The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-05-17
To Be or Not To Be.

| ness capacity who thus TAR stano the sIoiii J
and NAV weather it through. They may
be able TO paw their taxes by drawing on
the proceeds of their own personal exer-
tons and labors. By losing their money
they may save their property ) but it does
not fare SO we'll with property holders who
have nothing to rely on but their rents.
Widows, minors, and persons retired from
business, find themselves absolutely with
out means to pay taxes. Rents have oeeh
greatly lowered, and in four cases out OF
FIVE they remain unpaid in whole or in
part.
The taxes have in the meantime, gen
orally accumulated they remain unpaid
for several years, and, by very unwise
and destructive provision of our law, they
increase with frightful rapidity through an
annual interest or damage oftwenty tive per
cent, besides most ouerous costs and
charges The debtors have postponed and
begged off until the sheriff has no longer
any discretion. He is obliged to act and
his action is the eviction of thousands from
their property. So enormous have been
the taxes and 80 enormously is their am
cunt augmented by penalties, that when
several years have accumulated, people
become hopeless. No one will lend them
money they cannot sell the sheriff must
sell for them and they let it go. They are
reduced to the state of paupers, and the
population, as such, is anuihilated.
This evil is greatly aggravated by the
extraordinary over-assessment OF property
We have seen an estimate that the proper
ty within this city is assessed at just about
double it's value, and we are not prepared
to dispute that estimate. This evil is the
worse from the arbitrary powers conferred
on assessors by our laws, and the difficulty
of reviewing or correcting their valuation.
OF course, when men are paid in proper
, ton to the over. assessment they make,
this result cannot surprise it must in
deed be intended by the legislation which
tempted them with such bride of iniqui
ty.
Now, all this is clear subversion of
+. principle which makes the foundation of
= our politicale existence, which is that govern
ment is established for the benefit of the
governed. In our case, it exists for their
, destruction. 1t is an engine of oppression,
e an instrument for cxtortng the last cent
of their money and frally confscating
their property.
The question naturally arises, would it
| not be better not to have any government.
State government could not well be dis
pcrsCd with, but SO far as the city is con,
ccrned, of what use is its corporate powerf
1t is said, the streets must be cleaned or
there will be sickness, the roads and
wharvcs must be repaired or commerce
will be injured. But the old residents are
not afraid of the sickness, and of what
benefit will the commerce be TO them when
they are sold out and driven away Their
prosperity would be somewhat diminished
By yellow fever aud by impediments to
commerce. bit they would still have their
property .-d e-ioy reasonable share OF
-.:e-e:.5T. W. 1:-3=: lie Blessings Of a
-, rir.rl r,.It.. 'Ir pla.jy i.=E = u: pay,
iiln, A.. "nrlnint ~ u6EG'T- 5-@ .1em
a.ir,s Il t:IlIs.r " a.iI""Elrul. t.it AZ --Ally
t,.T.u ~ aln ,ni"tasatI " tI---g i-en
H., r.s Fan ls.r' t,,'u,.a- .I-.. ; lie results
81. - =. a.. III! =: i.e;e were no muni-
20. g1Is:c nett a: all.
T2e people of this city cannot stand a
! combined State and city tax of more than
one and a half per cent, and that calculat-
ed "a an assessment of about one half the
present amount. The city admins
: tration probably think that it is their
-, place to run the machine at full pressure Nc
matter what it may cost, but they ought &c
q know, and ought to be made to know, thai
they are elected by the people of this city
e and not by its creditors or contractors
d They are to consult the true interests Of
: the people and not ruin them. If they
cannot do better than assess property al
~ fully double its value and levy q tax OF
II p per cent or even one per cent they ought
to resign. That would be much better
N for the citizens, and would relieve them.
is selves from participation in acts of fragrant
n wrong and oppression.
Rev. Father DufTo, S. }.