St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1910-10-22

woes tnat 0ne-tfth OF a mill shall be
taken from the regular 6-miIl State
tax for the benefit of Confederate
veterans. This is not an increase of
taxation.
Amendment No. 10, Act 257-This
is a desired change in the present
law. It authorizes municipal corpo-
rations, parishes, school districts, ETC.,
to levy and collect 3 mills, and issue
bonds for schools, public improve
ments, etc. The 3 mills must be part
Of the regular 10 mills the law already
authorizes, and it must be done by
an approved vote Of the people. This
does not increase taxation over the
rate police juries are already en-
powered to collect for general pur-
poses.
Amendment No. II, Act 277-Is a
change relative to Supreme Court
Judges, fixing their qualifications,
terms Of office, etc. There is but
slight change. but it will add greatly
to the efficiency of this important
court.
Amendment No. II, Act 179-Is to
exempt from taxation for fifteen
years the capital stock of domestic
steamship companies engaged in for
eign commerce. This exemption will
encourage foreign companies to make
their domicile in the State, and, just
as the ten year exemption Of rail-
roads has brought millions of capital
to Louisiana, it is certain the exemp-
tion of the steamship companies will
bring other millions of dollars here,
which in fifteen years will be added
to assessed values for taxation.
Amendment No. Ii, Act 303-To
authorize the Board of Liquidation to
issue new bonds to retire or refund
the State bonded indebtedness. The
tax heretofore levied to provide in
terest on the $11, 108,3 300 due Jan. |,
1914, to be continued to meet the
amount of the new bonds. This is
no increase Of taxation. To the con.
trary, the State will more likely rear
a benefit by the transaction.
Amendment No. Ia, Act 311-Di
vides the State into thirty Judicia
Districts, and fixes judges salaries a
$4,000, as heretofore, the changes be
ing necessitated by new parishes
J There is but little alteration. Gram
and Rapides parishes still remain al
the 18th Judicial District.
Amendment No. 15-Is an amend
ment to Act No. 2, relative to thC
Exposition. It authorizes the Pana
ma Exposition Company to issue bond
and pledge the proposed tax, provided
it is carried. No additional tax j
proposed, but the tax if carried j
properly safeguarded, and the name,
? Of its use specifically stated. An ad
ditional tax is to be levied exclusivel,
/. in the city Of New Orleans, unde
certain conditions, when the tax levie,
by the first amendment has lapsed
. This is a tax not to exceed III mill
] to pay interest and principal Of bond
if not met by first provision. It re
lates exclusively to New Orleans, an,
assures final payment Of Exposition
!, bonds to be made by that city.
Out Of the fifteen amendments pro
: posed, it will be observed there ar
ONLY TWO that will add anything +
present taxation in the parishes, an,
that is the Exposition tax and til
Q good roads tax, which will add tn
: insignificant amount Of SD Of on.
/, mill to the taxes in the various par
ishes. In other words, the total pro
posed increase will add one-tWenty
7 fourth to our present l5-mill rate 70
: State and parish, and where q ma
now pays $500 tax he will have t
paw So. l2.-Colfax Chronicle.