New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-16

srss-lszaazzzas-----.--.r-z -.
ing properties, forn.iDg possibly the sole
support of widows and orphans, are -
sessed mp to their fall value. Az ! have
said before, it ia . matter for grave consid
Grafton whether o general repeal Of III
exemptions of private ard corporate prop
srty from State and city taxation would
net BE- IN act of Justice TO tho many, involv
ing comparatively limited hardsh;ps to the
few.
Another and still greater source of ipjns
tice files IN the delinquent tax list This
State affords no exception to the too gen
eral rule that the rich evade taxes and the
poor pay them. The DELINQUENT taxes OF
some of the wealthiest parishes in this State
amounted last year to nearly or quitf eighty
per cent of the entire tax levied. For in
stance. the delinquent lists in the
wealthy parish of Caddo amounted
last year to over sec, 900, or eighty three
per cent Of the entire tax, while in St.
James, st. Charles, st. John the Baptist
and ether parishes where the people are
peaceful, Industrious, but comparatively
poor, the delinquent lists do not amount to
ten per cent Of the tax levied. The extent
of the injustice thus done to law abiding,
taxpaying citizens by tex resisters and tax
ovaders is apparent. On the first Of Janu-
ary last there were outstanding delinquent
taxes to the extent Of e4,264, 900. The col
ections on this account since that time
amount to about $l5o, 900, leaving still over
S410G0o0 CT delinquent taxes due the State.
At the most moderate estimate, the delin
quent taxes represent moro than three
and Q half of the fourteen and q half
mile of tho present rate of State tax
stion. If the people generally complied
with their duty a. good citizens by paying
their taxes promptly, the rate of taxation,
even upon the present assessment, might be
reduced one fourth.
While have NO desire to see those unable
to pay their taxes oppressed, l recommend
that measures be taken to secure the more
efficient collection of delinquent and cur
rent taxes from those able to pay. At the
same time there are some provisions of the
existing revenue laws which arc unusual
and I think unconstitutional, and which
should be repealed; as for instance that
portion of act No. n of 1873, which pro-
hibits delinquent taxpayers from being
with esses in their own behalf. l also sug.
gest that steps be taken to relieve from
present taxation those persons living in the
recently overlooked districts, who may from
that cause be found unable to comply with
the demands of the law. A fair computar
ton will show, think. that with proper
needed measures of reform such az have
ind icated, the whole rate Of State and parish
taxation after the present year need not
exceed the amount now levied for State
purposes alone, namely, fourteen and half |
mills With the constitutional amendment |
strictly enforced which provides that the |
expen ditures for general purposes shall be |
general fund tax, with State and parish |
taxation reduced as indicated, with assess
ments equalized throughout the State, and |
with the enhanced value of property which /
must result, it seems reasonable to expect |
hat hereafter the burden Of taxation will
10 one which the people can easily and
,heerfully bear. Under such a course of
financial management the warrants of the
,tate should quickly reach par, or nearly
%. This would e'itl further reduce the
expenses of the government, az the State has
zen bliged, in conse quence of the depre-
iation of its paper, to make much larger
for its charitable institu-
ions and its other benefcia,ies than would
70 necessary were the State able to pay ivs
in cash. The salaries of |
tate officers might then be Justly re-
ueed. II paid in money it is believe |
hese officers would be contented and
etter re munerated by salaries more nearly
ppr0achipg the rates Of compensation
hid in Northern States for similar ser |
ices than if paid a. now in war
'nts of fuctuating and deprecated
llue. In view of this, the salaries of 4
fcers where fixed BY law should be ap. Z
opriately diminished, and, where they 4
Q fixed by the constitution, at the next /
gular session an amt ndment should be | L
reducing the salaries of State | n
Rcers to rate more in accordance with | O
Q policy Of strict economy which must +
reafter be pursued. II
AMENDMEETs. o
The future Of the State when once these d
'asures are secured, and harmony and o.
ace are restored, seems to me bright with ~
,mIse. Every day makes more clearly y
nitest the beneficial influence which the ~
amendments, adopted at the ~
ent election, are certain to exert upon :.
financial condition Of the State. By %
SO enactments neither State nor parish
ever levy more than fourteen and hall ~
lie tax in any one year, except for school -
poses, and no Legislature, however ex- =
VACANT or corrupt, oan expend more .''
n the amount which the tax thus limited %
yield. Tie revenues of each year are
'0ted to the expenditures of that year,
all appropriations in excess Of revenue -,
absolutely null and void. The importance
hie provision can not be Overstated. In
}, 1866 and 1867 the excess of expendi.
10 over revenues was very great. In
and 1870 tho total receipts Oh
cunt Of tho general fund were IN
39 500; the total expenditures were pa
7S,5l5, leaving Q floating debt Of 81 $685.. "e
to Do taken up out of the revenues Of a.
seeding yesrs or to be added to the me
aed debt Of the State. In 1871 and 1872 Del
last two vear. of INV nraa.o.... 49, of