Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-12-03
1 STATE BoARD o. KoUALIxA.
TION.

Various are the remedies suggested
for curing the defects said to exist in
the present mode Of assessing prop
erty subject to taxation.
Among these plans the one
which is being urged by the N. O..
Democrat, is likely to find a strong |
support before the Legislature which
is to assemble in Extra Session, att
New Orleans, on Monday next.
The Democrats plan is to have
a State Board Of Equalization, that
will classify lands all over the State,
whether under cultivation or not.
Hence, all lands capable Of producing
SO much cotton or sugar, would be
assessed at a certain figure, by a
Board that would be totally ignorant
of the situation of affairs iii each To-
cality.
The Democrats plan would have
the effect of forcing proprietors to
cultivate their productive acres, else
to sell them for what they would
bring.
The difficulties which surround our
planters and farmers in certain To-
calities would not be at all consid-
cred.
| The scarcity of labor, the want OF
capital, the remoteness from market,
the difficulties of transportation, all
these impediments would be ignored.
We cannot for moment give our
support to so arbitrary plan, which
puts as it were the knife to the throat
of our agricultural population.
The Board would tell tile owners
that their lands are capable OF pro-
ducing SO much per acre and if they
don't bring that ont, it is their fault
and they must pay the same as the
man who has plenty Of capital, plenty
of labor and easy transportation to
market for his products.
A State Board of Equalization
would occupy towards the tax payer
very much the same relation shat the
old Returning Board did towards the
voter.
| We oppose the plan, because 1t Ii
merciless, and because it is violativt
of the principle of local self govern
ment, and is in consequence, de-
cided step towards a Capitalization
. Of powers.
After condemning the plan describ
ed in the above,iwe feel in duty boun'
to offer substitute therefor, an
here it is:
Parochial and municipal cavern
mepts are as greatly interested /
Q this matter of assessments as is til
State government.
Have they not their roads al
= schools to maintain; their expense
:, for criminal prosecutions, etc.y va
"a the police juries, therefore, allow III
der assessments to be made it thu
have it in their power to prove
' such?
1t must be admitted that the
= bodies cannot afford to do it.
If Why not then extend the powe
ty of police juries by providing that t
40 assessors submit their rolls by ware
lie for examination and approval
IN these bodies, in which every porti
lis of parish has its representatl'
who can give an accurate descriptl
W. of the situation of affairs in his neil
IN borhood?
he ia property holder has been o
a assessed he could thus appeal to
me police jury Of his parish to corr
inc the error. IT on the other hand
'ne officer has assessed property bel
~ " it's fair valuation, then where col
~ be found an authority more com
sm tent to raise the assessment than t
same police jury?
Our New Orleans friends are pr
"" ' to look at things in the country II
W their far off stand point. With M
Wv Of them the jungle begins after p'
ont ing beyond the city limits, so
nh they are almost in the dark conce
~ ~ 10 +ha condition IF affaire in the