The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-07-07
EXCESSIVE TAXATION.
IT'S DEPRESSING EFFECT.

people.
The fearful extravaganza in the administr
'' ton Of the State Government, the reckle
expenditures Of its officials, the unlimited al
S, unprecedented gratuities conferred upon a
h sorts of rotten corporations, and the squaI
: dering of the public money for partisan al
N political purposes, have entaled upon Il
r people a debt which they never can pay.
!" Nor is this alarming condition of finance
= more particularly does this crushing weight
d debt bear most disastrously upon the ia.
4. payer. Look at the number Of f. .fas in th
hands of the Sheriff, for the forced collectio
of taxes, and the sight is appalling. Atten
the sales Of property and observe how fearfi
l is its sacrifice Walk through the bushes
+ streets and note the number of g stores fo
rent " and "houses for sales" Scan the ad
vertising columns Of the newspapers, and rea
the notices of merchants selling out in orde
: to close up business, and finally mark tn
! hundreds of men and women who are appli
cants for employment.
All of these facts are highly significant, ant
tell tale of financial embarrassment ant
commercial ruin unprecedented in the history
Of this country.
The question naturally suggests itself Why
this gloomy and deplorable state of affairs
We answer Because the people are taxed to
death. They gre required to contribute from
their scanty means in such disproportion that
but a few years will suffice to absorb their en-
tire possessions In other words, the present
rate Of taxation is gradual but sure confsca-
| ton.
1t is not surprising then, withsthis fact star
ing them in the face, that capitalists from
| abroad cannot be induced to make invest
ments here. By the ordinary rules Of politi-
cal economy and the science of finance they
can calculate, with perfect accuracy, the
length Of time it will require to absorb every
dollar they may venture in business here, at
the rates of taxation and other charges i'm
posed upon trade and all commercial en-
terprises, by the government under which we
live
As it is the aim of every capitalist and
every laboring man to add to his store Of
wealth it would be both unreasonable and I'M
fair to expect either of them to embark their
time labor and fortune in a community where
nothing is held out but certain bankruptcy
and ruin. Hence we find dearth of capital |
in New Orleans, not sufficient, even, for the |
ordinary transaction of trade, and with each |
day. we may say, the money market is growing
more and more restricted, and money more
lificult to be obtained In fact, the financial
'tringency Of this city is so great that large
number Of planters have been compelled to
transfer their business from this place to
Memphis, st. Louis and Cincinnati, where ac-
ommodations could be more readily had for
moving their crops
This fearful loss of business and trade is
likewise having its effect 1t withdraws from
ur port just so many bales of cotton and
ugar ; it dispenses with just 80 many cotton
resses; it does away with just so much tom
age and it leaves without employment just 50
lany draymen and longshoremen, and with
raws from our merchants and banks lust SO
luch valuable capital
1t is indeed a sad, very sad and dark pic
Ire of the present condition of the once flour
hing and growing Crescent City. But it is ;
ue in every particular, and not in the least
Verdrawn or exaggerated and the sooner our !,
eopae wake up to full realization of the
al danger that surrounds them on all sides,
e sooner will they check the encroachments g
decay and corruption.
Until, therefore, the cause of these CONNER
II and financial disasters be removed. it is
eless to hope for any improvement in the !
aterial interests Of the city. Heavy and op- !
essive taxation spring from bad government i;
ID government is the result Of corrupt and .,
beetle officials and until they be driven h,
m office and power, the country will Ian
ish and the people will suffer. -
In conclusion, then, we would ask our peo- =,
) if they can any longer afford to remain in -
state Of supineness and quiescence? Will 80
y not throw off the lethargy and indifference q,
ich seem to govern their conducts Is not OF
s great city worth struggle on their part u; IL
rescue it from impending ruin? All that is or
'ded is a resolute determination to strike M
blow in behalf Of good government, and
t obtained. all the advantages will immedi- FIJI
ly follow. 81
The remedy for all Of our present misfor-
es and unhappiness is emphatically poll
j one, and to this great work must all OF
people devote the nselves until the ravages oh
he fearful diseases that are gnawing at the So
lis of the country are effectually checked ~o
the very root extirpated and destroyed. 4"
until then can we look for healthy state of e''
body polite. or the return of vigorous
nhood and mental quiet to all Of our people. 'ne
be
Ir. VIM. F. johnson, newsdealer, 319 Old in
zee street, has our thanks for the latest the
torial World, The Scientific American,
'per's Bazaar, Harper's Weekly, Wild Oats, :
b and Boys Of America The Scotsman.
nrday Evening Post and the Danbury ~