St. Landry democrat., 1890-02-08
Second Day.

The convention was called to order by
Gen. Egan shortly after 10 o'clock and
remained in session until 10 80 o'clock, at
which hour it adjourned SINE die having
completed its labors,
There were forty parishes represented
when Secretary T. Samboia Jones called
the roll
The report of the committee, which was
composed of Messrs, Steele (Urion), Foster
(Caddo), Glynn (Pointe Coupee), Gilfoil
(Madison), Milssps (Ouachita), Dymond
lPlaquemines). Carruth (Ss. Helens) Rem
shaw (Orleans) and Richard (Calcasieu),
was sent to the speakers desk.
Auditor Steele, in presenting the report
of the committee. said, that they merely
suggested that the facts be laid before the
General Assembly, and that some legisla
ton be enacted 80 as to bring about some
system of equalization Of assessments
Testimony had been head, and it was
shown that in the sugar parishes the as
sessments were based on full values and
In other sections at one-third of the actual
value.
TIE REPORT.
"Whereas, from testimony adduced be-
fore the committee, 1t Is apparent that an
equality of assessment OF property through
out the State does not exist, we suggest
the proprist,y, 81 ef this convention requesting
f6e assessors to comply with the law by
placing the cash value upon all taxable
property, and the polietsl iaries to see that
property is 30 valued st 1ass actual cash
value; and further. that inasmufch as the
Constitution directs that some method OF
equalization of assessments should De
adopted, it is the sense of this committee
that the convention urge upon the mem
bers of the legislature to give the sub
iect matter such attention as will result in
the adoption of a system Of equality and
uniformity in assessments, bas ed upon the
relative value of property in the different
portions of the State"
MINORITY REPORT.
Mr. Martin Glynn, of Pointe Coupee,
sent up the following minority report:
RESOLVED, that whereas it appears from
the testimony taken before the committee
appointed by your honorable body. that
there is some irregularity in the assessing
of property in some of the parishes owing
in great measure to misapprehension
as to the value at which it should be as
sessed:
'sThat the assessors are requested by this
convention to assess property at its cash
value, as the law requires.
e'And that the assessors of the parish of
Orleans be urgently requested to use all
their efforts to End cut the immense
amount of hidden wealth of that city
which is not now On the tax rolls, and
place it thereon.
"Beit further resoZved, That We ask the
kind CO operation of the police juries of
the different parishes, and the Beard of
Reviewers in New Orleans to assist and
support tbs assessors in making fair and
equitable assessment"
Next followed lengthy discussion on
usages The question was
which report should come up first. The
chair thought that ali technicalities should
be laid aside, and both sides advocate
their claims. Mr.. Steele did not expect
the minority report, although the gentle
men had the right to present it. Mr.:
Flynn in the committee dissented from
portion of the report. Mr.. Renshaw said
that Orleans did not pretend to say what
lands in the parishes should be placed at
It did not even pretend to know, and all
he knew of the matter was brought out
In the committee. Not so with Mr.. Glynn
and those who seconded his report: they
not only claimed to know all about their
own affairs, but even more of Orleans than
the seven assessors themselves. The mi
norisy made an unwarranted attack on
New Orleans, and he demanded that if the
report was adopted Mr.. Glynn
should explain the insinuations made, and
furnished the data on which it was based.
Applause.
Mr.. Glynn defended his position. He
asserted positively that immense wealth
is hidden in New Orleans.
Mr.. Gilfoil said that New Orleans need
ded no defense.
Mr.. Renshaw worked hard ON the com
mittee. About the only questions he ask
ed of any parish was what proportion
does the assessed value bear to actual
value? He stated frankly that personal
holdings was hard to reach, and doubtless
of that kind might not be put
down in its entirety. To remedy this hs
had asked at least one delegate who had
souched thereon to furnish all data or