The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1910-05-14
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
Summary of the Chief Executives Biennial
Report end Recommendations 70 the
Louisiana General Assembly.

last transmitted to both houses Of til
general assembly of this state biennia
[ message which has been fifty termed b.
) the New Orleans Picayune "A plain AIT
practical document, in which the state
' condition and needs are set forth witt
clearness and precision, and recommends
tons for legislation made that can excite
comparatively little adverse criticism
The Chiefs limited space will not permi
; the publication of the full text Of tht
message, but the following synopsis, Dor
rowed from the columns of the New Or
leans Times-Democrat, will serve to in,
form our readers of the general tenor anG
principal features of the governor com
munication:
The governor says the boil weevil has
affected Louisiana prosperity, but diver
sifcation is bss1ging a rapid readjust-
ment, as shown by a corn crop of over 3d.
100000 bushels. State encouragement of
the consumption of rice and inducements
to capital are strongly urged.
IN spite of the heavy demands On the
treasury, the state has been kept on a
cash basis. Floods and the boil weevil
kept assessments down. The financial
showing, however, is gratifying.
THE 1909 storm and demands Of the
Normal and other institutions rendered
impossible any retirement of the state
debt. If no disaster occurs and appro-
priations are kept in bounds, some of it
can be reduced before maturity. The
general assembly is asked to provide for
liquidation of the $11 ,1O8,30O bonded debt,
due in 1914. The governor believes
lower rate of interest can be obtained
Two years splendid progress in public
education is shown. Louisiana is paying
its superintendents the highest of any
southern state The standard of the
teaching corps has been materially raised.
Nine schools are teaching agriculture.
Five thousand boys have been enrolled in
corn clubs. The high schools have almost
doubled iWnnmber.
1.-The general assembly is asked to Gre
ate State Rating Commission, as rec
commended by the Board of Trade, as a
protection against insurance abuses.
THE governor recommends the abol-
ishment of tolls on the West End shell
road; the abolition of the Crop Pest Com
mission; sale of the penal farms, except
at Angola, and the erection of a sugar
factory there; further legislation for the
conservation of game and the state
forests, and the protection of streams
from pollution; laws to suppress the white
slave traffic; the substitution Of the
words 'of the colored races" for "of the
negro races, to remedy the coneubinage
act: law requiring executions to be
conducted in the state penitentiary at
Baton Rouge; consolidation of boards
having germane duties.
The proposed Panama Exposition is
cordially Endorsed. and the general as
sembly advised to submit tax amend
lLCHt W lllC&p6OpI6.
The governor strongly URGES a con-
stitutional amendment empowering the
Dock Board to build and operate ware
houses to house. protect and handle cot
ton and other products.
1T is recommended that the property
of the Southern University in New Or /
leans be sold and new site acquired IN
the country for the industrial education
of the negro.
The governor closes with an admoni-
ton to the general assembly to observe
strict economy in the making of appropri-
ations."
Other matters touched upon in the mes
sage are thus summarized by the Plea
yune:
Courts, district attorneys and juries
have done their full duty to society, and
mob violence has practically ceased in
Louisiana
The scope of the travelling auditors
powers and duties should be increased.
Provision should be made for the per
nanent location of the United States
generals Office at Baton Rouge.
Further delay should be granted to
persons having the right to take adyan-
age of certain acts relative to McEnery
Grip lands.
Steps should be taken to provide fer
evees along the lower Atchafalaya river.
THE state should aid the parishes in
uilding main trunk line public roads and
he work should be done by the states
onvicts.
Laws should be passed for the re-
lamation Of undrained lands.
Necessary legislation should be en- :
cted to make eff1stive the chair of
orestry at the Louisiana State Univer Y
ty.
Despite increased cost of living, the =
er capita expense of maintaining the =
ards of the state penitentiary. insane