The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-02-24
such penalties by the State was an utter

Gen. Young. Of Claiborne, said he had
voted not to lay the motion on tn,
table, because he wished to hear wha
would be said in favor OF remittins
municipal penalties. He opposed thi
matter OF the State interfering will
municipal affairs. This system, W,
had had enough experience to Judge
was wrong one.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick, of Orleans, could no
see in what manner the interest ant
penalties on back taxes were pledged L
the creditors Of parishes and cities. He
thought that to exclude municipal cor
porations amounted to special legtsla
ton.
Mr.. VOORHEES,. of Orleans. spoke II
| favor OF the reconsideration, aud sale
| that it was questionable, on constitu
tional grounds, whether municipal
corporations had the right to pledge the
| interest and penalties on back taxes &c
their creditors. Neither could he see the
justice Of remitting penalties on parish
taxes and not en- municipal taxes.
Mr.. Bridger, of Caldwell, explained
that this remission Of penalties did not
apply to parish taxes. They were i'm.
posed In the parish only on State taxes.
He objected to the insertion OF the word
municipal, on similar grounds to those
expressed by Ten. 10ung.
Mr.. Hill, OF Orleans, spoke at length
In favor of inserting clause that would
relieve the taxpayers Of New Orleans OF
the onerous burdens imposed on them
by this system OF penalties.
Mr.. Huntington, of Orleans. took
issue with Mr.. Jonas, on his proposition
that these penalties were q pledge to
the creditors OF the city. Mr.. Hunting
ton further said that he knew of no
constitutional provision that made
even the taxes OF the city common
pledge to its creditors. He was, there
fore, In favor of relieving the taxpayers
of the city as we'll as those of the
country.
Mr.. Lyons, of East Feliciana, opposed
the reconsideration, on the ground that
to send the bill back to the conference
committee. when there were only five
days of the session remaining, might
be fatal, and the relief sought to be
given to taxpayers would fail.
Mr.. Jonas, in reply to Mr.. Hill, ex-
planned the law on which he based his
objections.
Gen. Young again wished to call
attention TO the fact that no penalties
were inflicted for the non.p payment of
parish taxes.
Mr.. Newsom interrupted the speaker
to say that In his parish, Tangipahoa,
penalties were inflicted for delinuuen-
oies in the matter of parish taxes.
Mr.. Hill, In answer to Mr.. Jonas,
said that there never was any supposi-
ton made in framing the city budget
that the ten per cent penalty on tax
bills was pledged for the payment of
the floating debt. In fact, when the
budget il made, the expenditures are
computed on the amount OF taxes to be
received during the year, without re-
gard to any ten per cent penalty.
Mr.. Lea, OF st. Helena, also express
ed views concurrent with those of Mr..
Jonas.
The question was put to vote. Yeas
30. nays 40. The motion to reconsider
was lost.
PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS.
BY Mr.. VOORHEES,, of Orleans-A petit
ton from the Colored Sisters of the
Holy Family, asking forreief. Referred
to the Committee on Charitable Institu-
lions.
BY Mr.. Wilde, of Orleans, by consent
"A bill to regulate and preserve the
purity of elections. Referred to the
Judiciary Committee.
The bill provides for the appointment
In the city Of New Orleans, and for each
parish throughout the State, Of regis
trar of voters, who shall keep his Office
open all the year round for the purpose
Of registering voters, giving every one an
opportunity, when he arrives at the
age of twenty-one, of registering free Of
cost and without the jostling and crowd
Ing, incident to registration under
The present law, which crowds every
thing into the space of u few
weeks before the election. Ev-
sry person who shall have died
or moved away, will have that fact dis
covered by the party canvassers during
D campaign, and all persons who shall
have removed from one parish, or in the
of their old certificate,
have their new and latest place OF resi-
ience noted on their certificate. Ten
lays before any election the registrar
shall in conjunction with tho sheriff and
Judge OF the parish court. IL In the
country, and with the sheriff and mayor
n the city of New Orleans, appoint
,hree commissioners of election for each
polling place throughout the parish or
ward the election to be held by and
,nder the direction of said commission
,rs, who shall, after the election. send
compiled copy OF returns to the parish
registrar, who shall compile them and
Onward to the Secretary OF State, who
hall compile and promulgate the re-
urns thus sent. A second copy from
ZACH polling place shall be filed with
he clerk Of the parish court, and a third |
With the sheriff.
The poll sheets upon which the cleo
ion Is held will be also furnished by |
he parish registrar to the commission |
rs OF election, he being compelled to |
urnish, flve days before an election, |
opies OF the names OF every registered |
'oter,in their several election precincts
II wards, to the commissioners. under
'enalty OF heavy fine or imprison-
nent. Ii, for some reason, however, or
through some mistake, or any cause
Thatever, the commissioners of elec-
ion may not have been appointed, or
nay be absent, after waiting two hours.
he citizens at the poll shall elect the
.rr.s n