The Colfax chronicle., 1904-05-21
Synopsis of Gov. BIancharJl's In.
augural Address.

augural Address.
The inauguration Of Gov. Newtor
c. Blanchard at Baton Rouge las,
Monday was brilliant and notable II
many ways. His address was sue
cinct and mastery, and showed ths
most thorough knowledge and grasI
OF the situation. 1t also showed ht
is going to be governor in deed as
well as name. His express and laud
able ambition to be the Educational
Governor of the State will meet the
hearty approval of every patriotic
citizen of Louisiana.
Gov. Blanchard makes education
and progress his watchwOrd and
countersign. He recommends to the
Legislature the issuance of a million
dollars worth of bonds, to run 40 or
80 years, at per cent, for building
school houses all over the State.
In order to legally issue such bonds
constitutional amendment will he
necessary, and 1t could he voted on
at thecOngressiOnal election this fall.
IL the bond issue should be thought
not advisable. he suggests that an
amount equaling that sum, accruing
from the rent of school lands, be set
aside and devoted to the building of
school houses where most needed.
He points out that the State is be-
coming immensely rich. More money
Is now diffused among the common
people than even in the halcyOn days
before the war. Louisiana is the field
Of opportunity for men of enterprise
and brains.
The Panama Canal assures COM
mercial supremacy to the great port
OF New Orleans.
The administrations of six Demo-
cratic governors were succinctly re-
viewed and highly cOmplimented.
Recommendation is made for a
special appropriation to encourage
the establishing of high schools in all
towns Of less than 5000, where the
people will help themselves.
A special institute fund of not less
than SIC, 900 per year is recommended
In strong terms, to he used In con-
Quoting teachers Institutes. A State
institute instructor should be chosen
salary for this work.
school superintendents is suggested,
so as To encourage the best men OF
brains to hold these Offices.
Instead of mills of the mill tax
being set aside for public schools, he
recommends increasing the allO vance
for schools to two mills.
n L.
and negro education very plainly
The negro shall have his rights. but
there must he no approach towards
social equality. Separate schools,
separate churches, separate cars. sep
arate places OF amusement, will be
strictly enforced. Racial distinction
and integrity must he preserved.
Attention Is called to the fact that
there is no place In Louisiana for ed
ucation of the deaf and dumb and
blind Of the negro race, and provision
for them is urged.
The General Assembly Is asked to
approach the question OF curtailing
executive appointments with a spirit
free from party rancor and prejudice.
Gov. Blanchard asks that Il Joint
be named from both BRAN
ches of 1.-THE Legislature to take up the
problem OF executive patronage and
work 1t out. This joint tcommittee Is
asked to ascertain II 1t he true, as Is
charged, that useless Offices and sine
cures exist under either the State or
the parish governments.
The existing primary election law
is pronounced entirely inadequate as
shown in the recent primary. 1t is
that new statute lie |
controlling and regulating
primary elections, and providing in |
part, at least, for the expenses of the |
same. Penalties should be provided
Tor persons found guilty of fraud or
bribery.
District Judges and District Attor-
neys should he elected at a different |
time than the State and parOchial |
officers. Separation Of judicial nomi- |
nations from other nominations |
should he enforced by legal enactment. |
The exemption of new railroads |
rom taxation for period of ten
years from the adoption OF the new
Constitution Is recommended to be |
for six or ten years, to furth- |
,r encourage construction.
The limit Of appropriation for col
eges should I've removed.
Governor Blanchard approves Gov
'rnOr Heard's plan for liQuida ting |
The old $11, COO, 900 debt.
A note OF warning is sent out to de-
aulting sheriffs and tax collectors.
They will be Instantly suspended.
Law and order must be upheld and
mob violence must not be tolerated.
The Blanchard administration will
,ay scant attention to appeals for
he pardOnfng OF criminals.
The change in the judicial system,
making the Court of Appeals CON-
,osed of two district judges, is be-
leved to be inadequate and some
hange is suggested. 1t is recon-
ncnded that convention of lawyers
rom all over the State be called In
satOn Rouge during the Legislature,
md that the recommendations of
uch a convention Of lawyers should
ave weight. !
His administration is pledged to
etter levees.
OF gambling, now occupying a wide
ange OF discussion in the General As
emily, Governor Blanchard says:
The Constitution of the State de-
ounces gambling a. vice, and ex-
ressly puts upon the Legislature the
uty Of passing laws to suppress 1t.
is not believed that the present ,
nti-gambling statutes are adequate,
nd their revision and amendment h
that should engage the at
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