The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-09-16
Shall We Paw the State Taxese

shall We ray Ene STATE taxes
We have received q circular from st. MartinsFiile
upon this yexsd subject in which the writer most EN-.
phatieally opposes the payment of the taxes imposed
by our scalawag Legislature He justly observes that
solitaire or here and there action, would amount to
nothing, but that united aud concerted action Oh the
part of all would accomplish much. We agree with
him that firm determination on the part of all the
people not to pay single cent Of the taxes would be
the most expeditions, practical and peaceful method
of driving from our State the whole batch of scalawags
who are endeaVoring to sap our very vitals Take
from them the sinews Of war, and they will soon
cease to be able to harrass Us Oppressive measures
are most eectuay resisted by placing the oppressor
in the mpossbility of executing these measures even
when enacted, is observation OF the author which
none can successfully retute. Will our people, as
unit, come up to the work and make another effort to
cast off these oppressors of our liberty We yes
Do it, and, in he.language Of che circular, "you will
Immediately see our mongrel Legislature, our mon
grel Executive, mongrel heads of department and
our mongFel judiciary bend down the knee and crawl
to yours to beg pardon. They have no power to
force the people to pay such taxes to support them in
power and Office and should the question be legally
tested, before competent court, there is not the
shadow of doubt but that the poor taxpayer will be
maintained in bis position. The present government
will fall to the ground and all we, the white people
and only citizens Of Louisiana and of the South will
have to do will be to reconstruct our States on the
basis Of the Constitution Of 1889, and send Senators
and to Congress- who will be accepted
Some Of our cotemporares, though opposedto sup
porting the sealaRag government, not willing ag
tate this question at this time for fear would iniure
our cause at the North. We take this view Of the
matter that it is subject which affects us aone thai
we will have to work ont our salvation, and that
too Immediately Every hour that passes adds another
drop of our life blood to support exeeutioners
Why lose the opportunity of saving ourselves with
the appliances at hand, by delaying until life is ex
eventually esurrec us7 If there is any good in dying
for the uncertain pleasure ofbeng like Lazarus resur
rected from The dead, NE can't see it. Another
urged in this parish why the subject should not
be canvassed, is that most of our people have
paid their taxes, Surprising they have, is that any
reason why should continue in our suicidal policy?
There are some who have not, and many ofour sister
parishes have not paid cent. 1t is time that we put
stop 10 furnishing for the sealawags to make
war on our friends We have already been guilty of
doing this and for Gods sake let US wipe out our sins
converts let us go farther than the farthest in the
work of expeiug the scalaHags from our midst By
this we do not resort to force but concerted
action on the part of all to try the merits of the law
The Picayune, in article on this ect, advises
by way of lawfully testing the NATTER to offer in pay
of the taxes State notes. It says: All we can
do is to urge the holders of notes. which, by their ex
press TERMS receivable in payment Of State taxes,
or other dues, to tender them in payment to the tax
gatherer and should he refuse them, forthwith to sue
out writs of Injunction against his proceeding to col
ect taxes in any other funds BY levying on prop
ery, and to carry these inanctons through the entire
State judiciary up to the Supreme Court Of the United
States. As no compensation has yet been offered, Or
appears to be in contemplation, for the impending
pudiaon Of the Treasury notes of 1885, nor for the
nfracton of the contract between the State and the
taxpayers, which is patent upon their face, in
this appeal to the courts may be confidently relied
L. however, it should do nothing more, it will result
in delay Of at least two years; and meanwhile, we
may be relieved from usurpatory lawgvers, and
executive, and find ourselves restored once more to
the inestimable blessings of selfgoyernment, and no
taxation without representation"
REGISTRATION AND FpTING II, LoUIsIANA.-Its seems
at last that sealawag legislature has passed
istraon bill The precise nature Of the bill we are
not advised OF, the original bill having undergone so
many changes in the senate and house. The Bulletin
of the 9th hovsyer gives US an mixing of its purport
1t gives to tbesupergsors and Board appointed by the
Governor, the right to strike any from the list
Of voters and from the decision Of the Beard there is