The Opelousas courier., 1893-06-03
Against the Eevee Tax.

A meeting of the citizens OF Morrow
Station, Rosa and Big Cane was held on
May 90, for the purpose, as declared in
the minutes of the meeting, of organic
ing themselves in order to save their
property from confscaton and to rid
themselves of the enormous leyee tax
now trying to he imposed upon them by
the commissioners of the Red River,
Atchafalaya and Bayon Boeuf Levee
District
The preamble and resolutions adopted
read as follows:
Whereas, the tax levied by the Red River.
now imposed, has reached the attitude of con-
fiscation of the property of this Northeastern
st. Landry; asd
Whereas, Citizens now owning swamp lands
that are worthless except for what timber is on
them, and they may not be able to utilize said
timber for or 10 years to come, and the collec-
ton of the levee tax at present rate OF taxation
in addition to State and parish taxes for 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 depriv-
ing the rising generation of the inheritance of
any property left by parents or relatives; and
Whereas, There is a 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
whereas, AGb NO 10 Ul 1SJZy hGt NO.
70 of 1890, authorizes the Board of Levee Com
missioners of the Red River, Atchafalaya and
Bayou BGuf Levee District TO issue Bonds
against our lands to the extent of s250,OO0.O 90
aud by said act executing mortgage against
our lands for above amount; and
Whereas. The statement of Secretary of the
above Levee Board has shown that the re-
venues of saidLevee District are insufficient to
meet the demands made by caying banks, Gre
vases, raising and enlarging and all necessary
expenses to keep up said Leyee District; and
TfTr Torrno nordn fn
issue said bonds to meet expenses of the Levee
District where are we to land and what will our
little land in actual cult walton be worth with
mortgage OF 20 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, If the same proportion OF lands are
sold in future for taxes In this parish, that have
been sold for taxes in the last two years, where
will the revenues of said Red River, Atchafala-
va and Bayou Reuf Levee District come from
therefore be it
Resolved, That we, the people of Morrow
| Station, Rosa, Big Cane and vicinity, in mass
meeting asse19bled, on this the 20th day OF May
1885, do hereby enter our solemn protest against
said iniquitous and unjust taxation, and pledge
ourselves each, individually, to wage continued
| and unrelentlng warfare against said tax until
| this monster sha II have been conquered and
| driven from our borders.
Resolved, further, That we cali upon all citi-
| Gems in this parish, Rapides and Avoyelles par
| ishes respectively, to have mass meetings, or.
| ganize in each ward in each parish, and at some
| future day to have District Convention with,
| in the bounds of the Red River, Atchafalaya
| and Bayou BBuf Levee District
Resolved, further. That the chair appoint the
| following corresponding committee, to-wit: C.
| w. ward, j. A. Boyd, W. c. Fleshman. Willie
| jackson, T. A. Hicks. j. ]. Scott. Capt. L. g
shall be to communicates with parties within
| the bounds of above levee district and arrange
| time and place for holding District Conven
| ton,
| are specially requested to act in concert Will
| us in this move.