The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-02-16
Proceedings OF a Mass-Meeting
Jitigens and Tax Payers Of the Town
of Donaldsonville.
DoNALDsoNv1LLE, La, Feb. 9, 1878.

DoNALDsoNvILLE. LA, Feb. 9, 1878.
At meeting of citizens and tax payers of
the town of Donaldsonville this day, con-
vened in compliance with the call of com
mittee consisting of the Mayor and two Al
dermen, authorized by the Common Council
to convoke said meeting, Frederick Duffel
was called to the chair and David Israel
appointed secretary.
The president explained the object of the
meeting. in few words, then on motion, du-
ly adopted, the chair appointed the follow
ing gentlemen to draft resolutions express
sive of,the sense of this meeting: G. Kline,
Felix Reynaud, VIM. KIopman, Y. Maurin,
p Lefeyre, Henry Cook H. 0. Maher, Ursin
Landry.
After brief consultation, the committee
returned and reported the following pream-
BILE and resolutions, which were unanimous
" adopted;
WHEREAS, Under the present act of in.
corporation of the town Of Donaldsonyille,
which was enacted in 1870 with the special
view of eXempting imInovablc property sit
uated therein-:tnd upon which alone the
Police Jury had prior thereto II right to levy
IL tax-from further taxation by the said
Police Jury, instead of being relieved, the
only barrier to the unlimited power of the
Police Jury to tax all property, personal
and real as well us all trades, occupations
and professions, within said Incorporated
town was removed, us was decided by the
Supreme Court in the case of " Maurin u.s.
the Tax Collector of the parish of Ascen-
sion-25 An. p. as;
ResOlced, That i'll the opinion Of this
meeting-and we may safely assert, in the
opinion of all the citizens and tax payers of
this tewn-it is both unjust and improper
that we should any longer pay to the parish
of Ascension taxes and licenses from which
we derive no adequate and corresponding
benefits, and that committee of cur repre-
sentative men should be appointed at once
TO confer with the members of our local bar
and ask their aid and advice in suggesting
and drafting such suitable amendments to
our act of Incorporation, us iii their Judgment
will relieve us from triple taxation, and at
same time hold us liable to q just and rea-
sonable pro rata of such debts and expenses
as our citizens may occasion to the parish,
and which we consider it our moral duty to
assume and pay.
ReSOtred farther, That said committee to
be thus appointed be earnestly requested to
exert themselves in arousing the attention
of our Senator and Representatives to the,
to us, vital importance of relieving us from
our present ruinous charter and to respect
FULLY urge and solicit them to use their I'M
firing efforts and all their influence in effect
ing the speedy passage of such proposed
amendments as will bring us the desired re-
lief.
hesolced further, That we have seen with
regret the obstacles hitherto thrown in our
way from unexpected quarters, in carrying
through any bill for the relief of our over
burdened tax payers, and it is the sense OF
this meeting, in case this, our last effort,
proves again unsuccessful, that we do most
earnestly petition our Legislature as the
only mode left us by which to escape triple
taxation, to repeal and abolish the act of in
corporation Of the ancient town of Donald
sonville, and send her back to the paternal
care of her taskmasters, the Police Jury of
| the parish Of Ascension.
Res0ired That the chairman and secre-
tary of this meeting transmit to our Senator
and Representatives i'll the Legislature, ana
to the New Orleans Democrat and Donald
sonville CHIEF, a copy OF the above pre-
amble and resolutions.
The following resolution was read and
adopted;
| ResOlred, That committee, to he COM
! posed of the Mayor OF the town of Donald
sonyille and two tax payers, be appointed
whose duty it will be to draw up suitable
| memorial to the Legislature, setting forth
| the reasons necessitating such amendments
| to our charter as will exempt rs from the
| imposition of a triple tax, the burdens and
| benefits of which are unjust and unequal /;
and that the same be circulated in town for
signatures, aud be transmitted with the
preamble and resolutions adopted by this
| meeting to our Senator and Representatives
| to be by them submitted to the legislature
| The chair appointed on said committee p
Klopman and Dr. d. Claverie.
! A vote of thanks for the use of the hall
was rendered to S. Schonberg.
| On motion, the meeting adjourned.
FREDERICK DUFFEL,
A true copy: Chairman.
| DANIn ISRAEL Secretary