St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1908-05-16
ST Tan'taany Sar'aer,
May l6, 1908.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

While the present message is from an outgo-
ing Governor, it contains some recommendations
OF urgent need that must and will be acted upon
by the present Legislature. The primary law
must be amended in accordance with our expe-
rience of it's defects, and there should be some
body with vested authority that cannot shirl
the duty of investigating election frauds and
maintaining the purity of the ballot.
The game law undoubtedly needs overhauling
and re-enactment, if we expect to have any
game left and the establishment of a Committee
on Forestry is also an important matter to the
State. The recommendation of protection for
employees engaged in hazardous occupations is
in line with the best thought in civilization.
Those recommendations affecting Orleans par
ticularly will undoubtedly receive consideration,
as should also his recommendations as to taxa
ton, the double tax on morgtge investments,
and some other very good recommendations; but
there is no legislation more urgent or that would
be more welcome to the different parishes than
a road law that would secure to US good roads.
The present system, under which the road money
is squandered, may be continued for centuries
Will DuC 1IIIlG change LIlS COIlulGiOno VI VA
roads, and it is to be hoped the present legisla-
ture will do something to relieve the situation.
But it will be noticed that the Governor is quite
brief in his mention of the prohibition question,
when we consider that the hottest fight of the
session is going to be on this question. But 1t
is easy to be seen that he recognizes, as nearly
everyone does, that it has become question
either of prohibition or the strict enforcement
of adequate laws.
We publish below partial synopsis Of the
Governors message:
Reduction of State tax rate from to 4 mills,
and parochial and municipal to mills
State Board of Appraisers and Levee Boards
should be elected by the people.
Powers of State Board of Equalization should
be enlarged SO as to enforce its orders.
Constitution should be amended so as to make
taxation uniform.
Repeal of the mortgage tax, and substituting
a recording tax not exceeding ST. on $1,000.
May not be ready for compulsory education
In towns of less than 5000 inhabitants, in lieU
of boards Of health, health officer should be ap
pointed by police jury or municipal council.
Additional bond issue to complete work Of
Orleans Levee and Dock Board.
Giving power to Railroad Commission to fix &
standard roadbed and interchangeable mileage
book
Amendment of primary law. COMMITTEES
should be empowered to investigate and pass or
fraud.
That road overseers be abolished and Boarc
of Road Commissioners substituted in each par
ish. Police Jury should provide a road tax anc
roads should be constructed like other public
improvements, by contract and under the super
vision. of competent engineer.
Protection of employees engaged in hazardous
work, and the official inspection Of railroads BY
experts in service of Railroad Commission.
Redrafting of game law, and the issuing of {
license to hunters.
Establishment of a Forestry Committee.
Correction Of abuses in our grand jury system
Lodging power with the Governor to instruc
the Attorney General to file a bill of informa
ton in cases where the grand jury fail to indict
Sunday law should be enforced, and the liquor
traffic and open saloon subjected to close sur
Veillance.
Miscegenation should be stopped.
A change of the States subdivisions from
parishes to counties.
The continuation of the Crop Pest Commission
WHAT APE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT 1T