New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-17


euisms and sectiopal jealousies and dis
orders. Though second to no State il
natural advantages of climate, soil ant
products, it has fallen far behind other lee,
favored States in the development of IT.
resources aud in the cultivation OF tina,
homogeneity Of feeling aud interest with
out which no community can be perma
nently prosperous. The causes of this lack
| of progress and unity in the past have been
| as varied as the ills that have resulted. Some
are beyond the pale of legislation. They can
| only be remedied by the action of time in
removing present prejudices and eraslng
| the memory of past traditions. Others are
the result of the peculiar character of the
population of the State aud the prevailing
diversities of race, religion and lang
Others again-and these by 70 me ans the
least considerable-have sprung from i'm l.
provident and oppressive legislation and
the disposition which nearly sill the Legis-
latures Of late years, including that of
lS65-67, have manifested to subordinate the
material interests Of the State to the en-
forcement of partisan purposes and the
pecuniary ACKNOWLEDGMENT of individuals.
1t would serve no good purpose to review
In detail the events of our recent history.
The unfortunate past, with whatever mis-
takes and wrongs may have been committed
on either side. is before you; the consequences
OF those mistakes and wrongs, more elo-
quent than any language I could use, are
also before you. 1t is your privilege to
correct and remedy, Or at least alleviate
them; and more important still, to offer
guarantees that such events shall not again
occur. After political contest, the length
and bitterness Of which have been I'M
paralleled, policy has at last been adopted
which think should have been tried at
first, and which l trust will afford
an immediate and satisfactory solution of
the difficulties that have beset US for years
and entailed misfortune and distress upon
the people.
1t is q most hopeful eign. in my
opinion, When, as now, citizens OF all
political parties seem inclined to take the
of their affairs into their own
hands. and sinking personal and party aims,
unite to advance the general good.
One of the principal obj ects of the pres
emit session is to give effect to an ad iustment |
Of past political differences. The theory of |
this adjustment, as understand it, is that
it is free and voluntary concession by |
each party for the sake of peace and the |
common interest. This extraordinary |
session has been called chiefly to
ratify and confirm, in the most solemn and |
formal manner, this mutual concession
and at the same time 1t presents on
opportunity to restore peace, order and CON
idence. We know how great blessings these
;hings are. for we have been so long de.
,rived of them.
The other subjects which are specified in
he call for this extra session are among
hose which 1 have persistently urged upon
he attention of the Legislatures of this
tate in every message l have had the
lonor to address to them. Now that q
'etter understanding has been arrived at,
confidently trust that more successful
fort will be made to give practical effect
D these much needed reforms. For my
art l pledge my hearty cooperation and
rompt action upon every we'll considered
,easure of financial reform
TAXATION AND THE PUBLIC REVENUE.
With regard to the revenues of the State
nd the mode of collecting and discussing
ne same, which forms one of the chief sub
'cts for your consideration, reiterate the
q .a6 in fock u l
nd in other communications preceding,
amely: That the system of assessing and
taxes now in operation is cum
rous, expensive and mi ust, and should be
ideally changed. The fees of tax collect
Is should be reduced, and assessors should
8 paid by fixed salaries In lieu Of fees. An ,
It passed during the recent regular session
fects this latter change as far as the city -,
concerned A similar plan should be
Itended into the country districts. Taxa
on under the present system is very une.
lal. Much valuable property belonging
wealthy corporations is exempted from
'xation by general or special legislation,
ough used for ordinary business purposes
i'd yielding large revenues, while adioin-
e properties, forming possibly the sole r
lpport Of widows and orphans. are as. :
ssed up to their full value. AS l have
i'd before, it is matter for grave consid- +
alton whether general repeal of all r
'emptions of private and corporate prop
ty from State and city taxation would y
It be an act of justice to the many, involv. a
n aro,;u lr,
Another and still greater source of injus- y
Q lies in the delinquent tax list. This f.
ate affords no exception to the too gen. n
al rule that the rich evade taxes and the N
or pay them. The delinquent taxes of :;
me of the wealthiest parishes in this State n
'ounted last year to nearly or quite eighty s.
r cent of the entire tax levied. For in h,
ance. the delinquent lists in the q,
'althy parish of Caddo amounted u,
It year to over $4,000. or eighty three f.
cent of the entire tax, while in St. 10
mes. st. Charles, st. John the Baptist or
q other parishes where the people are 1T
aceful, industrious, but comparatively at
IT. the delinquent lists do not amount to y,
per cent of tie tax levied The extent =,
the injustice thus done to law abiding, A.
paying citizens by tax resisters and tax 10
Iders is apparent On the first Of Janu- ~
last there were outstanding delinquent on
es to the extent of &, 600. The col
ions on this account since that time 49,,
Dunt to about $50, 600, leaving still over
loo, 900 of delinquent taxes due the State.
the most moderate estimate, the delin. -,
mt taxes represent more than three