The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-04-05
Proclamation by the Governor.

Proclamation by the Governor.
On the 18th instant Governor Kel-
logg issued the following proclama-
ton;
Whereas, reliable information has
reached me that certain evil disposed
or misguided persons propose to COM
bine, or have combined, into associa-
tons, for the purpose Of resisting the
payment of taxes due the State, with
the av0wed object Of bringing the
State government into disrepute, and
with the further avowed evil purpose
Ut overthrowing the said State gov
ernment, by preventing it from receiv-
ling, through the collection of taxes,
the means for its support; and
Whereas, It is of the first impor-
lance to restore the credit of the State
and city, now impaired by the revo-
lutionary conduct of certain preten-
ders to official station in this State,
by the defalcations and derelictions
OF duty OF tax collectors under the
late State Administration, by the acts
Of the Tax Resisting Association of
New Orleans, ian organization which
has been In existence for more than
eighteen months past), and by other
causes and
Whereas, experience shows that tax
resisting associations result in the
wealtlier classes escaping payment Of
their taxes, while poorer men are mt
only compelled to pay their taxes,
but additional penalties and costs,
and in addition thereto much heavier
rate of taxation than would be re-
qnisite if those better able to pay
promptly met their just obligations to
the State; and
Whereas, the delinquent tax lists
OF this State, us shown by the Audi
tors books, amount to the enormous
sum OF $2,3l 1921 6O-the proportion
OF the city of New Orleans alone being
81 ,492 ,255 S5-s;lid taxes having ac-
craed and fallen due under the late
administration, and the greater portion
of them being due from those best
able to pay; and.
Whereas, it is but just and right
that the burden of supporting the State>
government should fall as equitably
us possible, under the law, upon all
classes Of the population, and that no
one class should be allowed to eyade |
the payment of taxes, either by COM
binatlons and associations under the
gnise OF passive resistance, or by any
other illegal means or pretences-; and |
Whereas, it is made my imperative
duty to see that the taxes are duly and |
promptly collected, and that all per-
sons who conspire in any way to in-
jnre the State credit, whether by pas
sive or active resistance, shall be pre-
vented from such unlawful acts;
Now, therefore, /, William P. KEEL
logg, Governor of the State of Louis
lana, being DESTROYS Of avoiding, if
possible, the prosecution of any citi-
gen, and being anxious to restore the
public credit, and to inaugurate an
administration Of retrenohment and
reform in the financial aff:.irs Of the
State and city, and being determined,
rs faras il1Any power, to suppress all
unlawful combinations, associations
and conspiracies for the illegal pur-
poses hereinbefo1e mentioned, do
hereby direct the tax collectors in
every part of the State to proceed
forthwith with the collection of the
taxes due the State, and to use all
legal measures to insure obedience to
this order; and to the end that the
credit Of the State may he restored
The much needed internal improve y;
ments be prosecuted, and the burden
Df supporting the government be more
distributed than heretofore,
and the present heavy taxation be re- ,
luced, l do hereby warn all citizens
% desist from taking part in any COM