The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1886-06-13
rmE RAILROAD TAX CONSIDERED

Editor Telegraph Taking the om'
cial figures Of the States showing the
difference In rates of State taxation,
which have been shown In the columns
of yours and other Journals OF the
Ouachita Valley to be largely in favor
OF States farihest advanced IN rail-
road developement, It is dtfiicult 10
understand how persistently some
men will oppose their own interests
and those of their neighbors and their
country in their blind opposition 70
the mill tax for the North and South
railroad. 1t is equally puzzltng to
understand how, or to believe that
auy number of Louisiana Legislators
can favor legislation antagonisttc TO
railroad interests and capital, advised,
as they must be, OF the vast impor.
tance OF railroad developement In our
State.
The official figures of States show
that the people of those States lar
thest advanced in railroad develope'
meut nay from 81 90 to $3.50 and $4.OO
State tax on the $1,000 assessed. whilst
we of Louisiana pay $6. 90 and the peo
pie OF other States and Territories, a.
yet uudeveloped by railroads pay as
Imuch, and, in some instances more,
than we do. Taking 80 per cent as .
safe basis, say that when taxation IS
reduced 80 pei cent as In the States
above referred to below ours, there
, must be corresponding cause, and
when we see growing States ana
increased populations, 1t Is not Q
supposable case that decrease In taxas
ton results from decrease in govern'
ment expense. There must be some
other cause. In view Of the fact tha'
States farthest advanced in railroad
developement pay much less tax than
=: those not developed by railroads, II IL
fair 10 conclude that railroads are the
corresponding cause Of the decrease In
taxation, producing, as they do, cor
responding increase Of taxable property
values and the number of tax payer
What the differences In parish apt
county taxes, are, the writer has no
ascertained, but 1t is safe to conclude
that there is difference-except II
cases of special tsxation--as the Nort'
and South railroad alone may no
materially affect State taxes, willis
others in addition to 1t would hav
some effect, as is the case In othe
States. We will ignore the question
of State taxes and consider the effect G
the increase by the North and Sout
: road en- parish taxes: Add mills t
our present 10 mills and we have !
mills. increase in taxable property
values, etc, so per cent, as above, an
we can reduce our taxation 80 per Ger
or to u mills, instead of 10 as now. a
the end of ten years tho 5 mills ta
ceases and our tax is brought back
j. 10 mills. but, we still have the 30 p'
cent increase, from the North an
South railroad and can still decrea
our taxation 80 per cent, reducing 1t
5 mills instead of 10 mills as now al
we shall still have the North al
- Sonth railroad with Its enOrmo
in advantages in other respects-such
= reductions In freight charges; develo
n mcnt of other resources-now ID
Y capital-as we'll as enabling our peoE
y to make enormous savings on their c.
~ ton and the necessaries of life. AS
time is approaching for our people
act upon the North South railro
proposition, it behooves them to g
the matter calm and earnest conside
ton and not permit prejudice
extravagant, unfounded Ideas OF ta'
tion to sway them in their actions
the stupendous mistake of opposing
S mills tax, and not deceive themsel
with the idea that they are going
get the North and South railr'
whether they do anything or not,
they will not get it unless they '
the tax and do all else they
Remember that others are WORE
and Offering inducements TO secure
North and South road.
an PRESS ASSOCIATION.
cts