Natchitoches spectator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1867-18??, 1868-03-12
Assessments Oh Property.

Gen. Hancock recent order in ,rela-
ton to State finances declares that the
taxes for the current year, 1868. shall be
collected oasthe basis of the assessments
of 1867. The reason given for this in
novatiou ON the usual Misunderstanding
the expense of Il new assessor tnt-would
be sufficient, if the plan were not auten-
detl with serious difficulties and embar-
easements, and if it were not sure to
work great Injustice aud inequality.
The changes in the tenure Of property
from year to year are such that e large
proportion OF the taxes, based on the
assessments of Il previous year, could
not be collected at all. Thousands of
pieces of property change hands III this
city alone, in the course of q year; and
in such cases the name of ~ fictitious
owner, in all probability totally ire
ssponsible, would appear Oh the assess
ment books. Or course the State would
lose the taxes on AL property in this sit
uation. In this city, likewise, many
buildings are destroyed by fire, in the
course OF % year: yet the losers would
be taxed just as if they had suffered
no loss. In all such eases as these either
the State would lose the taxes, or per
sons would be taxed on property which
they do not own; the real owners totally
Guiding payment. There are many in
stances, too, in which the unproductive
property of last year has been improved,
and consequently become liable to q
much heavier taxation than before. For
instance on the square bounded by Ful-
ton. RosSeau, Second and Third streets,
there were only three buildings when
the assessment rolls for 1887 were made
out-now there are nineteen tenements
on that square. The battnre between
ctr re Loci
assessed as vacant lots, at 500, 900
Now there are warehouses on this site,
valued ut $750,O00.
In other departments, likewise, there
have been great changes. Many com
mercial firms have dissolved or failed
since the last assessments We're made;
and many new firms have been eStab-
lished. How will it be possible to re
lieye the former, or to collect licenses
from the latter il the old assessment
rolls govern the tax collectors? Besides
this there are licenses to be provided for
the new markets, shoe. makers, black
smiths, hucksters, peddlers, and other
tradesmen. contractors, pawnbrokers,
bankers, etc. In short, the changes
which take place in q great city like this,
from year to year, are so numerous as
almost to defy estimate. The conse-
quence, therefore, of adhering to the
assessment of 1867 would be great injuS-
tice to individuals and serious loss to
the State. 1t is to be hoped that Gen
Hancock will revise this portion of his
order, and thus obviate the perpleXities
and embarrassmentS which would other
wise be sure to ensue.--[ ". q. Crescent
STARTLING FAoTs.-Ohio pays more
tr.reS than all the Southern States.-In q
| IL, all A
| Thurman, United States Senator elect
stated some facts which are well calcu-
! lated to impress the people OF the North
with the direct interest which they
have in restoring the peace and prosper
! ity of the South. Speaking of the taxes
! derived from internal revenue alone
] Mr.. Thurman says that the amount paid
by the whole ten OF the Southern States
! for the last fiscal year was SIS, 1893, 40;
i'll the same year Ohio paid S25,0SI 400
so that the Southern States, which
fol- merly prid their full share, if not
more, Of the taxation Of the country, are
now so reduced that, in the last fiscal
year, Ohio paid So, 1897 900 more than
them all. Senator Thurman then under
takes to demonstrate that the taxation
of the people of this country is fan
greater than ever was imposed upon any
people. In the last fiscal year, five
! hundred millions were collected il
taxes by the General Government
alone. The taxes collected by tho
| States amount TO not quite two hundred
millions more, making the entire tax
alton, in round numbers, seven hundred
million of dollars. The gross annua
production of the industry ofthe United
! States, according to the census of 1860
was two thousand millions of dollars
Allowing for the diminished production
of the South, and for increased prices
it is not supposed to be greater now
Thus more than one third OF the Who'll,
product ofthe country is absorbed by
I taxes. IrE.la
| THE CATHOLIC LENTEN REGULATION
"A pas toral letter from Archbishop
Odin was read in the Catholic churche
on Sunday, publishing the regulation
4 prescribed by his grace for the approach
ing Lent, which are as follows:
lowing to the existing pressure anC
to the difficulty for most persons to pro
!, cure Lenten diet, the use of meat is agai
allowed every day, excepting Friday
during Lent All who fast should OF
last days eat meat only at one meal, bu