New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-03-10

| debtedness must necessarily remain unpaid
ana what with heavy interests and from
uaner causes is rapidly augmentiDg. Under
Tue system he advocates the people are not
renewed at all the burden of taxation is
Ta,her l. creased and made more oppressive.
peiieve every man ought to pay his debts
when they are due, and believe the same
every property holder is willing to pay his
snare OF the taxes imposed to pay the hon
est deots OF the State. They are intelligent
enough to know that it is to their interest to
pay promptly In order to save interest, and
the credit OF the State at the same time
Mr. McMlilen: Well, Mr.. Chairman, l can
no. not see now we are going to get along in
snis STATE unless we levy tax sufficient to
pay the current expenses of the State gov.
eminent. The bill now under considera-
ton was drafted before we had an opportu-
| nifty to find out exactly how much the taxa.
Bile property of the State amounted to, and
| how much we have paid, and how much we
had to pay. All this information. with
great deal more that is equally edifying, is
| furnished US in the report of the Auditor of
Public Accounts-I believe, an honest and
| efficient officer. We have to raise a million
| aud halt, and to do this we have to levy a
| tax on real estate and personal property
We have, believe, $3.50 0O0, 900 of taxable
property, and that three mills on this
amount will not suffice, needs no great
amount q Investigation to demonstrate
Five mills. will be found to be barely
enough, and that we may have enough am
IN favor of the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Ouachita. We have
hoating debt of halt million from last
year and we have other debts outstanding.
This bill does not provide for the pay
ment OF these debts; it does not pro-
pose to relieve the State of this load.
The only way to rid US of this is to fund
this debt or levy special tax. Five mills
IS not an excessive tax upon the people. If
the people of the city of New Orleans have
other burdens to which this tax will be an
addition to an already excessive assessment,
the Legislature is not responsible. If the
government of the city chooses to impose
heavy tax it is no affair of the State. IF
the city government is bad, the city of New
Orleans is bad, and as have already said
the State is no. responsible. We are not i'm
posing an exhorbitant tax when we assess
five mills. 1t is not too much nor is it
more than the people are willing to pay.
therefore hope the motion of my distin-
guished financial friend from Jefferson will
not prevail.
Mr.. Isabelle: am opposed to both of
those amendments to three mills and FIVE
mills. l think it sufficient as it stands, at
four mills, and while l think five mills too
much, l believe three mills too little.
had hoped this bill would have
called out the most eloquent gentlemen on
the floor, and l had also hoped that they
would have pointed out those large corpora
tons in the State which do not pay any
taxes. The railroads, for instance, do not |
pay a cent on their rolling stock. Four
mills is plenty-is very Highland would be |
sufficient if those wealthy corporations |
were assessed. Since we met before. the |
assessment has been increased ten millions |
of dollars. and new and costly buildings are |
being erected all the time. The gentleman |
from Jefferson has said it was three mills |
last year. Think it was only two mills and |
q half, but am ready to vote for four mills |
In order that we may have these debts can |
celled. But 1 also hope the members will |
join with me in demanding that those rail- |
roads be made to pay a tax on their |
stock, and if this is done we will |
not need even four mills. l have agitated |
this since ever | had a voice upon this foor, |
and to-day my advocacy is as warm as it |
ever was Capital. and not labor, should |
paw the taxes.
Mr.. Page: think we can pay with four
mills, but think it is good legislation to
vote enough to cover all appropriations,
rather than to have less than enough. If !
there is some over, then it can go over to-
ward the payment of next years expenses.
If we made blunder last year in not asses
slug tuDuSI, 40 uOL let US Iall INTO the same |
grave error this year.
The Chair: The question is on the amend.
ment to insert five mills.
The amendment was voted down
Mr.. Carr: have an amendment to offer,
and that is to strike out four mills ana in
,ert four and half mills. think this will
meet the approval of all. There seems to be
IN impression among the members that five
Mills is too much, while others consider
our mills too little. Now, want to make
t four and half mll!s.
Mr.. McMilen: | want to see the original
,ill AS reported by the committee. Will the
Chair furnish me with the original bill =? A
,opy of the original bill I want. as reported
" the Committee of Ways and Means.
The Chair: The Chair can not furnish the
Gentleman copy. The Clerk informs the
chair that the committee reported by
printed BILL and that this is the bill.
A Member: The bill as reported is in the
lesk of the gentleman.
MIR. McMillten take it upon myself to
ay that this is not the bill reported by the
Committee, the assertion of the clerk of the
touse to the contrary notwithstanding.
Mr.. Gray I move that the committee do |
low arise.
The motion prevailed.
The appropriation bill was then taken up, |
nd, on motion of Mr.. Garstkamp, the House
esolved itselfinto Committee of the Whole :
o consider it
Pending its consideration the committee |
rose and the House adjourned.