New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-13


= CAPITAL, Ans 4Apo1 y ne11oH.
j It has pse~ed . great asEibuts Of Re-
publican equality that very ereae num-
ber of The most usscd 'cttissoA ranked
among the lower orders ~ Europe. have
developed qualities which make them use-
ful in America. Il il in like manner that
in giving the former slaves political rights
with the means Of mental improvement,
there has been and will be . large addi-
lion to the resorrces of the South. This
increased capacity for usefulness with The
prosecutions and hope of property pro
duces the same effect upon the landless
ex-serf here, as upon the class serf immi-
grant Il binds each 10 the welfare Of
society by training each to the dignity Of
partner.
We have had Hon. Carl Schurz Is .
specimen of the first Prescribed and an
exile, he was driven from Europe to make
the greatful return of his ability and
patriotism to the land that welcomed him.
We find another example of the superior
wisdom Of Republican equality. Senator
T. B. Stamps has been invited to meet
the associated property holders to consider
certain measures of reform in the rate and
manner of taxation, as proposed by them.
This affords him an opportunity to dis
cuss "the proper and favorable relations
between capital and labor
In the address delivered by Mr.. Stamps.
he has, with great modesty and with much
ability represented the right of labor.
Not the mere right of the colored man to
vote at an election, or bring suit for his
wages, but the sacred and inalienable
right which every member of society has
to eat untaxed bread, and toll without
tribute In his very respectful replies to
the propositions of the landlords Mr..
Stamps has pointed out some fallacies Of
that body and has given substantial rea-
sons why their very exclusive economy
will even injure the very interests they
represent. We shall separate the propo-
sitions in which he concurs from those
from which he dissents. This alone will
indicate the reciprocal interests of capital
and labor As understood by him.
He approves the enactment Of . strin-
gent law against bribery, but suggests
that there may be temptation ito bad and
designing men to levy blackmail," and
fears that mo man in public position
would b safe if such a Law were passed"
Mr.. Stamps has the sagacity to see that
all indirect taxation falls upon popular
consumption, SO that sale of the Water
works, markets, wharves, etc., will raise
the tariffs on the daily necessaries Of life.
These taxes, he thinks, prevent our labor
ers from entering Into competition on
equal terms with the citizens of other
States in the production and sale of a
variety Of needfM articles schich zoe hare
no,o to buy from abroad, o,oing in great
measure to this pe,nicious license system.
These are words of wisdom, and deserve
to be pondered by every friend Of our
social prosperity. It may be added that
the landlord, as far Is may BE- charges the
taxes on real estate in his rents. From
these causes it results that tenants who
labor are compelled in many instances to
migrate to cities in which they can pursue
their humble occupation without being
subjected to such exactions as those to
which Mr.. Stamps objects. As corol-
larry from the same rights of labor, he
also approves the reduction Of salaries
and fees. He says: -
We must insist on public officers working
for - fair compensation, and not continue any
longer systen which enables impecunious.
polisiciAps to live in palatial msnsiOns in
prlncejy style after . brief two or three
years OF public life.
He touches an oppressive weight on
labor when he says:
Hope itssH is we'll nigh crushed out of
our people, Wneu to0y SE0 COmpeI1eO "
pay fees to . civil sheriff amounting to
probably 3l25, 600 . year, for clerks of
courts $I5, 900 to @3o, 900 esch; to recorder
Of mortgages Sc, 900 or go 900; to tax
collectors 90 900 to $4,000 each; and to
other officials like large amounts.
This, Mr.. President, IL al wrong; We
must have change.
It is pleasing to see that his proposal
to return to the old system of city govern
ment has been Endorsed by the landlords
themselves in their latest manifesto.
Mr.. Stamps does not approve the pay
ment of taxes in the deprecated obliga-
tons of the city. It departs from the
principle of equality and uniformity, since
the poor man pays his little license tax in
currency, while the rich proprietor may
withhold his tax money until the decline
in public securities enables him to obtain
a practical discount at the treasury.
He agrees with the proposal to unite the
city and State assessments, or to tax the
same property at the same valuation, but
does not appreciate the idea Of Mayor
xh.A n o;<x, IL a mimi nal anvaroi0n