The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-01-05
The roll was called, and the motion pre-.

no IOll was CalteU, anu the mOtlOu pre-.
vailed.
Mr.. Hahn called uo his resolution. He
said that he in introducing it desired to place
himself on record as Directing to impugning
the action OF the committee who had made
the former investigation.
Mr.. Dupre asked how the Speaker had
voted on the motion to suspend, and was an
swered that the Speaker voted in the affirma-
tive.
Mr.. Wilt said that he did not wish to cast
reflection on the action of the committee, and
at the same time moved to table Mr.. Hahn's
motion.
called, and the motion to table was carried by
IA vote Of 60 to 40.
Mr.. Wiliz moved the adoption Of his reso-
luton.
Mr.. Sartair moved as an amendment that
no charges investigated at the extra session
should be investigated at the present session.
Mr. Ray again called for committee to in
vestigate. He wanted an investigation from
the Governor to the lowest constable.
motion WAS made to table Mr.. Sartain's
substitute, and this motion was adopted.
Mr.. Wilt called up his resolution and it
was adopted.
ing for committee Of seven to consider the
like committee from the Senate.
Mr.. Kidd raised the point that the resolu-
ton was out of order, as the census had not
been presented to the House, and until it was
presented, there could be no apportionment.
Mr.. Hahn replied that there could be no
business transacted until the apportionment
was settled, and INDUCED in some pleasan-
tries at the expense of his " BRETHREN" dwell
ing on the speeches they intended to make
Mr.. Kidd moved that committee be ap-
pointed to examine the census returns. And
on this Mr.. Fl Inn withdrew his resolution.
Several motions to adjourn were made, one
was lost, and the rest not entertained.
Mr.. Levisee offered the following resolution,
which, after some discussion, was laid over
under the rules and was ordered spread on
the minutes:
Whereas, this House recognizes the i'm
poverished condition of the people of the
State; and
Whereas, il is the desire of the members of
this House to do all in their power to alleviate
the burdens of taxation by which the indus
tries of the State are too greatly oppressed;
BE 1t resolUed, That the members Of this
House will remit the mileage that may be due
them for the present session, and will receive
in full compensation of mileage and per diem
for this session only the per diem allowed by
tendance upon their Legislative duties and
the actual travelling expenses incurred by
each.
Resolued, That the Commute on Appropri-
atoms be instructed, in Preparing the Appro-
priation Bill for the present session, to COM
pute the pay OF the members Of this House on
the basis of the foregoing resolution.
The message of the Governor vetoing the
bill changing the venue in the Newton case
was received. The Governor set forth that
the case had been disposed of by court Of
com peten. jurisdiction.
The following was also received from the
Cover or:
STATE OF LOUISIANA,
Executive Department,
New Orleans, January 3, 1876. J
To the Honorable Speaker and Members of the
House Of Representatives
return herewith an act which originated
in your body, entitled "An act rela-
tive to taxpayers; to reduce the outs .andlng
Indebtedness Of the State, and to provide for
the remission of the interest and penalties on
certain unpaid taxes under certain conditions,
and providing for the redemption OF property
sold Tor taxes and forfeited to the State OF
Louisiana" This bill was presented for my
signature soon after the close of the extra
session, and, as the measure was of such
great public interest and importance,
I prepared and filed with the Secre-
tary of State, for general informa-
ton, on the 81 Of May. 1875, the
following statement of my reason for declin-
ing to approve the bill I can not approve
this bill tor many reasons. Section of this
act would make all valid warrants, scrips and
bonds of the State, regardless of the year in
which they were issued. or the funds upon
which they are drawn, receivable in payment
of all taxes due tbs State and collectable prior
to 1875 This is in violation of the principle
underlying the present financial policy OF the
government, that the revenues Of each year
are pledged for the payment of the current
expenses of that year. The tax due to any
special fund is pledged to the holder of war
rants on that fund. The creditor has vested
rights, and the State can not 10 good faith
divert these funds. This principle applies
not only to the school, levee and back interest
fands. but also to the charitable institutions
and the salaries of the constitutional officers
of the State. I can not consistently give my
sanction to measure which would be an act
of bad faith to our creditors and an injustice
to the majority of the taxpayers OF the State
Aside from the reasons stated above, which
refer solely to the manner in which the bill
is drawn, I further disapprove OF the spirit of
the measure in this That it gives to the de-
linquent Taxpayer or tax resister an unfair
advantage over the honest taxpayer, who
bears the burden of the support OF the gov
eminent. An annual bill for the relief of de-
linquent taxpayers in some form or another
is looked for by class of citizens as a GER
tainty, and this mistaken policy has, in q
great measure, caused the present large de-
linquent list. property owners feeling, as is
most natural and proper, that they should
not pay their dues in cash on demand while
their neighbors are permitted by becoming
delinquenls to pay at a reduction of fifty to
seventy per cent.
The policy is as unwise as it is unfair, and
should be discouraged by all good citizens.
If the payment of taxes were made equal and
uniform throughout the State, the rate could
be reduced nearly one-half. and the credit of
the State would be proportionately improved.
have this day signed with some hesitation
the Senate BILL entitled can act to relieve the
delinquent tax payers from the pawn mt OF
penalties is certain cases" This bill is sub
ject to some of the same objections which