Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-01-25

FER upon the State the results ls.in
/, Used. The public intere. imneya
! lively demands that no half.wa,
measures shall be tolerated in tn,
/, execution OF works for which the
people SO lavishly bestowed their
, money. li4i
n FINANCE. W
/. The financial condition of the
State-is subject of Profound solici.
) tude, and will be discussed in future
communications. The funded debt
of the State, as reported by the Au.
ditor. amounts to s21 sol 500; me
uniunded debt, including certilica-
ties of Indebtedness, Auditors war
rants, and amount due the fiscal
agent, amounts to S2,201, COZ 80,
and the interest on the funded debt
amounts to &l,572, 153 IA annually.
The revenue to be derived from the
present rate of taxation, licenses,
and other sources for the current
year will he sufficient to pay all
the necessary expenses of the State
government, to pay the interest
overdue, and that which will become
due on the funded debt during the
present year, to pay the legislative
expenses, and to provide for the re
demptiOn OF the past due bonds.
There is no good reason why the
rate of taxation, alter the current
year, should not be steadily reduced.
The delinquent faxes amount to So
O2S,9l7 II, due on the assessments
OF 1870 and 1872. These taxes should
be paid, and the requisite legislation
should be had to secure their col.
lection. From the best evidence
obtainable it is evident that the de-
linquent list is. iii a great measurs
composed of those who are most !
able to pay. The poor man pays
his taxes and the rich should not be
exempted. 81 ,thca1te 9s
If the taxes now due were paid |
the future and necessary expenses
OF the State would be provided for.
and the State would be put upon a |
cash basis. The policy Of drawing
warrants when there is no money in
the treasury to meet them is most
pernici0us- A State warrant. in
contemplation of law, is "a check,
and should not be drawn unless
there is money in the treasury to
meet it. tt.A> 4
No appropriations whatever
should he made except such as are
actually necessary to carry on the
State government, and to observe
full faith with all the holders OF
State obligations. There must be
rigid economy in the expenditures +
OF the General Assembly, the ex-
pel.ses of which ought not to exceed
S200,000. -qz ., m
TAX COLLECTION. |
The laws regarding the manner of
assessing and collecting taxes, both
of the State and the city of New Or.
leans, slIonld be carefully revised,
and one system o assessment
shonld serve for both city and State.
The rate OF assessment on property
IN the country parishes and in New
Orleans is unequal. This unjust
discrimination should not continue.
The compensation received by tax !
collectors and assessors, especially II
IN the city of New Orleans, is exor-
I,i'ant, aud | recommend that it be
rtfnced. There has been. during II
he last Two years. a shameful nrg.
ect on the part of tax collectors to /,
account for their collections and in {
many cases the securities furnished /,
nave proved worthless. Some eflrc- ,
i've measures should be at once 3
AIKEN to remedy this evil. i. 1
o. EXECUTIVE PATRONAGE. C9
The executive is invested with
arge amount Of patrOnage-in ms u
Judgment, too much. 1t would be $
'etter for the executive and. better {
or the State if a large proportion I
II this patronage were RENTED hack t
0 the people to whom it properly 9
Belongs. The dispensing OF patron l
sc is at once most delicate and 6
espOnsible task. Party services, G
doubtless, when hOnorably perform. d
d, entitle an applicant to cOnsidera.
lOn,Sbut the claim should also be
o'lniled in capacity and integrity. :,
ceiling myself responsible is great !
MEASURE to- the good conduct of >
very public officer, | sllallf hold y
ach TO a strict accountability for :
he faithful and proper discharge OF !.
lis official duties. 'i r,eisi 'Gr ~
'ELATfoN OF CAPITAL AND LABOR .
In a republican government such II
$ ours, where all power is lodged in e
he people, and the will OF the lieo- {,
lie is expressed through the ballot II
OK, it is absolutely essential that h