The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-02-06
THE REAL SOURCE OF WEALTH AND
PROSPERITY.

One of the most dangerous, as it is one of
the most specious, vices of the proposed new
charter for this city, is contained in that clause
which, while expressly prescribing limit to
the taxation on real estate, expressly provides
that there shall be no limit to the taxation on
trades and occupations 1t is specious aud
dangerous, because it seems TO accord with the
sentiment, universal with civilized men, that
| property Is among the most sacred of human
| rights. But in effect, it is an insidious con-
tradiction of that sentiment, and covert as
sault upon this right in the most vital point
| It's strength is bottomed on the old and tena-
cious error that property in the state of fixed
capital, and especially what is commonly
known as real property, is the only form in
which right of property is absolute and inde-
feasible. In all ages it has been the favorite
game of profigate despotisms, and of govern
ments, whatever their nominal character, con-
Quoted In the interest of privileged class,
to cultivate this error and use it as a con-
venient cover under which to swindle and
plumber the people At present in this country
the bulk oftexation falls directly or indirectly,
And all these faculties and activities, to the
taxation on which it is proposed to set nc
limit, may be resolved into the single ard
comprehensive term of labor, the highest and
the most precious of properties because IL is
the generative source of all others. This po-
sition is sustained by all the accepted authori-
ties on political economy and fundamental
wi &Iok Al
complete right of property is founded on
labor" that "labor is the sole creator of
wealth. that "the industrious faculties are,
of all kinds Of property, the least question
able" that ''nature imposes alimit to the right
of government to appropriate the earnings of
labor" that this law of nature being coeval
with mankind, and dictated by God himself,
is, OF course, superior in obligation" "bind-
ing over all the globe, in all countries, and at
all times, and "no human laws are of any
validity if contrary to this" And yet the adj
vocates of the proposed new charter say that
this natural and imprescriptible endowment
confers upon its possessors, the artifcers ofthe
wealth of cities and OF countries, no proprie-
tary rights which a government, municipal,
State, or national, may not at discretion in
fringe, curtail or annuL What gives present
value, let us ask, to any piece of so-called |
real property in this city? Is it a few hun |
dred square feet of ground? Is it the ma |
terials of a house erected on this ground? |
No; for, take away the industrial activities |
which have created New Orleans, and which
continue to maintain its life, and all that is
specific and distinctive in this property would
be deprived of every condition of wealth and
utility, and the whole city would be as desti-
tute and as idle as deserted village in the
wilds of central Africa. Hence the ultimate
effect of the policy which heaps the bulk of
taxation on the various industries. as though
the rights and interests of property cannot
be fatally touched as long as what is de-
dominated real property is protected by
discriminating tax, must come home
% the injury of the very class who
IRE supposed to be especially favored
~ 1t. No persons should be more
'olicitous than real estate owners for the IN
luguration of a different policy policy
hat would aim to remove burthens, shackles,
md distractions from all trades from all
occupations, from all enterprises that con-
ibute to swell the volume of business and
nlarge the basis of the general prosperity.
Jnder such policy, the various taxes on
which tend to repel labor, and
he various taxes on navigation and local
which tend to repel commerce,
would be reduced, and, if possible, abolished.
his Is the true way to protect the rights of ,
IL species of property to foster the interests ,
f all classes, and to build up on the founda-
ion of real wealth the general prosperity of
city or a nation.