Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-05-16
Corporation Taxes.

Nh. Eprros Permit the undersigned to ad
dress through the columns Of your paper shor'
and simple statement Of facts to tho Taxpayers o
the Parish.
For the purpose sf meeting the exgencies Of
new and rapidly growing town, the Mayor and
Board of Aldermen of Houma found it necessary
to call upon the Inhabitants for a supplementary
tax of three hundred dollars. The people almost
unanimously voted in favor Of the tax. making
the whole amount of the municipal contributions
Of our mere handful Of property holders, FIVE hun.
bred dollars. But this is but one item Of the hea-
Wy burdens now resting upon our community
Tho amount Of money in the Treasury Will no,
suffice by q good deal. to pay the expenses Of
draining and making sidewalks through all the
streets, 30 that the Council have adopted as a
rule that they will only pay one half Of the cost
Of constructing banquettes, the other half to be
paid by the joint propretors. In case the people
wish to have their side walks in proper order. the
amount of their contributions will be increased
several hundred dollars. Two thousand dollars
have already been appropriated to the building Of
a market homse, which will be Of as great, if not
greater benefit to the planters and people Of the
parish out of town as to our own citizens.
The supplemental tax voted this year is in COM
parison of the necessities of municipal improve
ment, a mere pittance, and was the least that the
town administration could ask Of Us. But this is
mot all. New streets will soon have to be opened.
Some of the less public spirited Of the propretors.
through whose lots the streets will pass, will doubt
less exact adequate compensation for their land
Thus forcing US to double or tripl. the present
enormous burden of our taxation. In view Of tho
above facts it is to be hoped that tho Police Jury
will take into serious consideration the proprety
of releasing our people from the payment of the
Parish taxes. We do not demand permanent
and perpetual exemption. We only ask to be
relieved from tax for few years, until our village
shall have been pat in lorder and equipped like a
decent and respectable town, which it is trying
hard to become. We have a strong belief that
the people of the parish take as much pride in the
progress and establishment Of their little county
seat a. we do in being the capital Of such noble
country as the Empire Parish of Terrebonne.
In conclusion, We beg the honorable members
Of the Police Jury to consider these facts. That
a planter who owns the same amount Of property
IS is exhibited BY the assessment role of Houma
will pay an annual tax Of 1928 81. Whereas
the town Of Houma pays this year $l027 80.
Relieve US from the payment of Parish taxes and
a person in the country owning an equal amount
Of property with that contained in the Corpora
lion will pay tax Of $52s 80, and ws will still
pay 8903 o.. niag sIs# 70 rsiisd aaibil
would further state that the town and not
he Parish Treasury, is bound for the payment Of
Ill costs for holding inquests For instance.
While Hosey. who lived and worked nearly all the
lime in the country. came to Houma last year and
got murdered. AJury Of Inquest had to be call.
ID. The costs Of the Justice, Constable and
Physician amounted to fifty dollars, and we have
% foot the bill which absorbs one entire fourth Of
,ur ordinary revenue 1t is really too hard on us
90 JUSTICE.
~o~~~~>-@0~---->-----~ |
sd goI .slfs II te.tft ..ry --fsa4t .Ht ~ =