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to parish Judgesystem as it existed under the Constitution of 1812, and to my diffident comprohension, return to that system will be as universally approved as seems to be the repudiation of an elective judiciary. If this be accepted admitted, and I thinkit will/not be disputed, the duties of Recorders could be performed by clerk of courts, who in turn, should be disqualified from the performance of judicial acts, unless in the absence of Judges. The olection of Judges, Recorders, Clerksand Sheriffs mainly from personal or political feeling rather than capacity and fitness of the individual for the trust, has shaken public confidence in the administration of justice, besides rendering it expensive, tardy, and to the last degree uncertain. Bred to the vocation of agriculture, I cannot speak on this subject with technical familiarity, nordo iaim at doing so, contented if I can embody in clear and comprehensiv recommendation present system know to exist, for your correction: Provision will have to be made to re build the State Penicentiary, and to erect a State house. The former will require all needful dispatch. In selecting a site for the latter. regard should be paid to the locality. Crowded or ill-ventilated places)ahould belavoided, and if need be, large and roomy space, capable of admit ting the erection, in detached shape, of all the public buildings necesbary for the State officers and archives, to be provided for suitably should/be obtained in the neighborhood of New Orleans. The thoroughfares and crowded streets of a great city are unsuited for such purposes. It is scarcely required that I should dwell upon the urgency of an immediate and perfect organization of the militia of the State. This cannot with/safety be deferred; for it is not compatible with the reconstruction policy of the Government to maintain armies in the States for the purpose of police. The reorganization of our State, which will be completely accomplished on the admission or our delegations to Congress,swill, without question, be speedily followed by the abolition of martial law within our borders, and the withdrawal of all troops not required for garrison or fort purposes. That this may not happen before a State force can supply its place, you will, am sure, fully guard I have endeavored without success to procure the transfer of the banks of New Orleans, now under military liquidation, from the control.of the Commander of this Department to the civil power. The banks thus unaccountablyciroumetanced, are the Bank of Louisiana State Bank, Merchants' Union, Orencent City and Bank of New Orleans. Why the military usurped the authority to take possession of these banks and regulate their administration any more than the reason for their continued retention of them. I have never been able to know or understand. As they stand in the relation to their creditors of insolvent institutions, I especially refer to them, so that you may take such action to have them administered in accordance with law and the just rights of all concerned, as cireumstances will warrant. The present condition of the New Orleans and Jackson and New Orleaus and Opelousas Railroads inspires uneasiness. The for mer road as, unexpectedly to me, handed over by the military authority to the ad ministration of a few man, who had conducted it after some fashion. They refuse to explain its affairs from the -occupation of this city by the National forces until the relinquishment of the road by the Commauding General Acting upon the gestions of President Johnson, who consid ered it should be a step precedent to the delivery of the roads to the control of loy al directorschosen by the stock holders, the Mayor of New Orleans called for new election by the stockholders of each pany His call was fully responded to, and directors of the highest respectability and reliability were chosen. he old directors of the New Orleans and Jackson Railroad fearing accountability or unwilling to re linquish their places, resisted the demand fora surrender of the control of the corporation and its affairs, and appealed to the lawsto sustain them. They hold possession and give no account of their stewardship. The large interest of the State in both of these important enterprises made it incum bent upon me to sustain the action of the Mayor of New Orleans, in his exertions to have their true present state exposed for public information. The New Orleans and Opelousas Railroad is still held and run by the military, who declinate relinquish it to its stockholders unless the Board of Directors release the Government from all Preclamations on socount of the enormoussum received by its officers since the road has been in their hands. Donations of land made by Congress to the Opelousas road are likely to lapse from a failure of condition,1f not attended to Your early attention to the roads and all connected with them is much demanded. Various public works, of greater or less importance, as well as the reparation of the vees, will have to be undertaken by the State. In connection with them, the creation of a Board of Public Works, or the adoption of some other way for planning and sepervising them will be requisite. Ex perience will be a safe guide as to which plan, that of a Board or of a Chief Engineer, is more preferable No other legislative bodies that have ever before been convened in this State have beene harged with the consideration of legslation embracing 80 many, various and momentous subjects. Upon their enlightned,just and prompt settlement, everything affecting the 1-being, happiness and prosperity of the people and State debends. Procrastination is ruin ; postponement is death The faithful oitizen, called by an wise nd omniscient Providence to administer his powerful Government, watches with offectionatesolicitudeyour proceedings. He ay great stress upon the course of Louisana is anxious she should take her true place in the Republic has manifested by numerous kindnesses of manner and acts 18 warm sympathy with us, and will be low to believe that we will ever disappoint him. The people have already given
