New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-07-10
The Financial Condition Of the State.

The Financial Condition Of the STATE.
Auditor Clinton has written the following
letter in answer to interrogstions propound-
ed to him by the executive committee Of
he Property Holders Union:
STATE OF LOUISIANA, }
Auditors Office,
New Orleans, July 8, 1875.
DE-. c. H. Tebault, Chairman of Committee from
the central hvecurIve Committee Of the Prop.
erty Holders Union:
DEAR SIR-Pressure of important duties
prevented an earlier reply to your favor of
the twenty-eighth of June, which l regret
the more as the information sought is OF
interest to your committee and the public.
Qnestion No. II am not able to answer
in 1ull at this time. However, should your
committee deem it of importance, and SO
inform me, l shall take pleasure in prepar.
ing this information and any other facts
connected with this office you may desire.
Before commencing to answer your aues-
tions beg You will indulge me in few re-
marks OF somewhat general nature rela-
tive to your inquiries.
You have very oppOrtnnely undertaken
TO organize movement by which prop
erty can be relieved Of an over.
burdened rate of taxation. have
worked almost singlehanded for the
same purpose since occupying this office,
you at any and all times in thi. good un-
dertaking. The true idea of the duty of a
g'od citizen, in or out Of office, is to expect
his benefits. and work for them, by foster
ing prosperity in the whole community,
More than one-halt of the present debt of
the State, and nearly half Of the collected
revenues for the years 1869, 1870, 1871 and
1872 were wasted by reason OF not regard
ing this duty.
The interest tax now filed by law is five
and a half mills. The school two mills
cannot be well reduced; the levee tax of
three mills is fixed by law, and unless the
levees are taken charge Of by the United
States. cannot be lowered the one half mill
State House tax il irrepealable for the next
two years, making total of eleven mills,
and leaving only TO be considered the gen.
eral fund tax of three and a half mille
This can be fixed at two mills, which, TO-
gether with the licenses collected, would
produce sufficient general fund revenue
to properly administer the State govern
ment IN the hands of any economical
administration. To consummate this re-
duction of one and half mills on the
general fund tax it wonld require the modi-
fcation or changing of many laws now on
the statutes, principally concerning salaries
OF officers, fees, commissions, etc, paid to
officials l would suggest as something
committee during the interval before the
meeting OF the next Legislature will prepare
acts in all the cases needed and urge their
passage. Should you decide upon this
course and afford me opportunity, will be |
glad to point you to the acts necessary to
he repealed, modified or changed.
The back taxes due the State are now
very much reduced (some parishes having
delinquent lists of less than $l00), and it is
hoped will be quite paid up before next
November. In such case it will save all |
penalties to the taxpayer. and enable the |
State to liquidate her few outstanding war
rants, whlch she is now unable to otherwise |
provide FOR. Under the provisions of the |
amendments no warrants can |
De lssued unless there be funds in the treas
lry to meet the same as drawn; this is a
'e1orm measure long needed.
Following will BE- found answers to your
l. The present dent Of the State, bonded |
Ind funded, amounts to $2l ,Oo9. 100.
=. The value of the real estate of this
'ity, as assessed hy the State OF rolls of
S74. is $l35. 5.o50,7S5.
3. The presen, rate of State taxation is
ourteen and half mills.
4. The present expenses of the State in |
uli, !. Q. for all purposes, are as follows:
or support Of government; ;;...."....".Sl ~ 600
4
or interest Oh consolid .ted debt ...... 1850 900
or expenses OF building leV6eS.......... go 900 |
Total. 81 2aa 900
>. The amount Of back taxes now due the
tate, !. 9. on property OF value, excluding
wamp lands, and taxes due prior to 1865, |
onsidered collectable. is estimated at
$4,000.
g. Answered in genera! remarks fore.
DING.
7. My circular to tax collectors regarding
pro rata of current taxes" is to be un-
erstood as requiring them to enforce col
.ctlOn on one quarter of the amount of
heir tax-roll every three months, or one
welfth every month. Act AZ OF 1873
an act to force unwilling tax
ayers to pay their taxes, or surrender their
rOperty under seizure and sale by the tax
Ollector, without the tedious and expensive
recess of trial by suit.
8. All penalties are remitted on back
axes until November |. 1875.
9. Property holders in the city can pay |
q one piece of property one month and on
ther pieces upon following months, and 80
throughout the year. 1t is not practi-
able, however, to divide the tax bill and |
'celve partial payments on any one piece
property.
10. Instructions have been issued to tax |
'iiectors to vigorously push the payment Of
taxes. and as the penalties on |
lch taxes remain yet remitted, it is ex-
octed that severe measures will not be 4
IL. This question is fully answered in re.
y to your ninth interrogatory.
II. Up to the date of writing the State,
rough the agency Of her collectors, has
lrchased ninety pieces of property, situ-
ed IN the city, six of which. have since
zen disposed of by sale. under the pro-
siOns of act No. los Of 1874.
Very respectfully, L.
CHARLES CLINTON, |.