The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-06-07
Proceedings Of the Mass Meeting

the Parish of Rapides, in the Town of
Alexandria, on the 9th day'of May, to
consider what steps should be taken to
resist the collection of the unjust and
onerous taxes imposed upon the people
by the Legislature of Louisiana,
On motion II Colonel P. Clarke, Mr..
R. c. Hynson was appointed Presi-
dent, and Messrs. Josiah Chambers
and J. S. Butler e-Presidents of the
meeting.
On further motion F. Seip and w. S.
Bringhurst were appointed Secretaries.
A motion being made that the chair
appoint Committee of three to draft
resolutions, the chair appointed as such
Committee Colonel p. Clarke, CHAIR
man, Judge T. c. Manning and Captain
J. G. White.
In the absence of the Committee the
meeting was, upon invitation, ably and
eloquently addressed by Judge Ryan
and w. A. Seay, Esq, and afterwards
by Judge Manning, of the Committee.
The chairman of the Committee on
Resolutions having reported, the fol-
lowing resolutions were read and On
motion unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That the taxation of Lou
isiana has reached such an amount as
to be confscation in disguise, and is
blighting with mildew and decay eve
ry department of business.
Resolved, That this taxation is not
the result Of the necessary expenses of
the administration of the public af-
fairs, or for any purposes OF public i'm
provement, but the result of gross po-
litical venality, as shown by the sud-
den fortunes of many members of the
Legislature, of huge monopolies and
by the resistance of the Auditor OF
Public Accounts to many of the illegal
appropriations Of the last Legislature
Resolved Further, That for the pur-
pose Of making an organized effort to
resist the collection Of illegal and un.
constitutional taxes now imposed upor
the people Of this State, this meeting
now suggest to their fellow-citizeni
throughout the State, that Conven
ton of the tax payers of Louisiana b.
held in the City of New Orleans on thu
second Saturday Of July next, and thai
this Convention consider and adopt
such organization and measures as viii
most effectuaIIy secure a relief from
the unjust, illegal and oppressive taxa
ton now resting SO burdensomely upol
the land, and recommend to the ia,
payers such future action as ma.
shield them against the wrongs of tn
present corrupt and venal govern
, ment.
On motion of Colonel Clarke the fol
, lowing resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That Committee of sew
en- be appointed by the chairman Z
| this meeting, representing as far
practicable every interest affected b
] the CALLING taxation to which We al
: subjected, and from every part Of til
Parish. r.
!, The chair appointed the followin
: named gentlemen as the Committee I
Q seven: James G. White, Colonel Pow
hatan Clarke, James G. Wise, Josia
Chambers, John w. Prescott, Lew
IS Texada aud James s. Fish.
I'll That this Committee shall appoi
its own Chairman, Secretary and Trea
), urer, ard shall have its domicil
o Alexandria.
: That they shall have an Execute
: Committee Of as many members as tn
: may deem necessary for the transa
= ton of business.
=. That this Committee shall meet
!. soon as convenient after the adjour
= ment of this meeting, and that til
: shall obtain o list Of the names of the
who have not paid the tax claimed
g due for 1866, 1867 and 1868; provid