Year: 1877

not paid in full when the institution was
closed and suggest that provision be made
to pay the claims held by them. My atten-
tion has been called to the fact that there are
also portions of the salaries of Professors Key.
nolds, Rivers and the late DR.. LaBorde, OF
the old faculty, still unpaid, and it appears to
me eminently proper that whatever amounts
may be due to these gentlemen, or their repre-.
sentatives, should be paid. These claims can
be examined by committee appointed by
the Legislature, and report embracing the
facts can be submitted to that body for its
final action. The daughters of Professor La.
Borde request me to transmit to the General
Assembly memorial on this subject, and |
take great pleasure in doing so, commencing
it to your favorable consideration.


The action of the General Assembly at the
last session, contemplated the reopening of the
university as school for the white youth OF
the State and the establishment of a similar
Institution for the black. This plan strikes
me as wise and we'll considered, and l recon-
mend that such measures be taken at the
present session as may be necessary tor its
successful inauguration. 1t will, of course,
be impossible to put these universities or COL
leges in complete working order at once. but
such legislation to that end can now be had
as will lay a secure foundation for them.
They can gradually be built up until they are
able to offer to the youth of the State every
educational advantage to be found elsewhere.
In no mode can the funds contributed BY the
people of the State be more judiciously, more
wisely or more pro6tably expended, than by
giving to their children cheap and ample
means of acquiring knowledge.


Ignorance is the faithful parent of crime,
and if we hope to suppress the latter we must
first eradicate the former. The reports of the
officers of the penal and charitable Institutions
will give you all necessary information as to
the condition and wants of these institutions.
Though they have been managed well during
the past year, under the circumstances sur
rounding them, and at material reduction IN
expense, many changes are necessary to bring
them up to the, proper, standard. Improve.
ments in them are called for and are justified
even in an economical point of view, for if
these institutions are put upon proper foot
ing, they can be made selfsupporting to a
great extent, if not in full. This is more par.
ticularly the case with the penitentiary, and
it is very desirable that the convict labor
should be utilized, instead of being, as it now
is, a burthen on the honest people of the State
The superintendent has recently visited many
of the penal institutions in the country, and
he has thus acquired much valuable informa-
ton, which has been laid before the directors.
ggest that there should be FIVE instead of
three directors of the penitentiary, to be elect
ed by the Legislature. In my opinion, the
same mode should be adopted as to the Re-
gents of the Lunatic Asylum, and l respect
fully recommend the change proposed in the
manner of filling these responsible positions,
as think that whenever officers of the State
institutions are to be chosen, the selection OF
them should be in the hands Of the General
Assembly and not of the Executive.


The reports of the various officer of the
State government will give full information
as to all matters pertaining to the different
departments, and these reports will receive,
as they merit, your careful consideration, ain
sure. The exhibit made is eminently satisfac-
tory, as it shows that substantial progress has
been made in the march of retrenchment and
reform.


The taxes levied at your last session have
been very generally paid, though payment
fell due at time not only unusual, but un-
propitious. In view of this fact and the ad-
ditional one that in many cases the proceeds
of the crops had been expended before the
call for taxes was issued, recommend that
YOU extend such measures of relief to delin.
quent tax payers, as in your discretion may
seem proper. Besides these tax payers,
(whose poverty has prevented the payment of
the taxes Of the; last fiscal year, there are
many in the State who are in arrears tor sew
eral years past. In many instances, the lands
of these parties have been forfeited and they
are thus deprived of their only means Of live
lihood. If you could adopt such measures
as would secure the payment of last years
taxes iu the cases of these unfortunate citi.
zens, relieving them of past Indebtedness on
account of taxes, and restoring the forfeited
lands, it would be an act not only of humani-
ty, but, I think, of wisdom. A new spirit of
hope would be infused into our people, and
they would devote themselves to the task OF
repairing their shattered fortunes with re.
newed zeal and energy. In doing this, they
would necessarily increase the wealth of the
State and promote its prosperity. Some OF
our citizens have paid taxes to officials who
claimed authority to collect under the late
administration, and, though that claim was
Illegal many of our colorod population,
through ignorance and credulity, have been
made the victims of it. These cases appeal
strongly to our sympathies and in the exer-
else of liberal and magnanimous policy, the
General Assembly could we'll provide that
all who have so paid taxes, shall be entitled
to credit for such payments. Action Of this
sort would show that we prefer to be govern.
ed in matters of this character by the rules of
equity, rather than by the technicalities of
the law.


Among the reforms which I regard as I'm
portaut, is the abrogation Of the system, which
has obtained here to certain extent, OF
special legislation. Great abuses occasional.
IL spring from this mode of legislation, and
it adds materially to the legislative expenses
Most Of the States have experienced the ill
effects of it, and in many of them it is pro-
hibted by constitutional enaotments. All
legislation should be, as far as possible, gen:
eral in its character, placing all persons and
all interests on an equal footing.


Associate Justice Wright, of the Supreme
bench, has rendered his resignation, to take
effect on the first of December next and |
have accepted it. A vacancy has occurred
also among the Circuit Judges, by the resigpa-
ton of L. G. Northrop, Judge of the Seventh
Circuit.


The various committees, appointed by the
General Assembly during its last session,
while discharging their responsible and ar