The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1906-05-19
The Legislature i'm Session.

GOVERNORS MESSAGE IN BRIEF.
The General Assembly of the State
OF Louisiana convened In Batoi
Rouge last Monday morning, am
Governor Blanchard's message tc
that body has been the absorbing
theme for the week. After dwelling
upon the prosperity of the State, In
spite Of the yellow fever epidemic and
the short crop Of last year. the mes
sage devotes n good part to the dis
custom of the Governors plan foI
the reduction of taxes, the claim he.
ing made that the state tax can Ger.
tainly he reduced from 6 to tx mills
and possibly to AZ mills.
II this reduction he not made. then
he recommends that measures lie
taken to reduce the bonded debt al
the State, now about eleven million
dollars.
Recommends that the maximum
rate of parish and municipal taxa.
tiOn lie fixed at eight mills, instead of
ten an at present.
That asscssOrs and members of the
school board shall lie elected by the
people.
Favors the passnge of a cOmpulso-
ry primary election law.
Reviews the yellow fever work of
last year. praises the work done. and
recommends n penalty fer Quaran-
tines not sanctioned 10y the State
board.
Much attention Ia devoted TO the
State land question, and legislation
along several lines IL suggested.
The States money In In four sub
etantial banking institutions. and
the stat e derives n revenue therefrOm
of 81. 900 to $50. 900 a year.
No defalcxtiOns have occurred un-
der the administration.
Proposes needed amendments to
the Inheritance tax law.
Urges the passage Of mineral In wa
to prevent destruction and waste OF
the states mineral products.
IsecOlnmends laws to prevent de-
ftructiOn Ut pine and hardwood for
rests.
Lynchings are declining in Louisl-
ana. tie recommends prompt trials
in aggravated cases Of crime.
Roadl,eds, equipment and schedules
are declared to I've poor ON some of
the railroads of the State. He asks
authority for the Railroad commits
sinn to pat lines out of commission
which, refuse To better their property.
Jurisdiction Of the BOar,l Of Ap-
priners over ear service IL asked for.
Further authority for the Appraisers
TO tax sleeping car and express COM
panies Is asked.
Says steps have been taken to put
into effect the law under which the
state may carry its own Insurance.
Amendments To the game laws are
urged. Antitrust statutes are rec
commended. Attention is called to
the fact that anti-gambling and Sun
day law statutes are not adequately
enforced. Legislation ON good roads
IL suggested. Laws are recommend
ed to prevent the taking out of the
State OF timber In the rough. Timber
laws to prevent pine defoiestation
are urged. The Governor says the
State should encourage the develop
ment Of local life insurance companies.
Laws to prevent cruelty to animals
are needed In the country, he declares.
The message In one of the longest
documents ever sent TO n Louisiana
Legislature. and the Governor COM
pletely takes the wind ont Of the sails
OF his detractors by recommending
and strongly urging many measures
they have accused him of opposing.
InclOsing the Governor says: LET
us keep politics out OF this session;
let us rise above factions and parti-
What we do, let 1t he done
from the broad, elevated, unselfish
standpoint oi the States interests