New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-06-22

some taxes have been heretofore paid vol
UNFAIRLY. Enforced collection of taxes
though required by law, is an ''innova
ton" which custom does not warrant.
Such enforcement could not be bu
extremely embarrassing to the taxpayers
They would be compelled to sell thei
property to pay the taxes, or see it "wipet
| from their possession" by the civil sheriff
We can not agree that the enforcement
of taxes will constitute 'sthe sweeping
away in one hour of the hard earned
savings Of lifetime as averred by the
same resolutions. The sale of property
for taxes is the consummation of term
more or less long. Of non-payment. Such
a remark might be predicated of the
burning Of steamboat or house unin-
sured, but not Of property sold for de.
ferred and delinquent obligations. Nor
can we assent to the axiom Of political
economy that the payment of taxes in
scrip Twill be general benefit because
the money thus saved will remain with the
taxpayer" 1t is plain that if the assessed
taxes be not paid in full, the deficiency
must be reassessed upon the industry or
property Of the whole people. If Messrs.
| A, B, c. etc. shall have paid in green
backs, and Messrs. \. Y. Z shall have
liquidated at fifty cents on the dollar,
these early birds OF the alphabet
would have an equity against the
latter pay saints. If Messrs. the lawyers,
doctors. shoemakers. shop keepers. black
smiths. merchants. carpenters and dem
lists should be obliged TO make good the
indulgence shown to the preferred tax
debtor by an additional assessment upon
their labor there would be a genuine out
cry against the Council. So we are COM
PEELED to dispute the general benefit" of
a special exemption. There follows an
other theory which is, we fear. equally
fallacious. It is that that this discount
on city scrip .'received by the large tax
payers in commerce or trade will keep the
business Of the community alive by cir
culation." It will be supposed by the
earlier members of the alphabet that if
they had the money back which they have
paid in excess of these scr;ptural and pre-
ferred gentlemen. or if they were per-
mitted to retain the sum which they
must ante up to make good this pre-
MUM on delinquency. that they might
secure such money" i'll commerce
or trade as well for themselves as Messrs.
Y, Y. 4 could do it for them. There is
radical financial error in the phrase. "a cir
culation which is lost SO soon as it is con-
sumed in taxation" We scarcely think this !
axiom would receive the sanction OF Adam (!
Smith. Say. Tracy ,Destutt, or Stuart /!
Mil. How could this discount for scrip, !
if paid by Messrs. Y, y. z, be considered |
as withdrawn from circulation Or lost. or !
consumed by taxation If these last
ditchers should pay as their predecessors
have done. their money would neither be |
lost nor consumed. 1t would pass into the
treasury and be assigned to each of the
several funds recognized by law. 1t would
be paid out in the salaries Of Administrators
and clerks, to contractors for plank and
shells. to laborers on the streets, to war.
rant and bondholders. Now, we think
if the property holders would for
! moment take Off their very blue
goggles through which they seem
to regard this whole subject. They
would see that their tax money will be
neither 'iost'' nor consumed by process
IF payment. Observe that contractor
with his load of warrants. He receives
heir face. and Immediately turns around
% the numerous friends who attend him
md distribute them. and so the represent
ative widow and orphans make instanta-
leous distribution among landlords, gro-
'ers. doctors, mechanics and clergyman.
Everybody from a preacher to play
Ictor gets some of that money. Bless
our lugubrious souls. that money that
'ou pay is no more lost than the
ain which falls upon thirsty corn or
ane field. 1t is absorbed by thousand
pongioles of need and industry. Pay up,
,entlemen; do not indulge the decisions
hat you can apply to the use of the pub.
ic the money that you owe to the public
letter than the public can itself apply its
wn money. 1t is a fallacy. Such
ophistry would not go down with the
'eecher jury. They have heard good
cal Of disinterested benevolence. but
othing like withholding money where it
) due on the plea that the debtor can use
more for the advantage of the creditor
han the creditor could possibly do.
There is nothing more to be said. The !
difference having failed. the truce may
e considered at an end. and the Com
ION Council may now move upon the
orks Of the large tax debtors. We sim
erely regret any such necessity, but see
o alternative except that which has been !
arkly intimated by the Council, that
lspension OF tax payment may ''bring to F
stop the functions Of the .city! govern
ent.' :
We will not descend to make this grave +
'lamity subject Of party triumph. or
zen Of party exculpation. The ship is F
i the rocks. She is beating to pieces,
I'd it is the duty Of all to work for her +
,trication. This we have done and will