The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-08-07

| In0 1ts this morning published o
very inteu1 1eting and truly valuable CON
tributi6n 70 the present canvass under
the heading Hard Times" From the ar
ticle we print IN extract headed ''Taxa-
tion.' whi6h We especially commend to
our readers.
The DEMOCRAT has always entertained
the theory that bad government and
over taxation were the causes Of the
depression OF our commerce and indus
tries, and consequently OF the poverty
and misery OF the working classes
First one scheme and then another has
been broached and advocated as the
certain plan for reviving our
trade and giving employment
to the working people. and each sue
cessive scheme has failed to stir the
stagnant pools OF trafflc or to appease
the distressing CRY for work and bread.
We have regarded most OF these schemes
rs important public works, but our
opinion hiss all along been that the only
road to . renewal Of public prosperity
was the organization OF our political
system upon basis OF ability, integrity
and economy that would insure a re-
duction OF taxation and as the calami-
ties Of the country are approaching
their climax this fact Is becoming
evident. We we'll remember that when
the Texas and Pacific Railway bill first
passed Congress and the work OF extern
sion westward was about to begin, we
we're told that trade would surely re-
vive In Shreveport and jefferson, and
all the laborers In those regions OF
country would be made happy with
work. The road was built far west.
ward. but there were as many idle
workmen as ever Jefferson gradually
declined. and Shreveport drew no new
life from the enterprise. Scarcely two
years ago, when the jetty bill passed
Congress and Capt Eads and Col An
drews came down with their money to
begin work, then again we were told
how the working men Of New Orleans
were to be employed, and there was to
be no more poverty and want among
the working people. The jetty works
are nearly completed; vast sums OF
money have been expended, but the
trade OF New Orleans has continued
to decline. and the working men are as
hungry and Idle as ever; In fact, as the
Times shows, In actual distress. But
the quack doctors OF the situation have
found another nostrum for the disease
of the body polite. We are now told
that II tax is levied upon the
property OF the city to build
the New Orleans Pacific Railroad the
trade of New Orleans will be restored to
its former proportions and that there
will be abundance OF employment for
the werkingmen. And on this wild and
theory 1t is insisted that the
Democratic party should accept the fact
that the levy Of this tax Is the one
thing that will restore the prosperity of
the State, and that unless the party or
It's candidates shall declare themselves
In favor Of 1t, they ought not to be sup
ported.
Against the levy Of this tar we have
u~eAAu8 NV ~ uhSos LAG HuCSDsoh VI
its legality IL before the courts, and
when the highest judicial tribunal shall
determine that the tax Is legal let it be
and collected. But to the
broad proposition that the construction
Of this road Is OF paramount Importance
TO the election OF an honest admins
tration, and that the levy OF this tax
upon the property holders will
afford employment to the dis
tressed working people, we emphatic
ally dissent. The evils which have
struck down our commerce and indus
tries are fundamental In our present
political system, and the reform of that
system can alone destroy them. The
Pacific Railroad has added little to the
wealth Of Northwest Louisiana. and
nothing to Its trade and prosperity
while the jetty works have scarcely |
,tilled single voice OF distress,
Railroads and all such things are not
he creators OF good government;
hey are the results Of good gov
No public work will save
his State and city. The evil is In gov
and taxation. and 1t cannot be
'emedied or relieved by increasing tax
'tion for any specific work, however
The Pacific tax. whether
be just or unjust, wise or
lnwise, will add little or nothing
o the prosperity OF New Orleans
Until there shall be q system OF
aw and government In the State which
vill inspire capital with confidence. and
which will leave the revenues OF proper
ty and industry In the hands OF the
'eople instead OF absorbing them
through taxation to enrich and fatten
host Of pap-suckers and political
'inps. From the levy OF this tax the
Working mon Of New Orleans have
lothing to gain. Its levy will
imply result In larger con-
raot between the directors and Mr..
ames, the lessee OF the Penitentiary.