The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-19

They Meet and Express an opinion
Against the Railroad Tax.

Pursuant to call for those opposed TO the
railroad tax, large and intelligent audience
o. sembled at the wigwam corner OF Liberty and
Jackson streets.
The meeting was called to order at ~ o'clock
by DIR. y. II. Tebault, and Mr.. Daniel OLeary
was invited 10 act 40 president, and Mr.. VIM. H.
Harris az secretary.
Judge Peter Kaiser was called for and made q
plain, common sense and foroible speech against
the proposed tax.
Mr.. T.. J. Fallon was now called for, and ex-
pressed himself in clear and logical manner to
the effect that II was not to the interest OF any
class that the tax should be imposed.
The following resolutions were new offered by
DR.. Tebault:
Resolved, That that government lie best which
taxes it's citizens the lightest.
Resolued, That we deem u absolutely neosasa-
~ that this CITY, in tho interest Of true reform,
must come to d cash basis, to the end that her
school teachers, her aboripg men. her police,
and all her other employees should be paid dollar
for dollar for work actually performed,
RESOLVED, that in order to meet all her ex-
penses dollar for dollar, and to pay oil her en-
employees punctually, II IL absolutely indspensa-
BILE that her taxation be not further increased by
the levy of an additional half per cent tax for
any purpose whatever; and that we are utterly
building Of railroad from Alexandria, on Red
river, 10 MRrshHll, Texas.
Resolped, That We are utterly oppoted TO the
principle npon which this tax is sought to be
against it's imposition ourselves, but to do all in
our power to defeat it's levy by condemning ii
among our friends aud acquaintance.
ResotDed, That we protest against this project
ed election for the 25th of the present month"; be-
cause the new registration act No. 101 OF the
extra session Of 1877 has repealed the old corrupt
registration, and made IL necessary that an en-
tirely new registration shall be completed before
another election can be legally held.
Resolued, That should such railroad tax cleo
ton be held and carried, it will work the greatest
injury TO the working classes, for rents will be-
| come higher; food, clothing and other neces-
saries of life will rise In price; while the laborers
wages will fall In value, aud work will be more
Resolped, That the New Orleans Pacific
Railway Company have thus far employed the
penitentiary convict labor to the exclusion OF the
honorable and law.abiding laboring man; and
pany will continue to employ these convict slaves,
white and black, which the law has sent to the
penitentiary, but which the penitentiary contrac-
tor and the New Orleans Pacific Railroad
Company work against their will upon this rail-
road.
Mr.. Mitchell was now called on, and spoke very
earnestly against the proposed tax as initiating
against the rights of property.
Mr.. Chas Heath was now called for. lie gave
mechanics view OF the subject. He took the
ground that every dollar paid toward this tax was
Indirectly taken out OF the wages OF the
mechanics. by stopping repairs and improve
ments.
Mr.. w. II. Pemberton said we had too much
experience in railroads to swallow this one. The
New Orleans, jackson and Northern Railroad
was run in the interest of Chicago. We had no
assurance that Mr.. Wheelock, who was good
man, would continue as director. He would be
put out at the next election OF directors.
Meeting adjourned.