The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-11-30
Over Taxation.

have given it their earnest attention, in
spirit of calm, fair Investigation: The an
nexed extract is from the pen Of one
of Louisiana's most gifted writer's;
gentleman, at the same time, of unblem.
ished character and unquestioned patriot
ism. Mr.. Chas. Gayarre 10 too we'll known |
to require any endorsement, and his rea- |
soning will speak for itself.
There can be but little doubt that the |
frightful taxation under which our people |
groan, ought to be legally resisted. It
would naturally seem that city govern
ment, elected by the people from their own
midst, and on the supposition that it would
be representative of their interests, ought
to exert every particle Of its strength and
energy to diminish taxation, and contest
all questionable public debt. Has it done
sof
1t has continued in Office City Attorney
put in position by a Warmoth admins
tratien and said to be Radical in politics.
What can be expected of legal proceedings
counseled and prosecuted by such a per-
son just what has been done and moth
ing else. Instead of steadily protesting
against the validity of nearly all the city
debt and refusing to pay interest on it, the
City Council lays an enormous tax on our
people to meet that interest. Instead of
cutting down the running expenses of the
city to something like the figures Of the
olden time, as large tax as ever is laid to
pay them.
! 1t is said that the persons elected to these
City Hall births are afraid of Kellogg and
his Legislature. They would like to do
otherwise but dare not. Then let them re-
sign. Kellogg's appointees could not do
worse than they, and the responsibility
would rest on the proper shoulders. AS
it is, their action may be taken as kind of
ratification by the people, whose real re-
personalities they claim to be. But we
leave the statement of the case to Mr..
Gayarre:
As to the urban population of the State, par
tioularly the Inhabitants Of New Orleans, it
| may be safely asserted-which assertion would
| be confirmed by their almost unanimous testi-
mony, if necessary-that hardly any one of
them, whatever may be hia pursuits, his capa-
| city, his energy, and the ample amount of
property he owns, has been able to cover the
| current expenses of the year, notwithstanding
the strictest vigilance and economy For the
self but too often, will have to record o fact
without q precedent-which is-that in times
Of profound peace, in the nineteenth century
Of the Christian Era, among people claiming to
be the most free and prosperous of all the ma
tions on the face of the globe there is . city of
200, 900 souls, called New Orleans, and far fam
thirds Of the revenue Of the property therein
situated would not be accepted as Gift on
condition to pay the taxes, and that there are
in it daily scenes Of distress, which arc as
imagination of Dickens,
Can anything be now held to be incredible
This statement applies more or less to all our
aggregate, are all paupers. The only differ.
ence between themis- that they may be divid-
ed into the genteel and ungentesl pauper,
part Of the latter, but all perishihg by inches,
stoicslly, dignifedly, secretly, without Sign
or word expressive of agony. It is truly
sublime. But the sublime may be out ofplace.
Cannot something more practical be done 2
According to statement Published by the
State Auditor, 1t appears that oil tho taxable
property in the State was assessed in 1870 ut
S251 ,246. OH, which property, on account of ex-
traordinary depreciation since that time, would
hardly sell, in 1873, for 500 600 00O-so that il
results that the people in Louisiana, merely to
have to pay considerably more than ten per
cent per annum on the value of what they in
reality, as mass, do not own, but merely pos
sess, after balancing their assets and liabilities
bilities $4o,0O0,OOO of private indebtedness
outside of the State; S24 72s 900 oftaxes to pay,
emitting millions for penalties incurred, and
besides several millions for the support Of the
General Government. Our assests are $780,
| oO0,o00 OF property, at cash valuation-say
$50 o0o 600 if you please. The rural popuia-
| ton averages, as we have seen. an annual pro-
duct Of about $3.50 per head. How much of
that can the poor devils spare to meet their
share in the mere payment of their taxes-and
live Really not cent. As to our urban
population, what do they produce per head
Can they make as good a showing as the rural
Can they exhibit their $40 900 of product.
Arc they not in much worse condition than
those who drive the ploughi Are they in
their mortaged houses better able to pay their
taxes than their fellow citizens in the field :
| 1t almost unsettles the brain to Contemplate
suoh Q state of things.
+ What court of competent jurisdiction would
not render decision of insolvency against
Louisiana What are the bonds of tbs State
and her certificates of indebtedness worth. If |
half Of this exhibit is truef Who would give
ior them ten cents on she dollar A general |
Impression prevails that many were fraudent- |
y issued: II true to the specnlatng holders of |
those obligation who got them for q song, NAV
ia1 he IA