The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1872-07-17
Communication.

There has been much said and much
interest manifested lately in reform.
botL National and State, but very lit
tie interest seems to be taken in Parish
REFORM The only indication in that
way is short editorial that occurred
in the Gazette of the number before
the last. There is not any reason why
we should sit quietly and see ourselves
taxed illegally and unjnstly without
raising our voices against the outrage.
The Police Jury are the legislators for
the Parish, and while it is their duty
to conform their acts to the best inter-
est of those whom they represent, it is
certainly the duty of those taxed to
set forth their grievances,sif any
there be.
We do not propose to deal with their
acts farther than those passed by the
last Police Jury. This was a session
from which the people expected some
relief, because of two new appoint
ments recently made. The writer has
fconyersed with many citizens relative
to extravaganza, injustice and illegal
ty of the acts OF the Police Jury at its
last session and has to see the first who
does not condemn them. Ga,
A tax of twenty-five thousand dol
lars 1922, 0OU has been levied and that
very small amount was appropriated
for public improvements of any char
acter is really wonderful. The ques-
ton then arises, what is to become OF
the peoples money 2 aud the answer
is, large portion is paid out to the
salaried officers of the Jury and for
maps which the people are not able to
pay for and do not want. During the
past year, it is known to all, large
amount of property was advertised to
be sold for taxes, the parties to whom
the property belonged not being able
to obtain the money to pay. the taxes
ION same; the Tax Collector INDUCED
the parties long rs he could, then adj
vertised the property, but such was
the scarcity of money that there was
very few instances where the property
sold for enough to pay the taxes, and
the Tax Collector was forced to desist
because of the failure to obtain suffi,
cheney of funds to pay the taxes and
expenses But this Police Jury found
SO much money in the treasury or sucf
an easy means of making it, that they
appropriated twelve hundred dollars
for the purchase of maps, SO that the
land owners may view the premises
i which passed from them simply be
cause the taxes were so enormous they
could not retain their property. Thi'
is at least consoling. This was an ap
preparation to pay for maps which I
previous Jury had bargained for a
seven hundred dollars. If we mistake
not; and VIC are really left to conjec
ture whethen twelve hundred or nine
: teen hundred is to be paid for the ne
; cessa,y maps.
! Next are the salaries of the officers
The Parish Attorney is to receive on
thousand dollars. Before the wa
f Judges Manning, Ogden, Elgee AM
! Dunbar filled the same position, and
we mistake not, none of them did no
receive more than three hundred dol
lars. They were all men competent
we'll as the present incumbent. TIL
Officer of the Police Jury previous t
the war never received over two hun
Q dred dollars, but in a>spirit of charity
r the salary was raised to four hundre
dollars. The Clerks salary is jus
double what it was when the Paris
E was thrifty and wealthy. Now we al
g poor, oppressed and prosecuted, 8
# home and abroad. The levy of til
q Parish taxes IS fifty per cent. in exces
: of the State tax, directly in violatio
q of law, and learn when the Jury wei
. informed by its Parish Attorney the
were exceeding their jurisdiction, til
. President informed him they knew
. but the Parish was in debt and IL
q people would pay. How thoughtful {
e the peoples obligations; while at IL
= same sitting he put in bill of twent
g dollars for hack hire for transportatic
II of his person some thirty miles dow
% Bayou Beuf, over a disagreeable, Sui
h ny road, when the law regulates his Fl
bills, and this little bill was passed..
Again, a jury is drawn illegally, so d
4" cides the Supreme Court, and for goi1
n to the Gazette Office and having a n
Il tice to that effect put in that paper,
l. fee of twenty dollars is receive
in The road leading from Alexandria
20 Bayou Robert had been let out to
A. party who failed to comply with |
Il contract, aud persons not only subjec
y ed to inconvenience, but number
stock hitched to wagons and udder
saddle were begged down, and some
m them died; yet tho Police Jury pr
~ the contractor and received the road
:. almost impossible condition. So stan
the road up to this day-the trees ha
- not been cut out of it up to date.
as ri. c,,,roo ro,rt aao;dod q,