The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1893-09-02
Then and Now.

The government Of Louisiana is be-
ing harnonionsly run on six mills, but
the assessments have been raised in the
aggregate to the rate Of twenty million
dnllats for this year which gives the
goserument nearly 81 100000 addition
al money with which to keep her
afloat in excess of the amount the pre-
decessors of the present executive had
in order TO maintain it.
Some of our brethren Of the State
press have swelled up with the idea
that they were tho discoverers of the
fact that Governor Foster is running
the government on the regulation six
mill tax, and strut up and down with
the Importance Of spring rooster, but
all the people cannot be fooled all the
time. One need only go back to the
records Of years gone by to see that in
order to make promises good to the
ear, but not in spirit, the assessments
nave been nearly doubled, which in
itself means twelve mill tax, if the
present can be compared to the past.
1t makes no difference how those OBJ
legations to the governments are plaster
ed on-if the assessment is. increased,
or the additional rate directly attach
ed, there is no difference-it is virtual
ly and emphatically an increase of tax
alton.
All during the campaign it was
screamed in thunderous tones "The
people are taxed enough already, and
those who must contribute to the sup
port of tho government are ground
beneath the iron heel of oppressive
rates of taxation. Give us the offices
and We will save the state" Well, 1t
IL saved. 1t was saved before, but the
assessments were not sent skyward in
order to raise money which was claimed
TO have been in the state Treasury, but
was only in the vaults on paper. Some
time afterwards the state taxes COM
menced to pass into the hands of the
treasurer--a certain proportion of
which must go to the credit of the
interest fund. and 100000 is
said to have accumulated, which the
| board of liquidation of the state debt
proposed to apply to the purchase of
state bonds which have matured, there
by making it appear that o movement
was being incubated to reduce the state
debt. THIS latest move on the checker
board seems to have been headed of
by State Treasurer Picket, who is not
SO much of a scab as some folks took
him to be, has given it out that be
would not pay out the public money for
auy such purpose, and says that the
proposition would not advance the
States credit one particle, SO long as
there is upwards of 90 100000 worth OF
other claims against the government
nor provided for"
| Take this as Il basis for a true con.
dition, and Treasurer Picket is in q
position To know, the scheme smells al
though it had been highly favored with
the sauce of political effect. Then
some more of our state papers who did
not see the bug under the chip" start
ed another strut, and praised the au'
thorities at Baton Rouge for being
sound and high-strung officials. But il
eventually comes 10 pass that there are
$2,O0O,0 900 in claims against the state
government unprovided for, while only
S40O, 200 aIe in the treasury which can
not be used for any purpose other thai
to pay tue interest on the bondet
debt until the constitution, which pro
vided for certain purpose, changes 81
as to empower the legislature to ap
propriate 1t to such purposes as it ma.
SEQ fit. Mr.. Pickett further says tina
the law as it now stands, does not em
power him to hand out the money 70
any such purpose, aud he will not dis
gorge the treasury of the accumulated
interest fund, unless forced to do SO b,
order of court, and it is reasonable t
suppose that the necessary order t
force it out will not be forthcoming.
The people of this state, who hav
been humbugged repeatedly of late
will hear of another political cyclon
on the horizon of Louisiana, which vii
eventually waste it's force around i
blank places, if they will keep thei
ears open, "say nothing and sa'
wood"
The field is open for another attemp
! at political legerdemain, but the me-
gicians must move in a mysteriou
way or the argus-eyed citizen will Sc
through the plays as if they were mis-
in the air. Next-Attakapa Wind
Gator
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