New Orleans Republican., 1873-04-11
PROCLAMATION.
STATE OF Got1sIANx, }
Executive Department, :
&am 0rlaana March l2 lRr2 y

New orleans, marcn Is, 1918.
wberess. Reliable information has reached me
that certain evil disposed OF misguided persons
propose 10 combine, have mbined. into associ'
ations for the purpose Of resisting the payne OF
taxes due the State, with the avowed object OF
bringing the State government into disrepute, and
with the further avowed evil purpose OF overthrow
ing the said State government, by preventing II
from receiving, through the collection OF taxes,
the means for its support; and
Whereas 1t is of the first Importance to restore
the credit of the State and city now impaired by
the revolutionary conduct of certain pretenders to
official station in this State, by the detalcatons
and derelctons of duty of tax collectors under
the late State administration, by the acts OF the
Tax Resisting Association of New Orleans tan Or
sanlzatjon which mas been in existence for more
than eighteen months pastl, and by other causes
and
whereas, Experience shows that tax resisting
associations result in the weather. classes escap
ing payment of their taxes, while poorer men are
not only compelled TO pay their taxes, but add1
tonal penalties and costs, and in addition thereto
a much heavier rate of taxation than would be
requisite if those better able to pay promptly met
their Just obligations to the State; and
Whereas The delinquent tax lists of the State,
as shown by the Auditors books, amount to the
enormous sum of s., ,39l S2l 60-the proportion of
the city of New Orleans alone being l,472,225 95-
said taxes having accrued and fallen due under
the late ADM nistraton. and the greater portion of
them being due from those best able to pay; and
Whereas, 1t is but Just and right that the burden
o. supporting the State government should fall as
equitably as possible, under the law. upon all
classes of the population. and that no one class
should be allowed te evade the payment of taxes.
,the nv hi nations and asSnciatiODs under the
guise of passive resistance. OF by any other illegal
means pretenses; and
Whereas, It is made my imperative duty TO see
that the taxes are duly and promptly collected.
and that all persons who cOnspire in any way
to iniure the State credit whether by passive or
active resistance. shall be prevented from such un'
lawful acts:
Now. therefore, I. William P. Kellogg, Governor
OF the State Of louisiana being desrous OF avoid
ing If possible. the prosecution of any citizen. and
being anxious TO restore the public credit, and to
inaugurate an administration OF retrenchment and
reform in the financial affairs of the State and
city. and being determined. as far is in my
power. to suppress all unlawful combinations. as
socatons and cOnspiracies for the Illegal purposes
hereinbefOre mentioned do hereby direct the tax
collectors in every part of the State to proceed
forthwith with the collection of tho taxes
due the state and 10 use al !tSdA
measures TO insure obedience to this ORDER
and TO the end that the credit of the State
may be restored. the much needed inter
nal improvements be prosecuted. and the burden
OF supporting the government be more equitably
distributed than heretofore, and the present heavy
taxation be reduced, do hereby warn all citizens
to desist from taking part in any combination. as
socatiOn conspiracy having for its object the
resistance. passive otherwise of the collection
OF the taxes due the State, and request them to
comply with the Ia " and with their duty. by the
prompt payment OF their taxes; and do hereby d.
rect the Attorney General and the district and
parish attorneys throughout the State 10 prosecute
without delay. cviy, crminally and to the fulest
extent of the law. all defaulting tax collectors
who rep ported as such. after the publication of
this proclamation.
Given under my hand and the seal of the State
hereunto attached. this thirteenth day of March,
in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and sew
enty-th1ee. and Of the independence of the United
States tie u!nety.seventh.
WILLIAM P. KELLOGG.
By the Governor:
p. q. DESLONDE,
Secretary Of STATE. nhl3 2p