The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-08-09
MORNING. PRESS.

The Bee this morning has an able and prac-
tcal article on the subject Of the bitter war which
Is being waxed BY the Radical and so-callsd In
dependent papers. against the resi- estate own-
ers Of New Orleans. It says very truly that tho
taxes levied upon property are almost eQuivs-
lent to confiscation. tnasmuch a. their sum. for
the space OF eight years. IL equal to the full
value OF the taxed property. II 10 . mistake to
say that taxes have been reduced. True. the
nominal rate Of the tax Ia lower. but
property has deprecated by At least
one good half and the assessments have been
kept up to the old standard. 80 that the tsx IL
really double what it appears to be. In New
Orleans taxation is not only excessive. but ab-
surd and unjust, 1t being levied In proportion
Of four -ffths on real estate. which figures for
sss,OOOOO0 on total assessment OF el1e. 400 .ooO
This is contrary to all principles of sound poit-
lcal economy. Is 1t astonishing. under these
circumstances. that a large proportion OF the
tar should remain unpaid?
The Bee expresses its astonishment that the
Bulletin, styling itself conservative and indie
pendent, should play into the hands Of the Rad-
ical party. by joining In an absurd crusade
against property holders. and endesvorine
to arraign them against the 1aboring classes. II
quotes some articles Of that paper published on
Sunday and Tuesday and In answer says that its
assertions as regards tax resisters. are entirely
unfounded There is not round dozon OF tag
resisters to-day In the city. The taxes are not
paid because the people cannot pay them. and Il
il unjust to insult and calumniate the great mass
OF property holders. who have been ruined by
the tax. because they are now totally unable 10
nay It, And inquiries the Bee what In the objeot Of
that odious crusade against "a entire oiass oi
our population? Nothing but to favor the tax
Of ON s-fourth Of one per cent upon property IN
New Orleans for the purpose OF building rail
road from Alexandria to Marshall Thus pri-
vate corporation attacks the taxpayers through
the medism Of certain papers. with no other
object than to take from them during four years
an annual sum Of six hundred thousand dollars
to build road which win never be finished
The Bee hopes that those papers who are ID
vocating such q bad cause will retracs thsir
steps in time. and that the laborers will stand
BY the conservatives. who are their true ffiends
ana ioin them In the war they are now wsSina
against abuses. monopolies and rings. even
railroad rings. e.s4 ~e
The Times says taxation is not the only oause
of hard times. The non-payment OF taxes BY
property-holders. who now owe the city $500
600. has reduced the administration to such Z
state OF penury that It has been forced 70 dis
charge q majority OF its laboring employees
an to suspend work on many needed public
improvements. Our neighbor wants all the
property owing taxes to be forthwith seized and
sold. 'aH ie ssG .s3A
1t SAYS that retrenchment is not reform. and
that there should be discrimination In going
about efecdpg reductions in the expanso ol
the government Some ofhcss o1shs to b
abolished entirely; the fsss d soms etAees -
ducsd: whilS. on the contrary. by inAsastnl
he salaries OF naay en1ssrs. tho Stats would b