The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-08-12
Collection Of Taxes i'm St. Landry.

Uptothe Sth inst, 2,1G9 taxpayers
in this parish had paid their State
and parish taxes on the last assess
ment rolls. About six hundred tax
payers were then in arrears, and Of
that number, over three hundred are
non-residents. At the same date
last year, only 1,64S had settled
their taxes, making the difference of
521 in favor Of the present year.
This increased promptness i~npaying
taxes, has taken place, notwith-
standing the stringency this year i'll
money matters. This change is due,
we think, to the admirable system
and order Mr.. Sittig has introduced
into the collectors office. When he
assumed the duties of the office,
delinquent taxpayers were on the
increase; they + now on the de-
crease. It is probable that this
change is due in a great measure to
the fact that the property of wealthy
delinquent taxpayers was seized by
Mr.. Sittig at the outset; this was
evidence to the poorer ones that he
intended to make no distinctions.
Some, who were among the most
reluctant to pay a year ago, are now
among the most prompt.
The greater part of the property
of the nonresident d%elinquents on
the assessment roll, was heretofore
not assessed, and they had no taxes
to pay. Mr.. Sittig has. hunted up
and brought their lands into ses
ment. AS these lands yield no reve-
nue., being unimproved, their owners
will probably not care to pay the
taxes on them, and they will have
to be sold. There will be q good
opportunity hereforland spectators.
The news of preparations for an
immediate and vigorous prosecution
of the work on the New Orleans and
Texas Railroad, from Donaldsonville
to the Texas line, comes to us from
many quarters.
Nearly every foot of land contigu-
GUS to the road and in the south
western portion of this parish, has
been taken up under the Homestead
act of Congress. We think we may
safely say that within one year from
this time the population of this par
ish will be increased by eight hun
bred or one thousand persons. All
public lands having any timber at
tached, and within several miles of
the road, are being eagerly taken up
by all Independent class of working
people, American, German and Irish,
from New Orleans.
Western St. Landry, hitherto con
sidered a region worthless save for
raising wild cattle and horses, will
ere long be a thickly settled and
prosperous community.
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Big CANE TOURNAMENT CLUB
We have received a letter from Mr..
Frank Garter, Secretary of this
Club, stating that it's next tourna-
ment will be held on Thursday, the
7th day of next September. The
officers for this year are O. S. Smith,
President; L. S. Hazard, Vice
President; J,eA. Kirkpatrick, Treas
urer; Frank Carter, Secretary; A.
F. Marshall, j. NJ. Currey and G..
M. freshman, Marshals; and P. G..
Callahan and E. A. Carmouche,
Timers.
This is a married mems club, we
believe; but all single knights, by
conforming to the rules Of the asso-
citation and paying an entrance fee
of five dollars, will be admitted to
contend.
We are invited, and, if circum-
stances permit, it will afford us
much pleasure to be present on that
occasion.
RAISE YOUR Own SUPPLIES