New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-05-09
NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY, MAY 9, 1875.
The Veto Messnge and the Act to Relieve
Taxpayers.


The Governor yesterday signed the extra
session act No. 7, entitled an "act TO relieve
the delinquent taxpayers from the pay
ment OF penalties III certain cases." and
also addressed message to the Speaker of
the House notifying him and informing
other members of the Legislature of the
executive veto Of the Senate bill known as
No. Il. The bill approved will certainly
afford relief, though it is open to objections.
Like many good thirgs, it is blessing
liable to abuse. Il is designed expressly to
benefit taxpayers who have suffered from
overflow on the property taxed. Doing
this, and only this, according to o special
proviso in the bill, it must meet
the approval OF ali; and as the best present
relief offered the Governor did well to sign
it. 1t is not d bill TO remit taxes, but to
remit penalties acccuing against taxpayers
in the certain cases provided for, condi-
toned that such taxes be paid before the
first OF December. When it ie decided that
only such taxpayers as have suffered
directly from OvertiOwed lands are entitled
to leuiency under the bill, there will be
little objection to be urged against it.
Against the bill returned without signature
there were many objections; these are
explained at length in the veto message, in
an argument convincing enough to show
that the bill should not become law. The
Governors mesa ge is as follows:
STATE OF LOUISIANA
Executive Department. }
New Orleans, May g. 1875.
To the Honorable Speaker aud Members of the
house OF Repre- e6entatives Of the State of Louis-
l return herewith House bill entitled IAN
act to relieve taxpayers, to reduce the out
standing indebtedness OF the State, and to
provide for the remission Of the interest
and penalties on certain unpaid taxes under
certain conditions, and providing for the
redemption Of property sold for taxes and
forfeited to the State of louisiana"
lean not approve this bill for many rea-
sons. Section one of this act would make
all valid warrants, scrip and bonds of the
State, regardless of the year in which they
were issued or the fund upon which they
are drawn, receivable in payment of all
taxes due the Stats and collectiole prior to
1873. This is in violation Of the principle
underlying the present financial policy of
the government, that the revenues OF each
year are pledge for the payment of the
current expense Of that year. The tax due
ers of warrants on that fund. The creditor
has vested rights, ond the State can not in
good faith divert these funds. This priu-
clpie applies not only to the school, levee
and back interest 1urds, but also to the
revenues CT the charitable institutions and
the salaries Of the constitutional officers of
the State l can not consistently give my
sanction to measure which would be an
act OF bad faith to our creditors and an in-
justice to a majority of the taxpayers of the
State.
Aside from the reasons stated above.
which refer solely to the manner in which /!
the bill Is drawn, l further disapprove of !
the spirit of the measure in this, that it !
gives to the delinquent taxpayer or tax !
resister an Unfair advantage over the |
honest taxpayer who bears the burden of !
the support OF the government. An annual |
bill Tor the relief OF delinquent TAXPAYERS, |
IN some form or other, is looked for by q /
class of citizens as q certainty, and this |
mistaken policy has in great measure |
caused the present large delin quent list. |
property holders feeling, as is must natural
and proper. that they should not pay their
dues IN cash on demand, while their neigh
bors are permitted, by becoming delin
1uent. to pay at 81 reduction of fifty to
seventy per cent. This policy is as unwise
as it is unfair, and should lie discouraged
by all good citizens. Ii the payment of
taxes were made equal and uniform
throughout the State, the rate could be re-
1uced nearly one halt, and the credit of the
State would be prOportionately improved.
or the outstanding obligation of the \
State, $5,2l9,9l2 20, chiefly ante belluna
ponds, have been funded up t. date, and
We have now in the treasury $460,52 IA to
he credit Of the interest upon the new con-
bonds. This is an encouraging
'xhibit for eur creditors provided we keep
rood faith with them. 1t is impossible,
lowever, for the State to maintain its credit
md meet it's obligations at maturity except
" requiring It's revenues to be paid in cur
ency.
l have this day signed, with some hesita
ION, the Senate bill, entitled IAN act to re-
leve the delinquent taxpayers from the
ayment OF penalties in certain cases." This
iii is subject to some of the same objec-
ions which have induced me to disapprove | ,
f the House bill, but is not open to the |
rlnclpal OBJECTION, VIZ: The partial remis-
ION OF the tax itself by permitting its pay
lent IN deprecated paper. Appre ciatiDg |
he tact that there are peculiar reasons why !
Dme are delinquent at this time, approve
hls bill remittlng penalties in certain cases,
rusting that each delinquent taxpayer will
ow cheertully and promptly come forward
nd share his portion Of the public burden. +
1t is grave question, considering the
tie and wording OF this BILL whether
.ir construction viii not contine its pro- t
lsons to the ovelt1,wed districts; but de- c
ring to give all the relief possible, 1 will ,
lstruct tue proper officers to give the most
peral Interpretation to the bet, and to re
eve pay ment of delinquent taxes through
ut tie State, without penalties. until the
ourts shall direct otherwise.
The Gene raj Assembly not being in ses-
on, deposit this message at this time in 7
e office of the Secretary Of State, for the
formation of the officers of the State and
10 general public.
WILLIAM P. KELLOGG,
Gnyernnr .