Louisiana capitolian., 1880-01-24

dominates and involves all other inter
ests. The cultivation Of the soil is th,
source of subsistence for the masses o
the people. The only increase in pros
pcrity which Louisiana can expect mus,
be drawn by labor, skill and capita
from her prolific fields. l recommend
the early establishment of this bureau
as guide to agricultural investments
as means of gathering and distributing
information useful to planters and farm
ers; as fountain Of useful knowledge
pertaining to the productive resource,
OF the State; as help to all future ley.
islation bearing upon the interests o1
husbandry; as an aid to strangers at.
tracted by the natural wealth and sslu.
brity of all sections of the State, and a.
an effcctual means of bringing into
practical use all the light which science
and experience are developing from day
to day for the benefit of the noblest and
most useful industry in which the hand
of man was ever employed. In my opin-
ion, the board should be composed Of
enlightened, practical planters from
each congressional district, selected with
special reference to their fitness and the
interest they take in the promotion of
agriculture. None but the executive
officers of the board should receive CON-
pensation, and these only according to
the capacity required and the service
rendered. OF the limited sum allowed
by the constitution for the annual use
of the board, considerable share should
be used to procure and to publish in 9TH
er States and in Europe information
respecting the advantages offered by
Louisiana to those who are in search of
homes and productive lands at low pri-
ccs in an attractive and healthy region.
One Of the chief advantages from this
board will be i'll directing hither some
of the immigration which comes srom
the Old World to help occupy, develop
and enrich the new American farms now
furnishing grain and meat for Europe to
the value Of hundred millions of dollars
each year. After transportation three
or four thousand miles by land and sea,
the wheat of the Mississippi Valley is
placed at the doors of the best farmers
in Europe at prices below what it costs
the latter to raise it. Besides feeding
millions of Europeans, America fnrn-
ishcs the raw material upon which the
labor of these millions are expended.
Wages Of mechanics, operatives and
farm labOrers there are less than half
of those paid in this country, while the
cost of subsistence is much greater. The
American demand for European manu-
factures, even under the stimulus of an
active and increasing demand for our
products abroad, is visibly declining.
European artisans and laborers, as they
become more and more enlightened, are
growing more and more weary of toiling
for the support Of privileged classes,
enormous standing armies, extravagant
dynasties, and all the hordes of non
producers whose subsistence comes out
of the proceeds of labor, and can come
from no other source. Immigration to
this country is the practical recognition
and natural result of these facts. It is
the dictate Of the simple economy of
common sense that the intelligent work
ingmen of Europe should come where
land is plenty, where labor is in demand,
where motive power and raw materials
are unlimited, and where low taxes are
paid for economical government.
1t is for us to say whether this inflow
Of desirable population shall. be for the
exclusive benefit of other States, which
invite and welcome it, or whether Lou
isiana shall share in this benefit in pro-
portion to the advantages which she
offers. In my view the importation of a
single ship load of healthy and indus
trions European families adds to the
wealth and prosperity of the State more
than the export OF many cargOes of our
surplus products. For our own welfare
we must heed the sound economy which
demands that consumers and producers
shall be brought nearer together.
A well managed Board Of Agriculture
will afford great help in promoting such
results and attracting immigrants to
fertile lands.
EQUALITY OF TAXATION.
Article 2O3 requires tho General Az.
sembly at its first session "to provide a
system Of equality and uniformity in
assessments, based npon the relative
value of property in the different por-
tons of the State" 1t is in vain to de-
clare in our bill of rights that taxation
shall be equal and uniform when prop
erty tax is valued high or low according
TO the peculiar methods or arbitrary
Judgment of local assessors. To be inst
and equitable, tax must bear with
equal pressure upon property in strict
ratio to its actual value; and this value
can seldom be truly ascertained other
wise than by estimate of competent and
revisors of assessment.
Under former systems there has always
been tendency to evade the full and
fair payment of taxes by means of low
assessment. Even where holders of
are willing to bear their due
share of public expenses they strive for
low assessment in self-defence, on the
plea that property elsewhere is assessed
still lower. Such deficient valuation of |
taxable property works injustice to
hose who pay honest taxes under a fair
recommend this:.subject to yonr early
attention as one of the most important
hat can come before you. The const-
;ution has decreed low rate of tax; it
for you to provide that such tax
hall be fairly assessed and fully collec-
ed For this purpose l recommend the
'reation of State Board of Equaliza-
ion, to consist of the Auditor of Public
accounts, the State Treasurer, the Sec.
etary of State, the Attorney General.
md such other members as may be
leemed advisable, empowered and re-
Iuired to adjust and equalize the valua-
ion Of taxable property throughout the
'tate and secure the payment of taxes
lpOn all property rated at it's actual
'alue. The constitution having fixed
low rate of taxation, it becomes vital
y necessary that all taxable property
hould pay its full value.
LICENSE TAXES.
Article 2O6 authorizes the General As
emily to levy license tax on trades,
rOfessions and vocatiOns. To meet the
and pressing demands upon
he State treasury aucl, tav shoull t., |