The St. Mary banner., 1904-06-18
TAKING A RECORD.

During the past week our dis
tinguished young Senator from St.
Mary, Mr.. W. T. Peterman, has
| introduced two highly meritorious
bills into his branch Of the General
! Assembly. The first measure re-
lates to taxation in towns and
cities, exempting them from the
payment of parochial taxes. We
believe this to be the correct
purpose of the bill. In past years
the residents and property-holders
of the towns and cities have
voluntarily imposed special taxes
on themselves for a multiplicity OF
much needed improvements, in the
enjoyment of which the rural in
habitants largely participate in
most cases. Notably is this so in
matters educational. Here in
Franklin we are advocating sub
stantial improvements in this most
important direction and a further
special taxation will have to be
resorted to accomplish the purposes
desired. In view of these special
taxes which cerd to increase the
wealth of the State and to enhance
the comfort and veal Of the people.
we believe Senator Pcterman's bill
to be an excellent one and hope it
will be successful.
The last measure proposed by
the rising young solon relates to
sheriffs and ex-of1icio tax COL
lectors, which is as follows:
No.--An act to amend aud re-enact
sections ; and ) of Act No. 81 OF the
General Assembly of the state OF
Louisiana, approved March %, 1850.
relative to SheriffS, eX-OfficiO tax col
lectors. and to the bonds to be furnish
ed by them (the Parish of Orleans ex-
cepted.)
Section l. Be it enacted by the Cen
eral Assembly v of the State of Louisiana.
That section 3Of Act No. 81 ofthe Cen
eral Assembly of the State of Louisi-
ana. approved March %, 1880, entitled
IAN act relative to sherifTs, ex-oificio
tax collectors, and to the bonds to be
furnished by them (the Parish of Or
leans excepted" as follows, viz:
That as ex-otiicio tax collectors OF
State and parish taxes the sheriffs OF
the several parishes of the State (the
Parish of Orleans excepted) shall each,
before commencing the discharge OF
their duties, give bond with at least
two good and solvent snreties for
their term of Office in sum which
shall be 81, 900 over the full amount of
the State and parish taxes levied ac-
cording TO the last filed assessment
roll of the parish: provided, that in
no parish shall the bond exceed $780,
600; said bonds to be given by ex-Otficio
tax collectors of State and parish taxes
shall be conditioned for the faithful
performance of their duties in said
capacity and for the just and full pay
ment into the State and parish treas
uries of all sums OF money that may
come into their possession as tax col
lectors aforesaid: and the principal
and sureties on said bonds shall be
bond in sOlido for the full amount
thereof"
Sec. 2. Be it futher enacted, etc, etc. !.
That section of said Act No. SO of the
| General Assembly of the State of
Louisiana, approved March %, 1880,
be amended and re-enacted so as to
read as follows: "Section 5. Be it
further, enacted etc., That this act
| shall take effect on and after the lst
day of June, 1908; and that the sheritfs
and ex-Officio tax collectors of State
and parish taxes (the Parish of Orleans
excepteD shall give bond and security
in accordance with the provisions of
this act. within thirty dayS from the
said lst day of June, 1908, in default
OF which the office shall be vacant ipsO
facto, and the Governor shall appoint
for the remainder of the term
Sec. 3. Be 1t further enacted, ETC..
Thatall laws or parts OF laws incOnsist-
ent or in conflict with the proisions OF
this act, and especially section 3 and 5
of Act No. 81 of the General Assembly
of the State of Louisiana, approved
March %, 1880, be and the same are
hereby repealed. +,
In substance, the above law aims
to place these fiscal and fiducial
officers under bonds exceeding by
ST 900 all amounts collectable dur
ing any quarter or term. Such
law, settlements being promptly
exacted by the State authorities,
would render defalcations entirely
impossible. This bill is also an
excellent measure and we have no
doubt that it will receive the final
sanction of the Lawmakers. We
congratulate Senator Peterman
upon his we'll directed efforts.