The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1881-11-05
TAX oONsUMERs' CONVENTION.

TAX CONSUMERS CONVENTION.
Viewed in the light of q past event
and judged by the evident animus Of its
proceedings, that was singular conven-
ton which assembled in New Orleans
two weeks ago. We had understood the
object Of the consultation of the Assess
sors and Sheriffs of the State to be the
suggestion Of such alterations in the row.
enue laws as would insure more equi-
table and efficient system of assessing
and collecting taxes, but the assembled
solons appear for the most part to have
become imbued with the idea that their
sole province was to devise ways and
means Of increasing assessments and
wringing moro money from the suAering
tax payer without even according him >
voice in his own behalf.
Tho tax gatherers mistook their mis-
sion and assumed the powers Of body
with authority to represent the people.
The Tax Assessor and Tax Collector filled
the seats Of the convention, but where
were the representatives of those who
pay the taxesi Office holders pecuniarily
interested in increasing the burdens OF
the tax payer were there in battle array,
but those who bear these burdens were
conspicuously absent-their attendance
was neither asked or desired.
The most numerous class present were
the Assessors, appointees Of the Cover
nor, who are not as yet confirmed by the
State Senate. What popular sentiment,
what interest did these executive noml-
nees represent, unless it be their commits
sions upon increased taxation
If Governor Warmoth or Governor Kol-
logg mad convoked their own appointces
to recommend more rigid taxation, what
would. have been said by the Democracy,
whose Governor, State Treasurer aud
State Auditor take part: with apparent
approval, in q convention composed only
of tax consumers and collectors engaged
in an attempt to augment and render
more oppressive the burdens Of the tax
payerf
And, underlying this assault upon rev.
enue laws which have been in tho main
satisfactory when efficiently admins
tered, appears the shadow Of that gigan'
tic master Of the people known as State
Board of Equalization, which it seems te
be the purpose of tho Democratic State
Administration to materialize and endow
with life and vigor. As Republican
we might hope that the Democrats viii
abandon tho local right of assessment
and create Boards of Equalization
whether called State, district or paro
ohisl, but all appointed by the executive
authority, for we feel and know tina
the tax paying people of the State woult
overturn any party venturing to vest il
executive hands the dangerous power 0
dooCooIAOnGo UuU 10 q oAuO0io WOAA \" A0u0
of the State We deplore q policy whicl
| we deem destructive of its best interests
The constitutional limit of taxation
must be adhered to, and the attempt t
force up assessments beyond a just valu
by means of Executive Boards Of Equal
cation 10 simply an effort to escspo thi
limit and enforce . rate Of taxation
greater than the people aasentsd to whe'
they ordained the present constitution.
If the issue be made, we have no fea
but that the people, upon the first oppor
tunity, will repudiate tho State Board o
Equalization and the party that estab
lished it.