The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-03-04
Hans Patrick lie Conner.
AN ACCOUNT OF HIS FA1LuRE-How IT WAS
BROUGHT ABouT--RUINous EFFECTS OF
HEAVY TAXATION &C.,
from the St. Louis Republican,

/ J. ~ !. . i.
| From the St. Louis Republican.
Being an applicant forthe benefits Of the
Bankrupt Law, q decent respect for the
opinions Of mankind, as well as certain re-
gard for the feelings ofmy creditors, demand
that should make known the causes which
have impeled me to this course. The fail
ure of George Augustus Sala, according to
a Londonpaper, was solely owing to want
Of the necessary means to meet his pecunia-
Try obligations. This is certainly an extra
ordinary circumstance, and the only one
Of the kind, perhaps, on record. ! am
proud to be able to state that failed for no
such absurd reason. / failed, by chance, in
the regular way. l failed, not for the want
of 1T, but for the possession of too much
ability to meet my bills. | could meet
them everywhere: on every street corner,
every public thoroughfare, and in every
private walk. It was was no trouble for
me to meet my bills, but / couldn't pay
them. Hence the discovery on my part
that, in the lexicon ofyouth, whether there
be any such word as afail" or not, there is,
at least, one that sounds very much like
| it.
/ might have stood up under the burden
of my Indebtedness, through the ordinary
means of telling my creditors I would see
them again, which in all cases they knew
to be exactly so, but the burden of taxation
was too much for me. The last descent Of
the assessor ruined my fortune and black
ened my prospect for all coming time. I
discovered that the taxes on my property
exceeded it's value, and that will ruin the
oldest inhabitant. I know this is the great
est country the sun ever sbone upon, but
to meet it is sort of riddle. can't un-
derstand it. The morea man owes, the
less he is " orth; the less he has, the
more he owes, the richer he is, and all that
sort Of thing. Really, this matter puzzles
me. Isuppose it is all right, but ! can't
see it. / don't mind having to put two
cent revenue stamp on an article sell for
one cent, because, in the course Of time,
by doing very large business, | can make
it pay; but to have to pay more taxes on my
property than it is worth, is a joke with such
amultitude Of points that not one is visible.
I think it is not according to the Consti,
tuition Of the States { won't say United
States, for I am in doubt about the exis-
tence pfany such a corporation.) I hardly
think our forefathers would have made as-
ses Of themselves, although they did that
thing for their prosperity, and i am willing
to abide by the will of the sacred instru
ment which they manufactured.
After paying for United States license,
granting me the privilege Of eating at times
when I felt "gnawing at my stomach,
after paying taxes on all the United States
bonds held by my neiehbors this | did out
of charity,) / was served with a blank,
which was requested to fill up and re-
turn to the Assessor, giving a list Of my
"taxable values for State, County, City and
School Taxes for 1863" "'ro Hans Pat
rick lie Conner, Ill and 1l3 Chestnut
street, Ward, in new limits" "By
virtue of an act passed by" las the idle
windy sc. Then follows long list Of
various articles Of property, such as Amer
lean citizens are liable to possess, and l
am requested to enter opposite each how
much / own. / made out my return, and
for the satisfaction Of my creditors | ap-
pend copy.
Gold and silver plate absent.
| Jewelry--One box paper collars.
! Shares nj stock in corporations--Ticket
to the Rink.
| Money on hand or deposited-Both.
Money loaned or on interest--Likewise.
| Stock in steamboats, and other vessels
Half interest in a soup-bowl.
Printing presses, machinery and types
One ambrotype, considerably damaged, and
will have to be retaken.
Mills Of all kinds-Ten Zone cent
Breweries and distilleries, with all vats,
barrels, hose, pipes, &c:--One crayat, one
guu-barreI, one pair balfhose and one
briar-wood pipe.
Threshing, reaping and moving ma
ehines-One pack Of playing cards.
Lbraries-Three medical almanacs.
Sewing machines -Onepocket-book (has
ceased sowing and awaits repairs.
Horses, mares, geldings, olts-One
Colts revolver.
Cattle-On q thousand hills.
Clocks, watches and chains One long
chain Of opposing circumstances.
The above comprises the entire list OF
my taxable property ola personal nature.
It is matter Of regret for me, as well as
/ for my creditors, that the taxes on this
/. property exceeded its market value. ! was
/ compelled to dispose Of the entire heap to
pay portion Of the revenue, and borrow.
ed money to liqaidate the remainder
hope the public will thus understand why
j have been driven to avail myself OF the
Bankrupt Law.
i Firm in the belief that there is an ap.
preaching power which will level taxation
and raise fallen race, and believing there
lis destiny which shapes some peoples
ends,
! have the honor to remain,
HANS PATRICK LIE COMMON. +
- -~~-,--.-s---0.--y,,,~
/ Franklins Wife,
Al T.. 4. 4 ckm al