The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-06-20
THE PROPERTY-HOLDERS
COUNCIL.

There was q meeting Of the Central Council
last evening over the saloon Of Johnny Hawkins
Archibald Mitchell in the chair, and many i'm
portant questions were brought before it.
letter from Mayor Leeds was received. 1t
set forth that after consideration of the COM
munication presented by the Property-Holders
Union he had in response to say that he recog-
nized fully the great distress Of the community
and the necessity of immediate relief to over
burdened Taxpayers.
The present condition of the laws have in &
measure deprived the people of free action and
increased the difficulties of the situation. In
regard to the suspension Of tax suits until fall.
he says the postponement Of these suits would
practically place it out of the power of the
Council to maintain the city government, and the
suspension Of collections would follow. Under
the law tho city government create debts, and
must necessarily circumscribe it's functions as ts
revenues decrease.
| A failure to collect taxes impairs the city'g
obligations and will suspend the Fire Depart
ment, will compel the dispensation Of ublic
lighti, and imposes on the community the sus-
| tenance Of widows and orphans and insane per-
sons. II tho government should stop, would the
Administrators be relieved? Further proceed
ings will be suspended in cases OF the poorer
tax payers Xhere the costs exceed the tax itself.
| a. the Administrators have no wish to Cypress.
In regard to the payment Of back taxes in scrip,
he says that it cannot be legally done. The tax
of 1874 is nearly oil trust fund which the Coun
Gil has no power to divert. About one-fourth be-
longs to the general fund and what is received
in this fund Is paid over to those who hold the
city Obligations, in the rotation OF their issue or
the number of the ordinance. Part Of the taxess
prior 10 1874 is in trust, but portion might be
paid in scrip.
An ordins nee was passed for relief continuing
in force until tho 1st OF June, to receive for
back taxes scrip to certain amount as much az
possible. This has been extended as far as pos
sible In regard to dividing tax bills to GLOW
partial payment, the Administrators reply that
It would involve 30 much confusion that they are
not prepared to say whether it is practicable or
not.
or less difficult to meet their obligations to the
CITY. MANY have made extraordinary sacrifices
by the hypothecaton or sale of their property 70
avoid annOyances 40 well as costs, and to aid the
city in surmounting her embarrassments.
Surely it does not enter Into the minds OF any
OF their suffering fellow-citizens that the whole
burden should fall upon those who perhaps is &
, little more fortunate but certainly no less de-
, serving Of consideration, have thus struggled to
, comply with the law, and who after payment in
caeh, have the modification OF seeing others at
the last hour paying the same tax at less rate
This would not be equal taxation.
Col. Hill offered resolution thanking the Adj
|
payers, and deplosing their inability to see their
way clear in extending the same grace to others
30 far az back taxes are concerned, q re-enact-
mont Of the ordinance allowing payment in
, scrip will be general benefit. In regard to the
tax Of 1875, further consideration Of the sub
ject would be OF benefit.
He thought further time ought to be granted
the Council, a. they only had one day to consid-
er il.
. Mr. D. P. Ecanlon and Mr.. Sonthmayd alsa
, took Yk IN the n hate which followed.
Col. Hills's resolution was made the sense Of
the meeting and passed.
Mr.. Highly wanted to know what remedy, othel
!, than that adopted, but none was gwen. 80.
+ Dr. iibault thought that the State authorizes
1 ought to be waited upon, az at the end OF the
! month the time for the payment OF its taxes
would expire.
|. Mr.. Highly suggested that delegates should
0 canvass their wards and bring in role OF thost
) signing. He thought they need not care Tor TN
o newspapers, as they would follow the stronges
Q side (?).
/ The meeting then adjourned.