New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-09

diminish the tax"
This suggestion is not sufficiently clear.
I can understand that it is preferable to
have Ole assessment rather than two, not
only because it will cost less, but for many
other reasons. But. gentlemen. would not
The act of paying the State taxes At the
City Hall be comforting the powers OF the
sovereign upon the creature. This would
be an anomalous condition of things, and
one which ! am sure you would not, upon
maturer reflection, desire to bring about.
Already we have but one assessment for
law authorizing the city assessment to be
made by the State assessors was passed,
and though it was looked upon at first with
disfavOr, it is now generally conceded to be
q marked improvement. both in economy
and convenience, over the old method. A
great reform in assessment has been made,
and in order that you may appreciate 1t
shall read you the figures:
Cost Of assessing city Of New Orleans for
State taxes and paid by the State of -.
Louisiana, for the year 1873 80. $50, ia 6o
Cost of asse ssiug the city Of New Orleans
for city taxes, and paid by the city
OF New Orleans, for the year IS'3..'. 81 S9o IL
Total paid BY State and city. $685. or II
Cost OF assessing the city OF New Orleans
for the year 1875, for State and city
taxes Stats e35,OO0, city $l6ooO.. $1,000 oo
Decrease. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. S44,O72 II
Total decrease Of expenses for assessing
the city of New Orleans for the year 1873,
$44O72 H. the assessments being made IN
der the provisions of act No. II OF 1875.
Your seventh proposition, ito repeal all
laws that make it obligatory on Taxpayers
to pay in cash, but allow all taxes to be
paid in any legal evidences of State or city
dues for the year both are made payable,
except interest coupons" l can not support.
Experience has taught US that whenever
legislation Of this kind has been had no
benefits have come To the people, mean
especially the poor people. Only ring OF
brokers or some rich property holders who
have been staving off for years the payment
of their taxes will derive any good from
such law. Those men are chronic tax re-
sistere, and will continue to be 80 until we
abolish the paper system, collect all taxes
and dues in each. and pay for labor and
supplies in the same. As long as piece OF
papsr is allowed to be issued by the city,
ius. 80 long will our laborers be compelled
| to work for twenty five cents on the dollar
and lust so long will those rich tax resisters
| be enabled to pay their taxes at the same
rate, while the poor man will have to pay
| in full
The eighth and last proposition is
ITO frame the law SO that the assessment
| rolls shall be final judgments, and that fthe
| delinquent rolls filed in the mortgage office
shall remain charge as recorded judg-
| ments until paid, without any costs OF
clerks or sheriffs or other officers, except
ten cents for recording and ten cents for
erasing each tax, to be PAID to the re-
| corder.'
| repeat. in this connection, that 1 am
| willing to cut down clerks, sheriffs and re-
| cOrters' fees, but to the other part OF the
measure l do and will always stand OPP
| posed. If this suggestion were crystalized
into a law, the effect would be virtual
stay of the collection of taxes from the
large property-holders who would ma 1t
| cheaper and easier to pay ten cents tor re-
cording each iudgmen MT against them than
to foot their tax bills as the poor man, whU
can not afford the luxury of legal iouste
would have to do.
This last suggestion is open to grave sus-
picion; it looks as if designed to cover
some special class interests, and unless i,
should be coupled with some provision tG
rigidly enforce the collection of taxes from
ali persons alike shall be found always
as | am now, strenuousiy opposed to it.
In conclusion, Mr.. President and gentle
men, permit me to thank you for YOU
much valued courtesy, and to assure you
that in all things that l deem right you
will ever find me working for your interests
One feature of this meeting is especially
gratifying to me, and that is the cordia
| cOmnlngIiDS OF inc races Aotioeu VI
| first coming into the hall white ant
colored men in friendly and earnest con
verse and could not but feel that we wer.
on the eve of a better day: day on whicl
all race and political prejudicss, stal
! be buried in a common grave, and iron
which shall date an era OF friendship. peac
and prosperity. trust that this rising sta
of hope which / here see is not destined
soon to set, nor its brightness to be dimme'
by the clouds and shadows of hate ant
jealousy; l trust that you. my whl1e reno"
citizens, Will extend to the colored man til
like protection IN tue enforcement OF lay
yourselves enjoy. Make him feel that hi
life is safe: that his earnings shall be sc
cured to hiln; that his children shall enJo
educational advantages. ami my word TO
il he will repay YOU a hundred fold in hi
gratitude and increased usefulness, both
you and the commonwealth.
During the delivery of his speech Senate
Stamps was frequently applauded.