The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1873-03-22
MR.. KELLOaG's TAX PROCLAMATION

we can't say that we are very gresa'
~ disturbed by the Tax proclamation
of Mr.. Kellogg. AS literary extrav-
aganza, of the opera-bouffe style, IL
certainly possesses some merit, even in
this age of extreme political burlesques.
The usurping Governor explores the
whole field of his obstacles, hits his
toes against every obstruction he knows
lies in his way-virtually saying to|
the taxpayer, here you may trouble
me, and there you can trip me-and,
out of his dire desperation in his only
feasible project of forcing himself up
on the people, comes down to real,
honest fabrication and braggadocio in
order to provide means out of the pocl-
cts of honest people to defray the ex-
penses of his fraudulent government.
A contributor to the columns of the
Picayune styles the proclamation
6,ut,tna .fs.ln,en-a harmless thunder
holland the writer has hit the nail
exactly on the head. We say plainly
to Mr.. Kellogg that his proclamation
is the highest and best evidence we
we have yet seen from him that his
pretensions as Governor are worth
less, and that he really breads a con-
fiict with the tax-paying portion of the
people of tho State. If Mr.. Kellogg
felt assured OF his success, ultimately,
and was imbued with a consciousness
OF rectitude in his assumptions as Gov
ernor, he would be very far from pre-
facing his proclamation, as he has done,
with long string OF ,rhe'eoses, indi-
eating, clearly, that unless he is able
to intimidate the people and force his
way through, there is no hope for the
perpetuity Of his government. In the
first place, such a proclamation from
the Governor of a State, is an acknow1-
edgment of weakness and a want of
confidence; and, in the second place,
issued, as this one is, with absurd
threats of criminal prosecutions, it cam
not be viewed by any citizen, claiming
to be a man, but as the silly vaporings
of u harmless usurper.
Mr.. Kellogg undoubtedly grew up
in a school where threats passed cur
rent for courage, and where men bar
tered their rights, EAau-like, for
mess of pottage; otherwise, being a
man, he would have spt,rnetl from him,
as unworthy of the position he has
usurped, the suggestions of intinaidat-
ing the people into the support of his
government. 1t should have been his
policy to tender to the people, first,
some assurance that he means we'll
that he is actively engaged in reform,
and that only good men arc chosen for
office-before even asking the means to
keep up his government. But Mr..
Kellogg prefers to play the part OF
braggart and a highwayman, and to
demand our purses even before we have
| consented to make his acquaintance.
Pursuing his purpose indicated by rob-
berry of the Office he claims, he now
proposes to rob the people OF their
money to carry him to success.
Either Mr.. Kellogg has mistaken the
material upon which he aims to oper-
ate, or wo have, one. lie believes he
can threaten the people into supporting
his army corps OF robbers, but we do
not. We give the people credit for
consistency, manhood and public vir-
tue; but Mr.. Kellogg does not. We
are willing to leave tho taxpayers to
decide which Of tho two is correct !;
and, meanwhile, we issue
OUR PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, w. p. Kellogg is not,
nor ever was Governor Of the State;
WHEREAS, we do not believe in per-
jury in the Executive;
WHEREAS, we love Louisiana, her
credit, her name and her people, and
desire to see, at some time, a return to
enlightened self-governnent,
Now, therefore, we issue this, our
proclamation, solemnly declaring we
will not pay taxes to the Kellogg gov
ernment.
All Mr.. Kellogg can say, he has
said, which is, that tlehlulting tax
| collectors will be prosecuted and this
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