New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-06-15
Something Of Interest About Taxes,

| Ihe following correspondence will be
found of interest to the public:
! New ORLEANS, June II, 1875.
Hon. Charles Clinton. State Auditor:
| DEAR SIR-The people in my section of
the State-especlally in my senatorial dis
trict, composed of the parishes of Claiborne.
Bossier Bienville and Webster-pay their
| taxes as punctually and thoroughly as their
ability will allow, and in their behalf wish
to know from you officially how much
| "grace" they may have in this connection,
| and to what degree and measure they shall
! be forced to make payments as the current
year passes along.
! There is scarcely man in nv senatorial
district, who is or may be able to pay at all.
that will not finally pay his taxes in time
for final settlement without any coercive or
legal process, but the great trouble is that
| at present they have not the money, and
have no way Of getting it until the gro wing
cotton crop comes in. which will be early in
| the fall.
In the meantime. che collectors under.
stand it to be their duty, under your gen
| eral Instructions, to enforce collections
| somewhat, or at least to 90 ahead and serve
legal notice, so as to have matters in such
condition as will enable them to enforce
under tho law final payment at the last
hour But even to this the people generally
object, as eubiecting them to little un-
necessary expense.
But how can this be avoided with safety
on the part Of the collectorsl
And how can back taxes be collected OF
land which has already been forfeited to
the State! Is this land to be upassessed
against the lndividual-the former owner
who may be still residing upon and cul-
tivating it! And can sucn land in any case
be re- advertised and offered for public sale:
An official answer from you on these
matters is much desired, and may afford
much individual relief, and be Of much
public utility: Respectfully,
w. JASPER BLACKBURN.
STATE OF LOUISIANA; ;
Auditors Office,
New Or.eans June IL. 1875.
Hon. ". Jasper Blackburn.
DEAR SIR-Referring to your favor Of the
eleventh instant, wherein you say 1.-The
people in my section of the State, especially
in my senatorial district. pay their taxes
as punctuallv and thoroughly as their
ability will allow" and wherein you inquire
as to how much grace they may have in
aware that among the taxpayers in the
rural parishes there is a class who can not
pay their taxes in the early part of the
year without great injury and sacrifice, and
tax collectors have from time to time been
epjoined to exercise the utmost care and
discretion, SO as to protect the interests of
the state without unnecessarily intiictiug
hardship upon taxpayers.
This Office can not of course assume anv
discretionary authority IN extending the
time for payment Of taxes as fixed by law.
and collectors can not without being de !
relict. fail TO perform all the formali.es !
and prerequisites to the payment Of taxes |
by prescribed publication of notices, etc.
but then having complied with all these
provisions they can use their own good |
Judgment and discI elton in granting short
extension to such OF the taxpayers who
may temporarily be unable to come up and
settle. the object in view being TO save ex- !
penses and trouble, If such can be done
with the interest of the State
and the duties Of tax collectors.
As to your inquiry relative to the collec-
ton of taxes on lands, which have been
sold and adjudicated to the State: the
OF such property by the State |
lenders the same exempt from taxation.
but If these lands are occupied by parties.
t is but proper that rents should be col
ected. The collector may properly act as /
lgent Of the State, and make return for all
ents so received as collections from rents
4 property belonging to the State, tor
which the proper commission will be al
owed him.
The above. think, fully covers the poin:
{ issue; il. however. you have occasion to
equire additional information, please ad-
ress me and shall cheerfully accord the
anne. Respectfully yours,
CHARLES CLINTON, Auditor.