The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-03-11
THE TAX FOR THE NEW ORLEANS
PACIFIC RAILROAD.

1 1AV43xV 0A4o0VAOo
The tax authorized by the Legislature
raise the means to construct the New o.
leans Pacific Railway has been compelle
by the hardest necessity. II is only on tha
ground and plea it could be justified II
the same plea upon which the doctrine Of tn
eminent domain or Of appropriation Of publ
properly for private uses is maintained
Even municipal corporation has the right .
blow up the house of citizen to arrest tn
progress of confagration which may con
sumo large portion of city. Thus. in TIM
of war, or of q great public danger, private
property may be con6scated to save who'll
community from destruction.
It is for this purpose that the tax has beer
proposed to secure the railway to Texas, al
the only practical plan. Il may be freely ad
mitted that the previous rate Of taxation waf
grievously oppressive. This was because the
| tax produced no return; that the govern.
ment which the people were burdened to
support, was not worth the contribution made
to support it.
The tax now proposed is one which gives
every assurance Of q rich return. It will
tighten the burden already existing by in
creasing the value of the property taxed fol
unremunerative objects. A railroad to Texas
will not only arrest the diversion of trade
the most valuable trade our city has hitherto
commanded it will add largely to the
value and productive resources Of our city.
There never was better movement, SO far
as this city in its totality is concerned, than
will be the money contributed by the people
to secure this avenue ofeasy and cheap trans
portation for the products Of this rich and
rapidly developing section. 1t can only be
secured by such contributions; our own peo-
pie must plank down the money to build this
road. Nobody else will do it, nor should he
be called on to do it. It is New Orleans will
receive the chief benefit, and New Orleans
must bear the burden; and light burden it
is compared with the enormous results
Triple the assessment Of property and the
demands OF trade, and an aggregate tax. in
Guiding this railroad tax, will be light indeed.
No one will resist its collection or murmur at
its imposition. Give us back the rents Of
1867, and no landlords will enter into unions
to resist taxation.
Even the burdens of government offensive
to the people will be cheerfully borne in con-
sideration Of the greatly increased trade and
Of advanced values Of all property. And this
result will be brought about by the popular
vote in favor of tax for the New Orleans Pa
ciic road. Property holders, who have here
tofore demurred to the taxation for the sup
port of the government and the enrichment
Of political officials, will promptly pay this
tax. They perceive and comprehend it's ben
efi.s. They perceive that it is not q gratuity,
an enforced contribution, but an investment,
which will yield them double return; first,
in the direct profits Of the earnings Of the
road, and secondly, in the vastly augmented
business and .esources Of the city which all
will share.
The railroad to Texas we must have, else
New Orleans must decline until she sinks to
The condition Of q mere depot for few of
The bulky products Of the South; must sur
render her position as the great commercial
mart ofthe Southwest, where great trusts and
exchanges must be conducted for this vast
ind rich section Of country.
The only practical and operating plan to
,ecure this railroad is that of the New Or
cans Pacific, Its administration and con.
luct'a are in the hands Of our own trusted citi.
men Of the peoples choice and
confidence. And now it is for the people to
ay whether they will consent to contribute
he small assessment demanded Of them for
he execution of this work and the realization
# this great desideratum. It would, indeed,
70 sad day for New Orleans, when it should
70 made public that there existed among the
people any hesitation or division on this
uhioof