The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1907-11-01
SOME FRANK OPEN
SENTIMENTS URGED
Hon. Harry P. Gamble Discusses
Vital Points In the Call for
Extra Session.

WINFIELD, La, October =. 1907.
To the Editor OF The Southern Sentinel.
Dear Sir:
The unexpected call Of the governor for an
extra session of the general assembly, to begin
on the eleventh day of November, leaves little
or for deliberation on mattsrs growing out
thereof.
However, many Of the questions OF reform
have been before the people during the present
campaign, and advocated by candidates for
nearly all the Offices. particularly by candi-
dates for state Offices, and for the legislature.
Hence it might be proper to assume that most
persons who will perform part in the coming
session of the legislature already have definite
ideas along most Of the lines mentioned in the
call. These ideas may not be the same as
those OF the people, and some who differ with
the governor are Of the opinion that IL would
have been just - well to have waited till the
people spoke their will in the coming election
However that may be the call il made. The
legislature win assemble to consider the
objects of the call.
In order that time may be had for considera-
ton, now submit Q proposition, falling upon
the head OF the second paragraph Of the proc
lamation, which hope win be well weighed
by the Legislators before assembling.
The second object OF the extra session, as
designated by the governor, is decreasing the
cost Of collecting and disbursing the revenues
OF the state and its political subdivisions, in
Guiding the cost of assessing property for
purposes of taxation, and to this end and in
connection Herewith, the abolition Of unneces-
sary Offices, and, where necessary to accom-
plish this, to propose amendments to the
constitution"
In commenting on the call, the governor is
quoted rs saying, at is easier to decrease the
cost Of collecting the revenues Of the state and
parishes and the cost Of assessing property
while the people are debating whom they will
put into the ofices relating to these subjects
than it will be after the people have made
choice for four years." Just 50. The governor
is right, no doubt. 1t would appear that now
is the time to get things down to . business
basis. II sny ofices can be abolished without
interfering with the efficiency Of government,
by all means let it be done before the ofnces
rights arise in favor Of the occupant" II the
once - eDonsneo oefofe IL ~ uiieo, uooous
can complAin-very loudly.
So far o. have yet seen in the public prints,
the principal, IL not the. only, ofhces suggested
to be abolished are six tax collector ofhces in
the city Of New Oileans. II has been urged
that the duties performed by the seven col
lectors could be performed by one.
am not informed in this matter and win
await the evidence before Turning over TIE
duties heretofore performed by seven men 70
one man to take care Of. The work IL clerical
for the most part, and IL may be that IL can be
done by . lesser number Of officers than now
employed In the end this matter will be
threshed out along lines Of standard efficiency.
Some hint that there 10 politics in the mat
ter" that there is question Of evening up"
But surely this 10 Islander. The governor Of .
great state would not prostitute the power
entrusted to him by the people for their
welfare, aud make pawn out Of smother. and
co ordinate branch Of the government. 10 play
. political game, or for the sake Of graifyins
i'll will toward half dozen small once holders.
No, undoubtedly, those who would reduce
the number Of tar collectors in the city Of New
Orleans, and who would abolish other on,ces.
and make reductions sn expenditure, propose
the same in good faith and with an eye single
to the interest Of the State.
To these persons in particular, and to all
good citizens, and, - aforesaid, to the mem
bers Of the general assembly, desire 10 submit
the proposition referred to by me in the begin
ming Of this Communication.
Cannot the once Of tax collector and tax a.
sessor, throughout the State, be merged into
one once and be filed BY one person, leaving
to the sheriz only such duties - he now per-
forms, other than collecting taxes. giving TO
each oflcer not too stingy remuneration foi
the service rendered.
Space will not here permit . discussion Of the
question 1t may be said briny. that tax col
lecting IL purely clerical, and for the most
part. % ID tax assessing. One responsible per-
son, assisted by clerks, can do the work. Col
lscting cannot begin until assessment has been
finished, anyhow. Il would mean . continuous
Job. As IL ID now, neither tar assessor nor tar
collector ID busy the year round
II ID safe to say that there would be . saving
70 the tax payers Of the state Of more than one
hundred thousand dollars, possibly upwards
Of two hundred thousand. Now il seems 70
me that here IL . chance for real reformers to
shine. II il true that their lights might here
after be obscured by indignant candidates fo1
the ofices merged. But the true reformer will
look 10 the welfare Of the State, even ct per
sonal cost. He viii not yielc to the natural
temptation to attend in haste to the reforms
needed abroad and 70 those nearer home at
leisure. The idea that IL is safer TO abolish
o6ces in New Orleans than in his own baili-
wick, win and no Judgment in his hrm mind
II IL did-perish the thought
Now let all who believe In reformation,
Wherever the same may be needed. stand
squarely and safely behind the governor, in
the matters, and let Us get al the reforms we
can from the eleven "obj>cts."
THANKING you in advances. dear sir, for pub
lishing this letter, beg 70 inform you that
hsve sent copies to other papess. in order that
il may likely meet the eye OF must Of the menu
bers Of the General Assembly.
Very respectfully,
HARRY p. GAMBLE,
Member Of the House. Parish Of winn-
For Sale at q Bargain
Eighty acres of hill land, we'll
timbered and Is acres improved.