Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-04-15
FECONsrRUCrrON OF LOUISIANA.

The compromise, it is thought, will be
successful. The Legislature which met
yesterday was the most orderly that has
assembled for years. Governor Kellogg
sent in a long and elaborate message, in
which he says: at is a most hopeful
sign, in my opinion, when, as now, citi-
e . Of all political parties seem in
clined to take the management Of their
affairs into their own hands, and sinking
personal and party aims, unite to ad-
vance the general good. With regard to
the revenue of the State, and the mode
Of collecting and disbursing them, | reit-
crate the views previously expressed,
that the system of assessing and
collecting taxes now in operation
is cumbrous, expensive and un-
Just, and should be radically changed.
The fees Of tax collectors should
be reduced, and assessors should
be paid by a fixed salary, in lieu Of fees
Another and still greater source Of in
justice lies in the delinquent tax list.
This State affords 30 exception to the
too general rule that the rich evade taxes
and the poor pay them. The delinquent
taxes of som Of the wealthiest parishes
in this State amounted last year to nearly
or quite 80 per cent. of the entire tax
levied. For instance, the delinquent lists
in the wealthy parish of Caddo amount
ed last year TO over sec 900, or SO per
cent. Of the entire tax, while in St.
james, st. Charles, John the Baptist,
and other parishes, where the people
are peaceful and industrious, but COM
paratively poor, the delinquent lists do
not amount to 10 per cent. Of the tax
levied. On the first of January last
there we're outstanding delinquent taxes
to the extent of S4.264,0OO. The col
l~ections on this account since that
time amount to about $4,000 leaving
still over 81, loo. 900 of delinquent taxes
due the State. At the most moderate
estimate the delinquent taxes represent
more than 81 Of the l41 mills Of the
present rate Of State taxation" He
recommends a number Of reformatory
measures, including a reduction Of the
salaries Of State officers, and says; "a
fair computation will show, / think, that
with proper needed measures Of reform,
such as l have indicated, the whole rate
of State and parish taxation for the
present year need notexceedt the amount
now levied for State purposes alone
namely. Ia! mills. The future Of the
State, when once these measures are Sc
cured, aud harmony and peace are re-
stored. seems to be bright with prom
Use. Every day makes more clearly
manifest the beneficial influence the
constitutional amendments adopted al
the recent election are certain to exerI
upon the financial condition of the
State. By these enactments neither
State nor parish can ever levy more thar
l44 mills tax in any one year, excepi
for school purposes, and no Legislature
however e%xtravagant or corrupt, can ex
pend more than the amount which thu
law thus limited will yield. The revenue
Of each year are devoted to the expendi
lures Of that year, and all appropriation
in Xee Of revenue are absolutely nul
and void. The Importance of this pro
vision cannot be everstated." From thiI
extract, which is fair sample, we SCI
that the spirit Of reform so strong in GU.
" State has taken practical shape il
Louisiana, and if carried out in goot
faith will set that unfortunate State OF
the road to prosperity. The prospect i
more encouraging than for many years
The telegraph announces that tn,
President has appointed Leander C
Dyer, Of Tennessee, Consul at Odessa
Russia. We have not the honor O
knowing any such gentleman in Tennes
see, unless the item refers to Mr.. L. Z
Dyer, q wellknown Republican of thi
city. This Mr.. Dyer has served tn
party faithfully in season and out Of set
son, and lie entitled to any position he !
qualified to fill within the gift Of tn
President, provided no n is ahead {
him ia the line Of promotion. He hold
a Federal appointment in Memphis,
little office which formerly supplied Be
bour Lewis with pocket money, an
which Barbour, now that he is out
employment, will doubtless want AGAR
hence it is presumable that he b.
secured this Consulship for Dyer to z,
him out Of the way.
GRANr will Se fity.three on the 27t