St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-11-16
Governors Message.

the Legislature goes thorough
into the questions at issue, AM
whatever may have been his mo
tive for putting off until now tina
which could have been accom-
pIlshed earlier, be has completed,
illustrated the necessity for tb
reforms mentioned. He has fur
nished data that shows conclusivel'
that the collection of taxes in mos
of the parishes is costing the Stat'
far In excess of what it should, anc
more than the same service Is cost
ing any other State in the Union
Lieut.. Gov Sanders address, al
President of the Senate, brings
forward for consideration the ad-
visibility of taking up at specla
session matters that should be
deliberately and carefully acted
upon. While he will exert himself
to the utmost to secure such legls-
lation as is desired, it becomes
evident that it will be difficult to
enact laws that will stand the test
and cover the desired ground with
out the due deIlberation and dis.
cusslon that the limited time of a
special session will not allow; and
it may later on appear that it would
have been better had such laws
been enacted at the regular session,
after thorough discussion and IN
vestlgation.
Governor Blanchard points out
that the Collector of CaIcasleu
parish has received In tax com.
missions alone the sum Of 500, 900
a year, and asserts that the $780,
600 gong yearly to sherlffs and
tax collectors should be cut down
at least one.half.
1t costs the state of New Jersey
$45, 900 to assess and collect S.
and 1t costs Louisiana
over $275,ooo to assess and COL
lect 81, 100000.
The following percentages are
paid for the collection of taxes in
Louisiana: Orleans parish, First
District, 2 per cent; Second Dis
trict, 4 per cent; Third District, 5
per cent; Fourth District, per
sent; Fifth District, Z per cent;
Sixth District 5 per cent; Seventh
District, 5 per cent; country par
shes 5 per cent. ..-.
FAX collectors of Caddo and Cab
'asleu parishes and Orleans dis
riots Nos. l and 2 received COM
MISSIONS in excess of $4,000; col
ectors IN twenty two parishes less
han $4,000, and collectors IN
hlrtY nine parishes less than $751;
700. st. Tammany parish is placed |
It So, 906.37 from which should be |
deducted 3 per cent tor erroneous
assessments and delinquents, and |
'dded TOT licenses for 1906, which
re not included.
The SherIff's fees ID this parish
10 not appear exorbltant when we
onslder the expense he is under,
nd it is probable that in parishes
1hlch, have no greater perqulsites
ttached to the Office than st. Tam
lanY the sheriffs' incomes will not
e greatly reduced, even If put on
salary.
Attention is also called to the
act that the treasurer of the Po-
ce Jury of each parish is ex-offi-
10 treasurer of the School Board,
nd for disburslng the school
lnds receives throughout the State
early more than s25, 900. 1t Is
1vlsed that tie School Boards be
wen power TO deposit this money
bank at interest and have the :
ank act as treasurer.
Assessors also come in for their
lare in the movement for retrench.
ent. Ii
4
1t is advised that whenever prac,
cal officials should be salarIed, j;
ID especial mention is made OF {
e abnormal proportions that the |
larry of the Secretary OF State has
ached, and it is recommended
at all fees be covered into the
except sum sufficient to .
IKE up fair salary. !
1t is also pointed ont that the 6
losses by defaulting off. 9
lis Indicate that their bonds
mid he increased. travcIinu