New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-05
NEW ORIEANS REPUBLICAN, W. DNESDAY, JANUARY 1876

NEW OkLEANO An.
for persons and papers, and be required to
report to this House within thirty days.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION.
The Speaker laid before the House the
following veto message from the Governor:
STATE OF LOUISIANA
Executive Department. Z
New Orleans, January 3. 1876.
To the Honorable Speaker and Members Of the
House Of Representatives,:
return without my approval joint re.
solution changing the venue IN the case OF
the State We. Alexander Newton The
reasons assigned tor the change OF venue
did not seem to ne satisfactory, and since
the bill WAS presented to me The case has
been disposed of by q court of competent
jurisdiction.
, WILLIAM P. KELLOGG,
Governor.
On motion of Mr.. Demas the above veto
message was ordered to lie on the table sub
| ject to call.
The Speaker also submitted the following
veto message from the Governor:
STATE OF LOUISIANA
Executive Department I
New Orleans, January 3, 1916
To the Honorable Spea ker and Members OF Inc
House of HI representatives.:
return herewith an act which originated
in your body. entitled IAN act 10 relative tax
payers; to reduce the outstanding Indebted
ness of the State, and tO provide tor the
remission of the interest and penalties on
certain unpaid taxes under certain condl-
tions, ana providing for the redemption OF
property solt for taxes and forfeited to the
State of louisiana" This bill was presened
for my signature soon after the close OF the
extra session, and as the measure was
OF such great public interest and impor-
| lance, l prepared and filed with the
Secretary of State for general in1orma-
ton on the eighth of May 1873, the
following statement OF my reason tor
declining to approve the bill: l can not
approve this bill for many reasons. Section
one Of this act would make all valid war
rants, scrips and bonds of the State, re-
gardless OF the year in which they were ID
sued, or the funds upon which they are
drawn, receivable in payment of all taxes
due the State and collectable prior to 1879.
This is in violation of the principle under,
lying 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 holders OF
warrants on that fund. The creditor has
vested rights, and the State can not in good
faith divert these funds. This principle ap-
plies not only to the school, levee and back
interest funds, but also to the charitable in
situations and the salaries of the constitu-
tional officers of the State. l can not con-
sistently 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, further disapprove Of
the spirit of the measure in this: That 1t
gives to the delinquent taxpayer or tax re-
sister an unfair advantage over the honest
taxpayer, who bears the burden OF the sup
port Of the government. An annual bill for
the relief of delinquent taxpayers in some
form or other 10 looked for by class OF
citizens as certainty, and this mistaken
policy hae, in great measure, caused the
present large delinquent list, property own
ers feeling, as is most natural and proper, III 1t
they should not pay their dues in cash on
demand while their neighbors are permitted
BY becoming delinqneIts to pay at reduc-
ton of fifty to seventy per cent.
This policy is as unwise as 1t is unfair
and ehouli be discouraged by all good
citizens. If the payment of taxes were
made equal and uniform throughout the
State, tine rate could be reduced neai ~ one
ii,
proportionately improved.
l have this day signed with some hesita
ton the Senate bill, entitled IAN act to
relieve the delinquent tax payers from the
payment of penalties in certain cases. lhls
bil is subject to some of TIE sans objections
which have induced me to disapprOve Of the
House Lii, but it is not open to principal
objection, viz: The partial re mission Of the
tax itst II, by permitting its pay ment in de-
preciated paper. Approaching the fact
that there are peculiar reasons why come
are delinquent at this time. approve this
bill remiiting penalties in certain cases.
trusting each delinquent taxpayer Will
now cheerfully and promptly come forward
and share his portion of the public burden.
1t is a grave question, considering the
title and wording of this bill. whether
fair construction will not fine its pro-
visions to the overlooked districts; but de-
string to give all the relief possible. will
instruct the proper officers to give the most
liberal Interpretation to the act and to re-
ceive payment Of delinquent taxes through
out the State without penalties, until the
courts shall direct otherwise.
With this statement l now return the Dill
w. P. KELLOGG.
Governor.
On motion of Mr.. Lowell the above veto
message was ordered to be referred to the
Committee on Judiciary.
The Speaker also laid before the H ,use
the report of the registrar of voters il rela-
ton to the census of 1875, the re- 1ding of
which was dispensed with, and it was or
dered to lie on the table under he rules.
Mr.. Murrell called up the following reso-
luton introduced by him yesterday:
RESOLVED, That the Sp' saker of the House
appoint committee IF seven on appor-
tionment. and that all bills relating to the
same be referred 20 said committee.
Mr.. Lowell. moved reference of the reso-
luton to nc Committee on Rules.
On s.ation of Mr.. Kidd Mr.. MurrelFs
re,eolation was ordered to lie on the table.
On motion of Mr.. Ray the House ad-
iouned until tomorrow, at ii A. NJ,
PETER j. TREZEVANT,
Chief Clerk
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