New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-14
OyRRFLOwEO INTkREers.
The Sufferer. in Cenvestiss.

The Sufferer In Convention.
A few weeks ago nearly all the residents
Of such sections of our State - have been
overflowed determined to hold convention
to press their interests, particularly to peti-
ton the Legislature to pass law to relieve
them from the payment Of back taxes.
Meetings were held, and delegates elected
to attend q con vention in that interest to
meet in this city. As q result of such de-
liberation, the following named gentlemen
met yesterday in the st. Charles Hotel:
T.J. Foster. B. A. Raymond and Edward
Hickey, from St. Mary.
Tobias Gibson, Terrebonne. A
w. Won Phul and e. NJ Lefebre, West
Baton Rouge.
f. Bourgeois, st. James.
J. A. Dardenne, Iberviile.
G. Bartoa, Assumption.
T. n. Scott and ]. X. Breaux, Pointe
Coupee.
E. L. Weber, West Felicians.
w. F. Ogden, f. s. Shields and William
B. Spencer, Concordia.
Mr. Foster was chosen, president and Mr..
Barton, secretary.
Mr.. Poster announced that several gen.
tlemen had failed to arrive, az their busi-
ness prevented them leaving home, al
though they would have been glad to come;
but their urgent necessities prevented them
leaving their homes.
Mr.. Gibson said that measures should be
oHD toA e. nfo, oov,1o ho II
suffered 40 severely by overflow. He ex-
pressed his belief that the Legislature, if Pc
titioEed, would remit the demand tor back
taxes. The speaker read an act which he
pro posed to have offered 1t the extra ses-
sion.
TIE fact was made known that in nearly
all the overflowed sections more than one-
half of the lsnds~as advertised for sale on
account Of back taxes.
Mr.. Dardeane did not quite agree with
the act 81. presented, as it asked for more
an he hought would be granted; by asking
too much petitioners would get nothing.
Mr.. T. Tupper mentioned that at lesst
three committees were already in existence
to,consider this subject. and he proposed
that there might be . consultation, which
would benefit all concerned; he also pro-
posed to have q committee appointed to
oeafer with the other committees.
Mr.. Breaux stated that the Legislature,
be thought, would willingly adopt any
reasonable measure to relieve the wants of
those who we're 80 nearly ruined by the
overflow. He would. as State Senator.
do all he could to have such an act passed
Mr.. Gibson said that his property had
been advertised when it had four feet of
water ON it. He thought he should not be
called on to pay taxes, . large portion of
which would go to the levee board that had
failed to keep the ievees in repair. Besides,
the foods had deprecated the valae of
every plantation. The State should now so
trea its unfortunate citizens as to encour.
age them to produce all they can to make
. revenue. In many instances, the speaker
the people were or had been in an
almost starving condition; they had not
been able to procure actual necessities, let
alone paying taxes. He felt sure there were
Dnough good men in the Legislature to vote
jOr the needed relief.
Mr.. Dardenne stated that he had been
,verfowed seven different times, and was .
it subject for relief from taxes.
Mr. Scott pr, posed that committee be
appointed to confer with other bodies that
Intended to take action in the interests of |
he overflowed.
Mr.. Gibson opposed the proposition,
linking it best for the convention to re.
nain a. it tis-representatives of the actual |
uferers.
Mr.. Breaux asked that the resolutions Of |
cred by Mr.. Gibson be adopted, which
notion was carried.
The proposed act is as follows:
N cot for the relief of planters and other
lsndhOlders whose crops, live stock and
Overfowed, by the crevasses of the year
1874; and to provide the manner for OBJ
tanning the exemption from taxation of |
tho same.
WHEREAS, Many of the people, residing
l the over flowed district of this State have
Uttered gre at loss of property, and are now
condition of great distress, caused by
he crevaeses md attending Overhows of
,e year 1874; aud
Whereas, BY the destruction of the crops, |
We stock and other property upon said
lands. the people are utterly |
nable, without sacrificing their. remaining |
to pay the State and parish taxes
WED upon said lands and other property, |
+ the years 1873 and 1874; therefore,
SECTION |. Be it enacted by the Senate
Id House Of Representatives Of the State
Louisiana in General Assembly con-
aned, That all the State and parish taxes
Id penalties levied for the years 1873 and
"a. dne and cOllectible in the years 1874 |
Id 1875, be and the same are hereby re-
tilted ard abolished on the property of all
anters and other land owners in this State
hose lands were overfowed and crops :
'stroyed by the crevasses of 1874.
SEC 2. Be it further enacted, etc, That
Q president of the police jury, the clerk 9
the court and the recorder Of each parish !
the OveaAuwed districts of this State 9
all be and are hereby constituted board
commissioners, to which every planter or
her party in interest who may wish to I
all himself of the privileges of this Y
{, shall make application for certificate
exemption from the payment Of taxes for =
Q years herein mentioned. That it shall
the duty Of the said board of commits. q
'ners to require the affidavit of all sppli Y
nts for exemption under this act, and to :,
ke such other testimony a. may be u
emed necessary to establish the correct
50 Of the allegations Of the applicant; and =.
being satisfied that he is justly entitled :!
the privileges of exemption herein men. | <
al ieeue to him . certificate of exemption,
lich on exhibiting to the tax collector, he +;
III omit the collection Of all taxes, State :,
4 varish fho voara horein anecifie1 | 81