The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-01-20
sHERIDAS,S AST DISPATCH.
Editor Bulletin:

Editor Bulletin:
Sheridan's dispatch of the 18th of January
to Belknsp, based upon information received
from that prince Of vilifers, Merrill, so far
as it relates to suffering among the negroes,
although greatly exaggerated, is no doubt in
the main true.
That this suffering has been caused by any
intentional acts or combination among the
white people, for political or other purposes,
is VIGOROUSLY and absurdly false. The cause
is obvious and lies upon the surface. Mis-
government, and oppression by excessive tax
alton, are producing their inevitable conse-
quences The fundamental principles of
political economy have been for years grossly
and persistently outraged in this State, and
the consequences are such that any person
OF reflection could have foreseen.
Adam Smith in book 5th says, speaking Of
excessive taxation: "And when in order to
raise those taxes, all or the greater part of
merchants and manufacturers that is, all or
the greater part of the employers of great
capitals, come to be continually exposed to
the Notifying visits of the tax-gatherers, the
disposition to remove will be soon changed
into an actual removing. The industry Of the
country will necessarily fall with the removal
Of capital which supported it, and the ruin OF
trade and the manufacturers will be followed
by the declension Of agriculture" The above,
spired, and to have special reference to Lou
isiana, so applicable is it to our present
condition.
Two years ago, through the editorial col
umns of the Picdyune, l wrote as follows,
basing my views upon the establi she'd princi-
pies of political economy, science of which
Nautilus says: "That its conclusions partake
moro of the certainty of the stricter Sciences
than those Of most other branches Of human
knowledge"
Taxation, though not levied directly upon
the working classes, falls eventually with
crushing effect upon them. A diminution of
wages and the INCONSISTENCY of employment
deprive them Of even Q suf6ciency of the
bare necessaries of life, as they have no &C.
cumulated property to supply their wants
whilst changing their residence to happier
localities, or to enable them to live comfort
ably until better condition of things super
yenes.
"While capitalists, in Withdrawing their
means from an overtaxed community, al
though sustaining losses, yet rarely, or per-
haps never suffer the extreme privations of
poverty. Another conclusion of great i'm
portance is arrived at, the prosperity Of the
labOring classes can only be attained by rem
dering capital secure. As excessive taxation
is almost the exclusive cause of the insecurity
Of property, it follows, that although taxes
g4re not paid directly by the poor, yet they are
the class that are most grievously affected
by taxation. As the rate of wages is deter
mined by the increase of capital in relation to
the increase of population, all that is calcu-
kated to diminish capital must also diminish
wages. Hence, the obvious interest Of all, Of
every class and condition of life, is the re-
.iuction Of taxes as the only means Of restor-
fing our prosperity, or enabling US to live at
all"
These observations made some years ago
are now verified. Last year the average
wages of the agricultural laborer were re-
duced nearly SO per cent. This year, from
the operation Of same causes, q good many
have been, and more will be thrown out Of
employment, and from the improvident char
acter Of the negro, great suffering must neces-
many districts ceasing to be cultivated. The
insecurity of investments, caused by the
knowledge that those who govern the State
are not identified with its interests,
and have used their power for years
for no other purpose but spoliation, prevent
capitalists from advancing to planters, who
are thus compelled either to abandon their
plantations or to cultivate other crops re-
-quiring less capital and consequently fewer
! hands, Hence the suffering among the
laboring classes is the inevitable result Of
Radical domination in Louisiana, as it, has
exercised its powers for robbery alone.
Let the rightful government of Louisiana
be restored; confidence will be restored with
it; capital will seek Investments planters will
resume cultivation; laborers will be en-
ployed, aud suffering will cease. But, on
the contrary, if the present spurious govern
ment continues, no man can measure the
amount Of suffering in store for this op-
pressed people.
ARCHIBALD MITCHELL.