Year: 1860

and Felloap- Citizens:


assume the Office of Chief Magistrate
Of the State of Louisiana with unaffected
distrust of my ability to meet it's respon
sibilities so as to give full satisfaction
to you. 1t was with real reluctance that
l consented to become candidate, and
the people thought fit to elect me with
out effort or solicitation on my part
Owing no obligation to particular per-
sons, Or particular interests, my thanks
for the honor conferred upon me are due
to my fellow-citizens belonging to the
same political communion with myself,
and to the people of the State at large,
and it shall be the earnest effort of my
administration to deserve the support OF
ALL


In accepting the nomination of the
Democratic party, l necessarily stood
pledged to spare no exertion to vindi-
cate its principles and establish it's
measures. 1t is my conscientious con-
viction that by them alone can the Fed
eral and State Governments be safely
administered. Its policy in Federal af-
fairs has supported the interests of all
sections, elevated the national character
and enlarged the boundaries of the Union.
In State affairs it has respected the
rights of all persons and of all classes,
and with unshrnking fidelity protected
them from aggression and proscrip-
tion. These are the true objects of all
just government, and to these its policy
will be directed. | can best advance
the public good by steadfastly adhering
to the principles by which these results
have been produced.


The Constitution makes it the duty of
the Governor to take care that the laws
be faithfully executed, and the power of
appointment has been confded to him
to limited extent to assist him in the
performance of this duty. His RESPONSE
bility for the conduct of public officers
must be measured by his power over
their appointment. He cannot be held
accountable for what may be done or
omitted by those to whom he has given
no trust and whom he cannot remove
But he should be held to strict ac-
count for the character of those whom
he may select for public employment. I
shall invite rigid scrutiny into the
manner in which this, as indeed all 9TH
er official duties are performed. l will
not, knowingly, appoint to Office any
man who is not qualified to discharge
every duty belonging to it, with knowl-
edge, skill, and fidelity. Integrity and
competency must be essential pre-requi-
sites to the appointment Of public Off
GERS. These being fully shown, reason
able weight may be permitted to politi-
cal considerations; mere partizanship
constitutes no claim upon the appoint
ing power. The support of party for
reward is a degradation-not merit
for the principles of a party can only be
considered valuable where they contri-
butte to the general good. AS Governor
of Louisiana, it will be my first duty to
see that the public service under my
control is conducted with honesty and
capacity.


Economy in the administration of
Government ought always to be insisted
upon, and retrenchment, in all cases,
when it can wisely be made. Unfortu-
nately a disposition to retrench the
Treasury expenditures is usually direct
ed to branches of service in which it is
least demanded. There is really no
just cause of complaint against the sala-
ries of the officers of the State, yet these
are usually attacked when there is a de-
sire to curtail the public expenses, and
they are attacked because all are famil-
lar with them, and few know where to
look for the leaks that empty the Treas
ury. But prodigality rarely exhibits it.
self on the surface of Government ex-
penses. 1t is in the details of admins
tration that extravaganza is to be de-
tected, and whenever the subject is
properly investigated, it may be found
that large sums of money are wasted
which could be saved to the Treasury
by the observance of correct system
and the exaction of stern accountable
ity. shall take pains to call the at.
tention of the General Assembly to such
reforms in all the departments Of Coy
ernment as the people may demand
The subject belongs, particularly, to the
Legislative branch of the Government,
and my hearty cooperation will be CIV
en- to every measure that will tend to
lessen the public burthens, But moth
ing of any value can be accomplished
without carful scrutiny and rigid in
quiry, conducted with steady determi-
nation to expose extravaganza whenev-
er and wherever discovered, and then
with an unflinching hand to apply the
appropriate remedy.


But yhile urging frngality in the ad-
ministration of the Government, let it
not be supposed that I am unwilling to
aid in such judicious expenditures as
mill dauelnn the resnurcas Of the State