The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-10-03


beyond the district in which helives. This
makes necessary new army of government
officials, appraisers, weighers, &c, aud t
these, their position gives the power to la,
upon the country heavy burden Il
haul his cotton to a designated point fol
taxation and there await the pleasure o.
convenience Of the appraiser, would in
volve the planter in heavy expenses, gfea,
loss of time and the chances Of changing
markets, as we'll as expose his property tt
loss by fire and damage from other causes
On the other hand, to get the appraisers t.
visit his plantation would expose him tt
the extortions of that officer or the caprices
of his temper. This system, scattering as
it does new government agents through
the country, cannot fail to lead to frauds
on the revenue and by exposing these par
ties to tempting brides, defeat the aim o.
the law. Although the object Of revenue
law should be to gather in from the people
the taxes imposed, in the shortest and least
expensive manner. and without creating
unnecessary annoyance to the taxpayers
it is probable that the trainers Of this law
cared less for gaining these ends, than fol
creating new places for their friends and
followers Of the hundreds of corrupt off
cials who have been detected in defraudine
the Government and robbing the people Of
the South none have been severely punish.
ed, and this but encourages others to dc
likewise, SO that if the regulations publish
ed for the government of the cotton trade
are not modified our planters will find this
new "army worm" more destructive than
that which comes on the plant. To secure
a change in these regulations the Cotton
Factors of orr city have had meetings, at
one of which held on the 18th inst, they
adopted an able Memorial to the Secretary
of the Treasury, which after setting forth
the disadvantages to the planter and mer-
chant. of the proposed regulations, and the
danger of their leading to frauds on the
government, proposes as an amendment
that all the cotton growing States shall be
consolidated into one collection district for
the purpose Of collecting the tax Of three
cents per pound on the cotton. By this
arrangement the planter would be allowed
to ship his crop to any point within the
cotton growing district at such times and
in such quantities as he wished. A Gus
tom House officer could board each boat
coming into port, receive from the officers
manifest of the cotton on board, for, the
tax on which the merchant or receiver
would be. held responsible. Each cotton
press could be made bonded ware house
with suitable arrangementsto insure the col
lection of the tax and yetnot interfere with
the merchants arrangements with the pres
ses and insurance companies. Attic points
which afford a desirable market for cotton
every arrangement already exists for hay
ing it properly weighed and appraised, and
every facility is enjoyed for the prompt
collection Of the tax, orplacing it in bond
until sold. All receivers Of cotton could
be required to make statements regularly
of the cotton received by them, and such
other arrangements perfected as would
guard the Governmentagainst fraud, while
this modification of the law would afford
relief to the planter, and his merchant and
to the commercial community generally,
immediate and free shipments Of the staple,
The merchants here have resolved to send
an agent to Washington to lay the matter
before the proper authorities. This sub
ject will affect the prosperity Of the entire
South and is of the FIRST Importance to our
people, who will wish our merchants sue.
cess in their efforts to obtain a more Just
construction of the law
The Cable dispatches announce that a
renewal Of the European war is imminent
Austria is said to show bad faith with italy
in regard to Venetia, making demands to
which Italy viii not submit. She is charg.
ed with over stating the debt Of Venetia
and with holding property which she
should transfer. Prussia has stopped the
homeward march of her army and notified
Austria that she will see justice done tc
her ally. # the power and resources Of
Austria have suffered as much as previous
advices from Europe hayerepresented, it is
not probable that she willrisk the chances
of another and immediate appeal to arms,
unless her Emperor has secured secret
alliance with some power heretofore neu.
trail. That such important changes in the
map of Europe as have lately been an.
nounced, should be made without general
council of all the great powers, would be
more strange than the discovery that either
France or Russia had been under plotting
with Austria to bring about renewal OF
the struggle, in which they would lend her
aid to promote their own wishes for ag.
grandisement. We may therefore expect
that this lowering war cloud will quickly
pass away, or that other and more power.
full nations will join in the contest
Rumors are again afoat in relation to
the release of President Davis. It is now
asserted that he has been offered, and
promptly refused, his release upon condi
tions Of his leaving the country at. once
and forever. That such terms would be
refused by the distinguished prisoner
there is no doubt; he has ever expressed
his readiness for trial, and will probably
accept nothing but definite and clear &C
quital. That he will be tried SO long as
the Radicals hold power il extremely
doubtful, they prefer that be should be
tortured to death by long and painful
imprisonment. 1t is stated however that
President johnson will, in the event of his