The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-04-03
PUBLIC

ACCORDING 10 previous notice, q meelulS
Of the Taxpayers Of the parish of St. Lam
dry was held at the Court House in the
tow of OpclorsaS, on Saturday, the 9th
of March, 1869. The meeting was organic
ed by calling Col. Is. r. Rogers to the
chair, Joel II. Sandoz Esq, acting as SecFc-
tarv.
The object Of the meeting having been
explained, on motion the following Com
mittcc, to draft resolutions expressive OF
the meeting, was appointed by the Chair,
vix;-E. D. Estilrttc, Esq, Capt. Z. \. Nc
Crory. and Hon. Geo. r. King, who having
wi'hd,awn'for a short time, reported the
following preamble and resolution, to Wit :;
Whenever a people like ourselves have
become impoverished and reduced to the
very verge Of want, by the force of circum-
stances beyond their power to avert or
remedy. it is but reasonable that they
should feel most SenSibly the consequence
of every dollar taken from the Scanty re-
sources in store for the support Of them
selves and families.
However much they may recognise their
paramount duty to contribute TO the main
tainance of civil government, whether
Federal, State +" Eu"clial, yet it is but
natural that they >1or!l expect for eXac-
tons levied, ,,.IyI such circumstances,
either some rurtai'ncnt or alienation from
>ll.c bur.tno 10 which they are subjected, or
some corresponding return IN the advance
ment of the public interest.
The i~mpreenablc barrier which faction
and embittrrcd fanaticism has i]nterposed
between the people and those charged with
the administration of the General and State
Governments, leaves us hopelessly at their
mercy. We must therefore bear and en-
dure all the ills and wrongs which a corrupt,
profigate and irresponsible power may en-
tail upon u.s.
But as taxpayers, to whom this call was
specially addressed, We are subject to an
other and additional tax imposing power
whose legislation extends only to the limits
of the parish, and to whom the power of
now unrestrictedly assessing and levying
taxes has been delegated, and whom, we
are satisfied, Will not shrink from or seek
to evade any inquiry or investigation which
their immediate constituency, struggling
with adversely and accommodating taxation
on every hand, may propose in reference to
their administration.
We only know that since the war which
desolated our homes and made us poor
indeed, every successive year has brought
upon US, regardless of the calamities of
season and failure of crops, large and in
creased taxation. We only know, as far as
we have seen, that no visible improvements
have been made in the physical condition of
the parish; that the public improvements
of other days are decayed and fallen; that
the public highways are almost impossible
and without bridges that the parish debt.
is heavy, its approximate amount, it is be-
lieved, unknown; the country rife with
charges of prodigal and useless expenditures;
and that a general d,strust Of a faithful
and economical administration on the part
of the Police Jury.
We invite and insist upon an investiga-
ton of our condition; what amounts have
heen realized from taxation for the last few
years; how they have been expended; what
is the present amount Of the parish debt;
and such other matters as may be incident
al to the purposes of the proposed inquiry.
This course, there being no other means
of redress known, is alike due to the Police
Jury and to the public at large, The Po-
lice Jury represent the people OF this parish
in the administration of its public interests;
their trust is a delegated one, for the faith
full discharge of which they are directly
accountable.
Therefore be it resolved, that a committee
of five be appointed by the chairman of this
meeting, whose duty it shall be to inform
the President of the Police Jury of the
proceedings; to propose to him the
investigation, and to call for an exhibition
ofthe papers and record of that body, for
the purposes Of the proposed investigation ;
to engage the services of a competent &C
countant, and TO raise by general contribu-
ton of the taxpayers the amount necessary
pay said accountant for his services and
to defray all other expenses which may be
incurred and to make a report to a meeting
Of the taxpayers at this place, on Monday. |
he 26th of April, 1869, which meeting all
The inhabitants of this Parish are invited to
attend in mass or by delegates.
Resolved, that the Courier and JOURNAL
requested to publish these proceedings.
! .4., E. D. Estilette,
l.. McCrory, Committee.
Geo. r. King.
The same having been read, Mr.. Jos; NJ.
1oore moved that they be approved, which
notion was carried unanimously. The
President then appointed the following
ommittee in conformity with the above
esolution. to wi: Jos. M. Moore, E. D.
.%stilette, Felix D6jean, D. P Latieur and
). W. Foreman
: On motion of Hon. Geo. R. King, the
aeet'ng adjourned to Monday, the 26th
f April, 1869.
B. R. ROGERS, President.
JOEL. H. S~ANDoz, Secretary.