The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-04-10
TRUE REFORM.
EDITOR DEMOCRAT

EDITOR DEMocRAT-
Will you permit me, through your
columns, to express my views and
the views of a large portion Of the
interested citizens of Alexandria, as
to the revenue collected from the
impoverished people of Alexandris,
and the disposition made of the
same. If am correctly informed,
land believe am, the amount of
licenses, taxes, wharfage and rent of
Corporation property for the year
1877 was $8689.29, out of which the
Mayor receives salary of 100000;
the Constable's salary and percen.
tage for collections made, besides the
fees for arrests, amounts to $l5Ol. 70;
Custodians, $4,000; Secretary $500,
and the Treasurer gets his percen-
tage, amounting to $234.OO-making
in all paid to officers $2635.73, or
about 30 per cent. of the revenue of
the Corporation.
Now, Mr.. Editor, is not that pay.
ing pretty heavy for the privilege of
breathing the air of Alexandria? Is
there no way TO lessen the burden of
1 high taxes? I think there is, but
before stating how, will give the
way how this revenue is laid on the
people. First, by license on bust
ness $4,000 for each Dry Goods
house without reference TO amount
of stock, which makes poor man,
who has stock of $4,000, pay as
much as his neighbor, whose stock
will invoice 100000, which looks
like legislating for the wealthy at
the expense of the poor. Second, by
a tax on property of one half of one
per cent. Third, by wharfage and
rent of Corporation property. So
you see that the bulk of the revenue
is collected from the business of the
Town.
Now, l propose that the Mayors
salary be reduced to $4,000, which
think will compensate him for the
little time devoted to the interests of
the Town. Reduce the Constable's
salary to $4,000, and let that cover
all bis fees, except of arrests, and do
away with the Secretary, and let his
place he filled by one of tile Council.
'nen at $l.OO for each meeting, which
will make saving of at least $75,
and a saving in the aggregate Of
$lle5.00. Then reduce the licenses
TO $1,000 on the small stores. It
does look to me that We ought not to
censure the State Legislature for not
adopting refo,m measures TO a great.
err extent while our Town affairs are
so badly managed.
1t is said that competent men
would not have the Town offices at
the above salaries, but that is q mis-.
take. The present incumbcuts, who
are very efficient officers, l have 10
doubt would hold them, but, as a
matter of course, would prefer to get
"a larger salary, but it is the duty of
the Town Council to lcsjslate for he
many and not for few. There are
but very few men but would like 10
have lat Office, but if they cannot
get fat one they will take one not
so fat. How many young men seek
ing employment, fully competent for
the position of Constable, who are
willing 10 do much harder work at
from $500 to $500 per month
The Mayors position can be filled
by some competent man who has
other business, and the office in con
nection would do very we'll. Mr..
Editor, these are hard times, and the
taxes of State, Parish and Corpora
tion are heavy burdens and ought
to be reduced TO the lowest point,
without regard to individual inter-
ests. Provisions are low and the la
borer who supports himself can work
for smaller wages, because his ex-
penses are not as great. Why will
not the same apply to the salaries of
officers.
l hope, Mr.. Editor, you and your
readers agree with me and that you
will keep the subject before the Coun-
Gil and the people.
Respectfully,
REFoRMER.
~~-.~0sse~>~~~ |
nNR DOLLAR PER WEEK WILL |
" bny SINGER NEW FAMILY SEW |
ING MACHINE from FERGUSON and
SCdNACK. agents for the SINGER MAN. |
UFACTURING co.
NArcHlrocHEs, La, J
Dec. Is, 1851 !