The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-03-30

ihese are only specimens. All the rest
'''efnn'hed In the same irregular and arbitr
> y manner according to mere caprice or pref,
= a'ce. For instance, last year and this yea
8 Inc rates and classifcations above mentione
nave oeen materially modified, and in som
, respects entirely reversed. Thus wo hav
o'ner ana fnrther evidence of the total alb
scnce OF any rational basis for this form Of
taxation.
let the Supreme Court have always beer
dear to the clear demonstrations of the abso
iuto absence of equality, uniformity, or jus.
ticc In this system. They have been fertile
IN Pretexts for deciding that the Legislature
may arbitrarily divide the trades and calm gs
| into classes" and then tax one class more or
| less IMAM another, just they please, and
"ithout rule or compass. Evidently therefore
tue constitutional guarantee is eyaded multi
ned, rendered vain, and reduced to q dead let
ter.
III regard to the property tax it has not been
so easy LOT the Legislature to do away with the
CONSTITUTION; but still they have found two
ways OF doing SO. One is, not to levy any tax
Whatever on certain kinds of property,
though the constitution says that one kind
snail not DO taxed higher than another. Certain
~ Tue tax IS higher on the kinds which are taxed
thah on the kinds that are not taxed at all.
no otner way 49, to compel city corpora
tion or parish, to levy an extra or special tax,
anu TO mana 1t over to some State-appointed
officials, such as the Park Commissioners or
Mexlcan Gulf Canal Company, or Board of
metropolitan police. Tho extra tax which
"oulo not be uniform as q State Tax, since it
would not be levied throug nout the State
Is disguised, and made to pass as u Corporate
lax although imposed by the State Leeisla-
ture against the will. or at least without the |
concurrence, of the people of city or parish, !
or their representatives in the Municipal |
Council.
Tue above very brief statement of tho vio-
iations OF constitutional principles in the man.
ner OF levying taxes in this State, suffices We
think, to show that the tax cessters arc iusti-
liable. We consider it to be the right asd
duty OF all good citizens, to refuse to paw
an unjust, oppressive, exhorbitant or uncou-
stltutional tax, or system of taxation This
IS their duty TO themselves, to their country.
and to republican Institutions.
But, it may be said that all resistance ia
vain, that the resisters will be ultimately
overcome, to their great Loss, etc. Consider
ing the utter disregard of right and conscience
The powers that be have exhibited. the cbances
are in favor of those who predict that tbev
will do evil. Still, we insist that resistance
TO wrong will ultimately produ CO good results.
The mere fact of resist ance will do good. Tba
obstacles opposed to wrong, tho difficulties IL
will be compelled to contend with. will de-
ninish it's confidence in itself, and mako it
If it's way is made easy it wonld be encouraged
nCTllDa Il
credit the wrong-doer will be impaired. his re-
ources deminished, and his ability to do harm
'e greatly crippled.
IFne' we have little to hope from the Legis-
ature ana Supreme Court Of the State. True,
hough our State Constitution bristIes with ar
icles and clauses guaranteeing equal rights,
he Supreme Court will refuse to enforce these
favor OF the tax-Psying portion of the peo-
lie. Nevertheless, there is o gleam of hope
rom another quarter. There is higher break
n the clouds of oppression that have hung
Ver our polClcal skies. In their ardent zeal |
emancipate and elevate the black man, the
'orthern states have added brand new articles
o the Federal Constitution and it turns ont
hat these very articles may be- turned against
he wrongs, our Barbarian State Government
you'd fain infict on the white man. These
lew articles impose principles of oqudIity upon
he state Governments, and thereby insure
lie right OF appeal from the Supreme Court of :
he state to the Supreme Court of the United ,
tateS' IN oil cases in which this equality is ,
nfringed The famous fourteenth amendment .
artieularly has this effect. 1t says: "No
tate shall mako or enforce any law which
hall abridge tho privileges or immunities of p
isi1ens Of the United States, nor shall any
tate deprive any person Of life, liberty or ,
rOPsEty WithoRt doe process Of Law, ser dssv =