New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-11-17

ment ellis, 1t becomes matter OF serious
momert if the rolls of one or more districts
are incorrect and unfair, and tainted With
Partially through improper influences and
motives. g is alleged by Mr.. Thompson.
The matter calls for the serious and i'm
mediate attention of the Council, and
respectfully AJAX for the necessary instruc
tions to guide my conduct in the premises.
P. L. BOUNY,
Administrator of Finance ad interim.
OFFICE BeaRo OF STATE AND CITY AssEssoRs,l
New Orleans, La, November II, 1876.
Hon Edward Plsbury. Administrator Of Finance
City of New Oflaans:
SIR have the disagreesble duty of in
| forming You that for reasons which have
ASSIGNED / have refused to sign the ASSESS
ment rolls for the Second District for the
current year, and having signed the rolls of
| the First District through mistaken no
ton a. to their fairness, have declined to
make oath thereto as required, and have
communicated in full my reasons therefor
to his excellency the Governor. The JUS
| tee of the peace refused to enter on the
making oath thereto. Very respectfully,
CHARLES H. THOMPSON,
Assessor Fourth District.
OFFICE BOARD OF STATE AND C1r1 AsskssoRs
New Orleans, La, November IL. 1876.
Honorable Edward Piisbury, Administrator OF Fl
nance.
SIR enclose here with for your informa.
ton and tor such use as You may deem
proper to make of it, copy of q letter
which have addressed to his excellency,
the Governor, pertaining to matters vitality
affecting the city of New Orleans as we'll
az the State. The letter is explanatory of
''O CHARLES II. THOMPSON,
Assessor Fourth District
[Copy.J
OFFICE BOARD OF STATE AND CRY ASSESSORS,
New Orleans, November 10, 1876. !
To His Excellency the Governor:
S1R-On the fifth day of April last, was
honored by you with an appointment as
State tax assessor for the Fourth District
of this city. At the time of, and previous
to, my appointment, great and general dis
satisfaction existed in relation to the as
sessment of property in the district to
which l was assigned. Immediately on
entering upon the discharge of my duties,
gave personal and careful attention and
consideration to each and every complaint
of erroneous or improper assessment, when
applied to in person by the owner of the
property 80 assessed. My consideration
of these complaints, and my experience
realization of the fact that there was
not only just cause for such COM
plant in the matter of assessments.
but, also, strongly impressed me with the
belief, which ultimately ripened into con-
victioD, that the office Of the board of as
SCISSORS was being systematically prOsti-
ted and used, especially in two districts, by
selfish, unprincpled and ignoble men tor
mercenary purposes. in violation of all de-
cency and honor, at the expense of citizens
and of the State and city; and it was daily
demonstrated to me that the very name Of
an assessor was regarded with scorn and
held in contempt and adherence by
reputable and right thinking people,
and that the board, as constituted and con-
Quoted, was q stencil in the public nostrils.
Now, after seven months Of continuous
and ardueus labor, having during that |
period sustained kindly personal relations |
with each and every member of the board,
and having prepared and completed, as the |
law directs, the tableaux and assessment |
rolls for the current year, it is, sincerely |
assure you, with feelings of deepest regret |
am compelled to inform your excellency |
that, being actuated by sense of duty to
the public and q due regard for the law, |
my oath and my own self-respect, as we'll |
az for the interest of the State and city, |!
and in defense of the integrity of your ad
and some OF the members of
this board, together with a respect and
care for the purity of republicanism which
have upheld and earnestly maintained
through all the years of my lie and stand
ever ready and willing to protect and de-
fend, and for which confess and plead
special jealousy, have refused to atfix my
signature and make oath as the law re-
quires to the assessment rolls OF the Second
District; and baving previously signed the
rolls of the First District through mis-
taken idea, l have declined to make oath |
thereto, and have filed with the board my
protest denying their accuracy, reliability
and fairness; because,
l. The method adopted and pursued by
the board in making alterations or changes
lation, lie in direct and clear violation of the
letter and spirit of the law creating the
board, and defining the duties and powers.
IN this:
That it permits each member to make al
teratiOns and reduction in the assessments
for their respective districts, without the
of any other member, and thus
binding the board by such individual and
action. And l here maintain
the proposition that every reduction of as
seesment made in this manner-and hun
treds have been so made-is illegal, and, |
therefore, null and void, and of no binding
force on either the State or city.
:. This private and secret method OF
and reducing assessments-and,
70 my mind, reductions should be made
only where there is shown to be manifest
created q system of broker
sge, as it is called for want of any other
respectable designation, which clearly
'Ould not have been brought into existence
Without the sanction or connivance of the |
assessors in whose districts such reprehen-
ible and matchmaking practices thrive,
md which has been carried on, it is notOri-
us, to a degree, and in q manner SO bold
nd audacious that iu is simply infamous in
ts baseness, startling in it's unblushing and |
razen effrontry, fearful in its magnitude
nd proportions, and direful in its conse-
uences. 1t has brought upon the board
lst and merited reproach and condemna-
ion, has mantled with the blush OF incig-
ant shame the cheek of every
onest Republican who has knowl
dge Of the perfidy displayed, and
as eickened and disheartened them
nd made them Respondent rs to the {
lccessful elevation of Republicanism; has !
orked damage to the interests and credit :
the State and city by diminishing the 5
venues; mas undermined confidence and | '