The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1908-05-16
Coy. RIanchard,s Message.


assembly of this state was read in boil
houses on Tuesday. It is documen
of unusual length, its full text filling
seventeen columns of the New Orlean!
1 Picayune in very small type, and only
a very brief statement of its most sa
lient subjects can be given in The
Chiefs limited space. The governor
reviews extensively The entire record
of his administration, recounts the re-
forms that have been instituted during
the past four years. and points Out
with clearness and force the many,
many Improvements that may be ac-
complished to promote the welfare oil
the people in the conduct of the state
government.
The more important recommends
tions in the message are summarized
as follows by the New Orleans Times
Democrat:
Reduction of the state tax rate from
five to four mills.
Reduction of the maximum paro-
ehial and municipal tax rate for all
purposes to seven mills, the city of
New Orleans not to be exempted.
Strengthening the law creating the
State Board of Equalization by en-
larging the board S powers.
Separation of the sources of state
and local revenues, relieving real and
personal property from state taxation.
Taxation of public service corpora
tons upon their gross earnings.
Enlargement of the State Railroad
Commission's powers.
Assessment Of the stock of CONNER
eial exchanges at its market value.
Repeal of the present mortgage tax
law and substitution of registry tax.
Authorization of additional bond
issues to provide funds for completion
of the work undertaken By the Orle-
ans Leyee Board and the Dock Board.
Amendment of the primary law to
prevent election frauds.
Election OF members of the levee
commissions and the election of mem
5ers Of the Board of Appraisers by
districts.
Continued liberality toward the pub.
tic schools.
Improvement of the public road sys-
tenn.
Establishment of forestry commit
Tee and the passage of laws to pro
aibit the cutting of trees under ten
inches in diameter.
Amendment of the vital statistics
law and of the law establishing parish
and municipal boards of health.
Amendment of laws governing life
insurance companies.
Clearer laws regarding the COVER
1or's right to remove subordinates
rom office.
Reform of the grand jury system.
Enforcement of the Sunday closing
aw and consideration OF the agitation
against race track gambling.
Increase in the price fixed by law
or state lends.
Limitation OF the length OF munich
oal franchises granted to corpora
ions.
Change of the name of the states
ubdivisions from parishes" to
counties.
Change in the system of transferring
and titles.
Gov. Blanchard has submitted sew
raj special messages to the general
ssembly besides his main eommuni-
alton, among the additional docu-
1ents being one accompanying the re-
orb of the Tax Commission of Louis
ana, which embodies some of the
lost interesting and important prop
sitions that will be considered by the
5ate's lawmakers during the pending
5ssion. The report recommends a
omplete reformation of the present
ystem Of taxation along lines that
ave been indicated and discussed in
seent issues Of The Chief, and the /
oyernor strongly favors the changes
by the commission.