The weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1872-1882, 1873-01-18

/ SIAN A, SAT u II - "A
subject OF vast importance u the State.
bill has passed tue Senate Of the Unite
States, and is now before the House, lool
ing to that object There is apparently
growing disposition on the part of the gen
eral government to secure closer coinnel
cial intercourse With Mexico. Increases
facilities Of commerce by way of New Oz
leans, it is clear, will 60 far to attain thi
desirable result ]. recommend that til
General Assembly memorable Congress +
pass the bill now before them, or SOM
other of like imp ort.' -,
THE LEvEEs.
The State of Louisiana has larger allu
vial territory than any other State border
ing upon the Mississippi, and hence has I
greater interest than any of them in an ct
ticient levee system. To restrain th'
waters Of this mighty stream within it
proper channel is On almost herculear
task. It has long been conceded to b.
aplropri tely a national work. During
my labors in a different department Of thu
public service was in q position to as
certain the views: of the national legisL.
turs on this important subject, and found
them to be in consonance with this opin
ion. The Legislature of this State, how
ever, by the incorporation of the Levee
Company in 1871, having adopted on q
very large scale plan Of its own for the
construction and repairing of lcvees, the
consideration of the subject by the nation.
al government was postponed. I recon-
mend that the Legislature authorize the
appointment of a committee, to be COM
posed of citizens, fully competent to ex-
anime and report upon the character and
suaiciency of the levees constructed and in
process Of construction by the company,
and the degree of energy with which the
work is being conducted. In matter OF
such magnitude and Importance, and like
ly to constitute so great DIR lin on the
State treasury, it is all important that the
people should know from the most rclia-
bic sources whether this gigantic under
taking is really to be successful, and con-
fer upon the State the results promised.
The public interest imperatively demands
that no half way measures shall be tolerat-
ed in tie execution of works for which the
people so lavishly bestow their money.
FINANCE.
The financial condition Of the State is n
subject of profound solicitude, and will
be discussed in future communications.
The funded debt Of the State, as reported
by the Auditor, amounts to s21, 1,SO1 800;
the unfundel debt, including certificates
of indebtness, Auditors warrants. and
amount due the fiscal agent, amounts Il,
50, 291. .607 80, and the. interest on the
funded debt amounts to 81, ,572. .153 IA an
nually. The revenue to be derived from
the present rate of taxation, licenses, and
other sources for the current year will be
sufficient to pay all the necessary expenses
of the State government, to pay the in
terest overdue, and that which will be-
come due on the funded debt during the
present year, to pay the legislative ex-
penses, and to provide for the redemption
Of the past due bonds. There is no good
reason why the rate of taxation, after the
current year, should not he steadily re-
iuced. The delinquent taxes amount to
s3,028, ,917 81, due Oh the assessments Of
1870 and 1871. These taxes should be
paid, and the requisite legislation should
oe had to secure their collection. From
he best evidence obtainable it is evident
hat the delinquent lists is in great
measure composed of those who are most
Ible to pay. The poor man pays his taxes
md the rich should not be exempted.
II the taxes now due were paid the future
md necessary expenses of the State would
,e provided for, and the State would be
nut upon cash. basis. The policy Of
lrawing warrants when there is no money
n the treasury to meet them is most per-
,icious. A State warrant, in contempla-
ion of law, is check, and should not be
|nawn unless there is money in tho treas
ny to meet it
No appropriations. whatever should be
made except such as are actually necessary
. carry on the State government and to
1,serve full faith with all holders of State
blisations. There must be rigid economy
n the expenditures of the General. ASSEM-
ly, the expenses ofwhich ought not to ex-
eed 5000, ,OOO. ..-. 49,.
TAX COLLECTION. |
The ldws regarding the manner of as
essing and collecting taxes, both of the
tate and the city Of New Orleans, should
Q carefully revised; and one system Of
shonid serve for both city and
tate. The rate OF assessment On property |
| the country parishes and in New Or
ans is unequal. This unjust discrimi-
ation should not continue. The compen-
Ition received by tax collectors and asses-
,rs, especially in tho city Of New Orleans,
exorbitant and { recommend that it te
,duced. There has been, during the
st two years, q shameful neglect on the
art Of tax collectors TO account for their
nd in many cases the securi-