The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-07-27
THE DRAINAGE TAX.

Il The following earnest communication from
a taxpayer, treats of matter in which our
citizens are very largely interested, and we
shall take pleasure in ascertaining the facts
in,regard to the collection of the drainage
tax. The law never contemplate an absurdity,
and it would be very CHASTITY sarcasm on law
or equity to insist on persons paying for a
benefit they have never received iA
We are of the opinion, however, that in
almost every case the proprietors of sub
merged lands or lands subject to overflow in
the rear of the city have. been made to pay
this tax. Whether this has been by reason
of apathy or non-concert Of action in oppo-
sition to the unreasonable and outrageous
imposition, we do net know, but would sug-
gest that all owners of the character of lands
referred to unite in making test case. so al
to settle the matter. This is q curious age
We live in, and citizens are made to pay for
very many things they never get We pay an
enormous sum for police protection, and yet,
until recently. every man has been COM
PEELED to guard his own house and property;
We pay for Park that is only used as pas
turage for COWS, and we pay for drainage,
while in numerous instances our property is
under water-worse than useless, for no fault
Of ours, but by reason of the negligence of
the authorities. aa.-5. -
The subject of drainage is very fully dwelt
upon in the report of Administra E. A.
Burke, published in Sundays BuLLEr1N, and
we refer our corespon dent and those inter-
ested in the matter to that very interesting
document. They will find that the city au-
thorities under the existing law have no op.
ton in the matter, but are compelled to keep
the boats of the Drainage Company at work
or pay for their doing nothing. We believe
it is pretty much the same in regard 10 the
of drainage taxes-the law making
it imperative. 1t would be good idea, it
occurs to US, for parties owning lands subject
to overflow in the limits of the city to meet
and take some steps to peotect themselves
from spoliation. We can readily fancy the
feelings of man asked to pay drainage tax
when a view of his property discloses lake
instead Of dry land.
New ORLEANS, July 26, 1875.
Editor of the Bulletin
am sure you would eblige many property
holders by explaining, in a concise m amer,
the nature Of the present drainage tax, invi-
tations to pay which We notice in the adver-
tisments of party by the name of Guthrie.
How long are we expected to pay drainage
taxes in addition to the general city taxation
on centrally located property already drained?
Are we expected to pay drainage taxes on
which is not drained, as is notorious
ly the case with lower Canal street lots, which
twice in five years have been three feet under
water? Is this law? If SO, it is atrocious.
. own property on Canal street, which is
flooded by every rain-storm. Why should I
pay taxes on this until something is done for
me?
Tell us, if you can, we beg, to whom does
this drainage money 60, and how it has been
earned.
Tell u.s. is this drainage going on now, and
is this money called for to perpetuate and
perfect it, or has the drainage stopped, ex-
,epting SO far as concerns our pockets?
Will it ever be day? '*s