New Orleans Republican., 1868-11-13
THE PROPERTY OWNERS MOVEMENT

The recent movement on the part oi
limited number of property owners ana
agents has attracted considerable atten-
ton and excited no little discussion. When
a small class, representing the fraction of a
great interest, band together with the
ayowed object of looking out for them
selves and leaving the rest of the commu-
pity out of the calculation in the benefits TO
he derived from the close corporation, they
naturally place themselves in position OF
antago nism 10 other classes. Such is the
case in regard to the present position the
so-caled property owners have lately as
sumed.
II there is necessity for the property
owners to band together to take counsel as
to the easiest mode of avoiding the payment
of taAes. the tenants will very readily con-
ceive there is an equally urgent necessity
for their banding together to evade the
payment OF rents.
The greater part of the population of
this city belong to the latter class. Nearly
every such person is directly interested in
some business, the success OF which depends
upon the integrity, in one sense or another,
of the State government. Some are de-
pendent upon the credit of the State;
others upon the ability of the Government
to maintain order, repress lawlessness and
protect the peaceful citizen in person and
movable property. These are the real tax
payers; they pay their taxes every rent
day. The owner Of the land in whose
name the taxes on real estate are assessed
always takes care that sufficient amount
is named in the lease to secure him from
loss, and leave handsome margin, so that
it amounts to a matter of Indifference TO
him whether the taxes are heavy or not.
as he seldom bears much of the burden.
In many cases he collects from his tenants,
and then fails to pay the State or the city.
The result is seen in the bankrupt condi-
tion OF the treasury.
The bulk Of the revenue that reaches
the treasury comes from the licenses and
the tax on personal property and
small estates. The neglect Of num-
Der of large owners of real estate
ealthy persons-to comply with their OBJ
legations as good citizens frequently rem
ders an additional or special tax necessa-
ry. This again falls on the taxpaying class,
and those who are really to blame escape
both taxes.
There is, then, both logic and propriety
in the suggestion that the tenants refuse to
pay rents until the landlords pay their
share of their taxes. Some propose TO set |
tie with the tax collectors and turn their re-
ceipts over in payment of rents. At any |
rate, we notice a determination on the |
part of many leading men to organize
movement counter to that anomalous
conclave to which we referred at the be-
ginning of this article.
The majority of the people of New Or
leans are not real estate owners; but every
business man, every professional man, every
working man, is to some extent a consumer
and hence taxpayer. He is furthermore
a voter, and can cast as strong ballot as the
heaviest real estate owner in the city. The
man who rents and occupies building,
and carries on business contributes bis
share TO the general wealth, and has good
claim to consideration in the enactment
and Interpretation Of the laws. he has all
the rights to be heard that real estate
owner has, and possibly more. As good
citizen be feels pride in the good name of
the State. He cheerfully submits to the
payment of his license, and permits his
landlord to add the next years taxes
to his rent notes for. the present
year, and thus pays in advance. But
when he hears that the man who has
charged and collected the little item intends
to refuse to hand it over to the State, he
thinks it time to devise some surer way for
sending his contribution to the treasury.
The plan may possibly form subject of
at no distan. day. For the people
are opposed in principle to reputation
and have little respect for the factious
to the laws recently set up by
the very respectable, but numerically weak
body Of gentlemen, who have just discover
ed an easy way to disperse the State Coy
eminent.