Year: 1873

site legislation should be had to secure
their collection. From the best evi-
dence obtainable it is evident that the
delinquent list is iii great measure
composed Of those who are most able
to pay. The poor man pays his taxes
and the rich should not be exempted.


If the taxes now due were paid the
future and necessary expenses of the
State would be provided for, and the
State would be put upon cash basis.
The policy Of drawing warrants when
there is no money in the treasury to
meet them is most pernicious. A State
warrant, in contemplation of law, is a
check, and should not be drawn un-
less there is money in the treasury to
meet it.


No appropriations whatever should
be made except such as are actually
necessary to carry on the State gov
ernment, and toObserve full faith with
all the holders of State obligations.
There must be rigid economy in the
expenditures of the General Assembly,
Are expenses of which ought not to
exceed $2O0, 900.


.+t TAX COLLECTION.


The laws regarding the manner of
assessing and collecting taxes, both of
the State and the city of New Orleans,
should be carefully revised, and one
system of assessment should serve for
both city and State. The rate of as
sessment on property in the country
parishes and in New Orleans is un-
equal. This unjust discrimination
should not continue. The compensa-
ton received by tax collectors and as
SCISSORS, especially in the city Of New
Orleans, is exorbitant, and | recon-
mend that it be reduced. There has
been, during the last two years, a
shameful neglect on the part of tax
collectors to account for their collec-
tions, and in many cases the securi-
ties furnished have proven worthless.
Some effective measures should be ut
once taken to remedy this evil.


EXECUTIVE PATRONAGE.


The executive is invested with a
large amount of patronage-in my
Judgment, too much. 1t would be bet
rer for the executive and better for
the State if large proportion Of this
patronage We're remitted back to the
people to whom it properly belongs.
The dispensing of patronage is at once
most delicate and responsible task.
Party services, doubtless, when hon
orably performed, entitle an applicant
to consideration, but the claim should
also be founded in capacity and integ-
rity. Feeling myself responsible in a
great measure for the good conduct Of
every public officer, shall hold each
to a strict accountability for the faith
full and proper discharge of his official
duties.


RELATION OF CAPITAL AND LABOR.


In republican government such as
ours, where all the power is lodged in
the people, and the will of the people
is expressed through the ballot box,
it is absolutely essential that will
should be freely and fairly expressed.
The right of suffrage is the highest
immunity of citizenship, and the right
should be sternly guarded, Under a
system of law according equal poiti-
cal justice to all, securing the indiyid-
lal rights of every person, it is to be
regretted that there is a disposition to
prevent the newly enfranchised citi-
zen from exercising the right to vote.
This is calculated to engender antag-
onism between capital and labor. La
Dor and capital were in the same
hands before the war. They have now
become divorced by the enfranchise-
ment of the colored men. How can.
antagonism he avoided7 The solu-
tion is easy. Give every laborer the
opportunity to acquire capital by fair
means; see that the law protects him
against imposition; see that his wages
are faithfully paid. Urge him to hus-
band his earnings and invest them in
some permanent form. Tke moment
man owns a house and lot or an
acre Of ground he becomes a capitalist
in interest and so will become . capi-
talist in sentiment. Protect him in
that interest above all protect him
in the exercise of the ballot, the guar
antee and safeguard Of his rights. In
IillS way sauCtte5OEIslu UctW ecu lhUOI
and capital may be avoided, and the
object which more than any other
desire, will be attained-harmony be-
tween the races.


THE LATE ELECTION.


The late general election in this
State is likely to become matter of
public investigation, and l have there
fore but few words to say on the sub
ject. 81.


Briefly, I charge that the pretended
election claimed for the fusion ticket
is utterly without foundation in truth
or Justice. l charge this, although the
late Governor of this State, through
the instrumentality Of registrars and
commissioners of election specially
selected and designated by him for that
purpose prevented, by previously con-
cocted stratagems, many Of Republic
can voters of the State from register
ing and voting. The various strata
gems and evasions resorted to l am