New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-03-25

A. M.
Speaker Carr in the chair.
The House had under consideration
bill authorizing the assessment OF railroad
property in the State, and tor the collec-
ton of a tax upon the same.
Speaker Carr: This bill. the Clerk IL
forms me. is on its third reading.
Mr.. I3abelle This is not on its third
reading. The House, some days since,
refused to engross II, and | would like to
know how it can be on its third reading.
Speaker Carr: The Chair is forced TO
take the word OF the Chief Clerk.
Mr.. Isabelle: When this bill was up a
few days since, MIR. McMiIlen moved to
consider it engrossed, but the House voted
down the motion. A refusal TO engross is
the same as an indefinite pOstponement.
Speaker Carr This bill was ordered to
be placed on the calendar, and was not
engrossed. Therefore the proceeding was
informal. It now remains for the House
to say what disposition shall be made
of it.
MIR. Lott: | move it be considered en-
crossed.
Mr.. Isabelle: [ now rise to point of
order.
Speaker Carr: State your point of
order.
Mr. Isabelle: Il can not be considered
engrossed now, because the House having
already refused to engross i, Bartley's
digest says that this refusal Is equivalent
to an indefinite postponement.
Speaker Carr: The Clerk informs the
Chair that the House refused to engross
it, but ordered it to be placed upon the
calendar This was done when the pres
ent occupant OF the chair was absent. The
rules. of course, provides that when the
House refuses to engrOss, the bill Will be
considered indefinitely postponed. This
being the case, the Chair is unable to con-
ceiye how it can be now on it's third read
ing.
Mr. Lee: Then admitting an informality,
is it not as probable that The journal is n
error as to the refusal to engrose, as 1t Is
as to the placing upon the calendar
after an indefinite postponement? An
error having been made, l think 1t only
proper that the Hoase should decide
anew wat the fate of the bill shall be.
Speaker Carr: Not having been in the
clair when former action was taken, the
Chair is unable to decide where the error
originated whether in the refusal to en-
gross. Or the placing on the calendar.
The Chair, however, Il wiling to get the
sense of the House upon the question Of,
whether or not the bill shall be considered
engrossed.
MIR. Isabelle: l am opposed to this bill.
It proposes to levy tax on railroad prop
erty 80 low as to make it merely nominal.
1t provides for a special rate Of taxation
in direct conflict with the constitution,
which says, "all taxation shall be
equal" This bill not only binds
the present State Of Louisiana, but
it binds future generations TO this agree
ment, to exempt these wealthy railroad
companies. from taxation. Not only the
companies which now have an existence
ia Louisiana, but all that may be hereafter
incorporated. We have made rapid strides
on the highway Of progress, during the
last one hundred years, who can say what
the next century may do tor US. The State
NAV be gridironed with railroad iron and
capital may be centred in those wealthy
companies free from taxation, while the
burden of supporting the State govern
ment will fall on the poor workingmen.
Future generations will feel the hardships
of this measure as we'll as this, and this is
why am opposed to its passage.
Mr.. McVean: ! call for reading Of the
bill.
Speaker Carr: The Clerk will read the
bill.
The bill ives read.
Mr.. Gray in the chair.
Mr.. Lowell: This bill having been in
definitely postposed by a refusal to en-
gross it. how did it get back before the
House again?
The Chair: There is an informally, and
the question is whether we shall engross
it now or not. That is, whether the IN
| formality shall be corrected or not.
Mr.. Lowell: This having been once dis
posed of, can not conceive how you are
going to resurrect it now. l am opposed
| to this resurrection, because l an opposed
| to the bill on its merits. 1t gives the Gov
ernor the power of an assessor. Ii you
pass this bill it will be but another link IN
a chain of legislation, Of which the regis
| tration bill, the cleo ion bill and the mill
| tia bill are component parts, and all tend
| to centralize power in the hands OF the
| Governor. If this is passed we might as
we'll add section declaring this State OF
Louisiana monarchy, and the Governor
| a despot-a despot SO absolute as TO be
| beyond the reach of the law. 1t makes
| taxes specific, and is, therefore, unconsti-
| tutional. It does not come here as q
written, but printed bill, in the interest
of some monopoly or another. but antag-
onistic to the well-being of this recon-
structed and rejuvenated State of Louis
| ana.
Mr. Heaenhain: call for the yeas and
| nays on the question to consider the bill
engrossed.
The Chair: The Clerk will call the roll.
The roll was called.
| Mr.. McMillen: What is the question?
Mr.. Lee: The question is on engross-
ment.
| MIR. McNIillen: VIII the Chair state the
| question?
| Mr.. Lowell: The gentleman from Car
roll understands the question. There is
a rule of the House which prevents the
gentleman from taking up the time of the
House by unnecessary and frivolous ques-
| tons.
| Mr.. McMillen: lrise to point of order.
Mr. Noble: Nothing is in order but the
calling Of the roll.
| Mr.. Lowell: The gentleman not having
been in the House when the question was
| stated, he can not vote.
The House refused to engross.
| Evening Session.
House convened at seven o'clock +. IA.
Speaker Carr in the chair.