St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-06-03
Against the Levee Tax.


Station, Rosa and Big Cane was held OF
May 20, for the purpose, as declared il
the minutes of the meeting, of organiz
ing themselves in order to save thci
themselves of "the enormous leyee tal
now trying to be imposed upon them by
| the commissioners OF the Red River
Atchafalaya and Bayou Bpuf Lcyet
DISTRICT
When two years ago some OF oul
friends of that section were passing res
| olutions against the Lottery Company
which sounded strangely like those
adopted at this meeting, we told them
that if the despised "lottery gold'' was
not accepted they would be heavily tax
ed. Our words have come true. But
as we were willing to help them then
we are willing to help them now, and
agreeably to their request we cheer
fully reprint gratis the preamble and
resolutions adopted 10y the meeting,
which were transmitted to us through
the lob printer here who was doubtless
paid for printing them in the shape of
circulars headed "Organizing Against
the Levee Tax They read as follows:
Whereas the tax levied by the Red River,
Atchafalaya and Bayou Bmuf Levee Board, as
now imposed, has reached the attitude OF con-
tiscation of the property OF this Northeastern
st. Landry; ana
Whereas, Citizens now owning swamp lands
that are worthless except for what timber is on
them, and they may not he able to utilize said
timber for or 10 years to come, and the collec-
tiOn OF the levee tax ut present rate OF taxation
in addition to State and parish taxes for a pc
riod OF ten years will more than equal the pur-
chase price OF some OF said lands, thereby rem
dering it impossible for the present owners to
retain possession of their land, and also lepriy-
ing the rising generation OF the Inheritance of
any property left by parents or relatives; aud
Whereas, There is d small proportion of the
lands of Northeastern st. Landry that is sub
ject to overflow, thereby operating a burden
some tax upon citizens who derive no benefit
whatever therefrom and a.
Whereas, Act No. 46 of 1892, amending Act No
70 of 1890, authorizes the Board OF Levee Com
missoners of the Red River, Atchafalaya aud
Bayou Bnut Leyee District to issue Bonds
against our lands TO the extent of s250000.00
and by said act executing a mortgage against
our lands for above amount; and
Whereas, The statement of Secretary of the
above Lcvee Board has shown that the re-
venues of said I.evee District arc insufficient to
meet the demands made by caYing banks, ere
vases, raising and enlarSing ana all necessary
expenses to keep up said Levec District and
Whereas, If said Levee Board continues to
issue said bonds to meet expenses of tie Levee
District where are we to land and what will our
little land in actual cultivation be worth with
mortgage of 90 years against us ! And we see
several thousand acres OF land sold almost
every week by the Tax Collector on account of
the parties not being able to pay taxes and
Whereas II the same proportion of lands are
sold in future for taxes Ill this parish that have
been sold for taxes in the last two years, where !
ya and Bayou Rgpf Levee District come from! |
therefore be it
Resolved, That we, the people Of Morrow !
Station, Rosa, Big Cane and vicinity, in mass !
Meeting assembled, on this the Goth day of May !
1913, do hereby enter our solemn protest against /
ad iniquitous and unjust taxation, and pledge |
ourselves each, individually, to wage continued |
md unrelentlng warfare against said tax until !
his monster Sha Ii have been conquered ard |
lriyen from our borders. !
Resolved, further, That we call upon all clti- |
ems in this parish, Rapides and Ayoyelles par
shes, respectively, to lage mass meetings, or
aniZe i'll each ward in each parish and at some
uture day to have District Convention with
q the bounds of the Red River, Atchataaya
nd Bayou Bpuf Levee District.
Resolved, further. That the chair appoint the
Glowing corresponding committee, to-wit; c.
v Ward, j. A, Boyd, W. c. Fleshman, Willie
ackson, T. A. Hicks, J. j. Scott, Cant. l.. S,
Iavard and DR.. A. L. Arnol1, whose duty it
lall be to communicate with parties within |
he bounds of above leyee district and arrange
me and place for holding District Conven- +.
on.
Resolved, further. That the Farmers Union
re specially requested to act in concert with
s in this move.