The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-06-29
STATE AID TO CORPORATIONS.
The scope Of Legislative Action ana the
Field Of Private Enterprise.

| June 20, 1877.
Eiitor Democrat your issue of the 14th
b. J. s. says:
For many, years have been convinced
But he goes on to say that he hopes the next
Legislature may lay d tax Of one on two mills
| on the dollar in favor Of that part of the
Texas Pacific Railroad In Louisiana; and
urges that for. commercial and military rea-
sons state aid should be given to d road
| from the. Mobile road beyond Pearl River,
| through Alabama and a road from Alexar,.
dria toward Little Rock, Ark, st. Louis and
| the North and West.
The writer does not say to what extent the
long the one or two mill tax should be con-
tinued. Nor does he state that the road be-
yond Pearl river would in any part lie within
the limits Of Louisiana.
We would have supposed that the writer
had reference to the action of the State
through it's Representatives in Congress In
influencing the patronage of the general gov
ernment in favor of1these roads had he not
alluded to the operations OF our State Legis-
lature in relation to the imposition of taxes TO
forward these roads. with Che highest re- g
spect for the abilities and character of your
correspondent we are at o loss to understand
the application OF the affirmation quoted in
the second line, with the recommendation to
State to the payment OF taxes to railroad cor
pOratiOns OF such extensive proportions.
We agree with B. J. s. that our people have
been too much governed74t0o much the sub
iects OF legislation, unwise, unjust and uIl-
friendly-particularly in the extortions pro-
posed and practiced upon them for the benefit
OF corporations.
His proposition to irradiate our geographic
cal aspect with railroads under the nusDiees of
State tavor and ''Mere stop" Is one iiIwhich
we cannot agree. The st0ppage, In my opin-
ion, should BE-. .nop, and SO pronounced that
the visions Of prospective State aid angen-
dered in. the minds Of expectant corpOfators
dedicated to the flrtheranee Of Losaiaiana's d
prosperity should fade away like the morning
mists.. Lately, the constitutional and legal
objections bearing upon this subject have
been forcibly set forth through the medium of
the press in the matter Of the proposed city
tax in favor of the Texas Pacific Railroad.
- lts e condemnation by tremendous majority
by its advocates through appeals to their
purely personal interests, CONVEYS an, ,1n-
mistakable expression of the popular sense
upon this question, and of it's determination
Inent is predicated upon the delivery of vote
to be obtained through arguments addressed
to it's classification or cupidity.
Louisiana's interests, we think, are more
to be subserved by fostering and building up
the enfeebled energies of her private interests,
than by directing any portion of her public
means to the promotion OF new public or
corporate schemes or works. How should
Jhls be done? Obviously, the first step the
State should take ought to be the reduction of
taxation, as far as possible, on all of her in
iustries. Not by increasing them with new
assumptions. This with the efficient i'd |
Of her laws in every portion of
her domain would soon invite capital and
population and stimulate her interests. Re- |
ieved Of some Of the burdens Of taxation and |
enjoying good government the people would |
nave more strength to produce wealth. In I
'reased production attracts capital, lessons
interest, and begets credit; thereupon ensues
influx Of population and propagated prosper
ty. Then wherever materials to carry and |
passengers to transport could be found, if |
need required, new highways and railroads |
would spring up to give these transit to com
nercial centres Where the carcass is there
will the eagles be gathered
But then private individuals, not States.
vill build these roads, and the very wealth |
hey seek to carry will lend it's aid to plant
hem
Having in natures most exuberant form
most OF the elements necessary TO develop
let US bring them into active and
successful operation, first by wise and econ
mic government, and secondly though the
nergies and intelligent industry Of our
,eople j. B. w