system; thus showing Il saving OF $685.
71G.03 to the shipping OF the port of New Or
leans.
The report OF the state bank examiner DIS
closes very gratifying condition of affairs in
circles throughout the state, Since December,
1899, no less than thirty new state banks have
been organized and opened for business, max
ing the total number now eighty-two.
The capital and surplus of these institutions
have grown during that period from "a 391 .371.-
rs to SIS 057 9G6, to the extent OF $685. 5S4 %.
They had on Dec. 81 last deposits amounting to
s23 S26 ,453 10, an increase III twenty zone months
of S6,896, ,f61. Oh
and the bank examiner be given authority to
supervise the homestead associations and carry
out its provisions,
An appropriation of 100000 is recommended
for au exhibit at the st. Louis fair.
In reference TO civil courts of appeals, the
governor says that the country parishes should
be formed into two circuits, the northern and
the southern, with appellate courts of three
Judges in each one, with jurisdiction extending
to all cases, civil or probate, when the matter
in dispute shall exceed 500, exclusive of inter
est, and not exceeding $1,000, exclusive of inter.
est.
The legislature is urged to consider the con-
grrssoEal reapportionmont carefully.
Under the terms of the constitution, the
present apportionment OF the state senators
and representatives ceases after the year 1902
| and il is made obligatory upon the present
| session to provide new apportiontnent for the
house and senate.
Governor Heard advised the formation OF
public road districts somewhat on the plan OF
| the levee districts, including the employment
| OF prisoners in the parish jals.
| The enactment of stringent antitrust law
is strongly recommended.