The Morehouse clarion., 1881-03-25


from adding up the columns on the
said tax rolls which purport to
give the amount Of taxable land in
the parish.
Third That deducting one from
the other shows that not quite two
fifths of the land n,the parish is
placed ON the roll.
These are the distinct facts.
stated, and as it is also well
known fact that the greater portion
of this omitted land has at one time.
or another been entered by private
parties, and has not reverted to the
State, it follows that the assess
ment Of land in this parish is de-
fective.
That these lands are not down on
the assessment rolls of previous
wears is no excuse, but an addi-
fional reason why they should be
speedily placed thereon.
The statement that ssmuch of it
has reverted to the state is not
strictly true. There have been
some sales by tax collectors but in
no one of these sales have all the
requirements of law been complied
with, and the original owners can at
any time hereafter revive their til
-. 4.
ties by payment of three years back
taxes. They will do this if by
building of leyees or railroads, or
other cause, the lands should ever
come in demand.
These are the main facts in the
case; and as a taxpayer ] have a
right to complain of this imperfect
assessment, and the admission that
it has existed for some years is no
palliation. To make any tax just
or legal all taxable property must
be listed. And when that is done
the necessary revenue for the pub
lie service can be raised by much
lower RATE than when the assess
ment is only partial. In this way,
and in this way only, can the indi-
vidual taxes be made lighter, and
my motive in calling public atten-
ton to this matter need not be
sought for in any of the tortuous
imaginings, or vague theories OF the
learned assessor, but may be found
in the simple fact that | desire to
lessen my taxes.
The natural inference OF SO large
an omission in the matter OF lands
from the tax roll is, that other pro-
perry has also been omitted. But
I should not probably have men
toned this IL number of instances
| had not come within my persona
| knowledge Of omissions OF persona
| property.
H. snla alsa informed By the Ia
| collector that several omissions d
valuable plantations have come g
his knowledge.
/ These are simple matters or 1ac'
and show carelessness or ineompe'
tence on the part OF 2 very mpor'
tant public officer.
If tins officer will, as the law d
4 reefs, ION and after the first o
january diligently examine thu
ssreeords in the Office of MoRTGAGE'
AND coNyEYAScEs AND THE Alb
sssTRAcT or LAND ENTRIES, and shal
ssoTHERwIsE make faithful and dill
nligent inquiry to ascertain wha
taxable property il. his district O
ssparish belongs to residents, and t
ssabsent owners, AND TO UNKNoW'
lassowNERs'' he will find ample proc
that the assessments Of forme
wears were defective, and he vii
| also find that he viii have, as h
will then deserve to have, the com
mendation Of the entire community
But il he attemps to excuse III
failure By showing that some other
4 failed to do their full duty also; Q
4 to stand idle three months OF tn
year because the Auditor has NO
1 sent him blanks, when the Clariol
q viii doubtless furnish him with q
the blank tax-lists he needs for fiy
dollars, and then lay the blame OF
hurried and careless performanc
OF his duty to 9 want OF time, b
will not be regarded by the publ
as either energetic or competent.
His uncalled for personal sling
At me are simply contemplate an
s beneath my notice. They were u
vented for the purpose Of calm
the attention Of the public ava
from his failure as q public Office
Il to perform bis duties, but / yer
much mistake the good people {
Morehouse if they are blinded
single moment BY such chaff.
III conclusion / have only to 50
that / do not desire, and will NJ
he drawn into any newspaper col
troversy Of q personal nature.
have only answered Mr.. Brigham
letter at all, because he unbecon