The Natchitoches enterprise., 1912-10-17
THURSDAY OCTOBER ~. 1912

THURSDAY OCTOBER ~. 1919
''The proposed plan of taxation
IS in the interest of the masses OF
''the people,"
Gov. L. E. HALL.
THE sources of income of State
and local communities should be
segregated"
Ex-Gov. j. Y. SANDERS.
Il am heartily, unreservedly
and enthusiastically in favor OF
the proposed tax amendments. "
Ex-Gov. N. C. BLANCHARD.
''There is pressing need for re-
form in our antiquated system OF
taxation under which the burden
of taxation bears down most heav-
ily on those least able to endure it..
l favor the segregation of State
and local taxation and believe it
would conduce to a juster and
fairer distribution of the tax bur-
dens."
Hon. JOHN T. MICHEL.
A startling condition of Unjust
Ice and inequality prevails in mat
tiers of taxation. l believe that
the segregation of sources of
State and local revenue is the only
remedy. The plan would mean
Home Rule for the parishes In the
domain of taxation"
DIR. JAMES b. AswELL.
The segregation plan of tax
alton is the best thing ever pro.
posed in the State of Louisiana. .
Hon. THEODORE 5. WILKINSON.
Natchltoches La,
Oct. s, 1912.
To the Editor of the Natchitoches
Enterprise:
/ hope the voters will study the
tax amendments to be voted on
next month. If so, / am sure they
will be adopted despite the oppo-
sitlon of the big special interests.
The general interests of the state
are thoroughly safeguarded. The
gaEantSne pfDIig at6 5niFsafSr
crate veterans, and the public
schools are in all cases fully equal
to and IN some larger than the
provision made by the present sys-
tenn.
Present exemptions from tax
alton are not interfered with.
Besides these merely conserv-
alive provisions, the amendments
contain others constituting great
Improvements over the present
system. Amongst these improve
ments are:
First: Production OF a million
dollars or oyer per year from sour
ces of revenue hitherto untaxed.
Second: Cheapening Of the
cost Of assessing and collecting
state taxes
Third: Granting the legisla-
lure power to classify property
Tor taxation, thus permitting re-
adjustments to relieve the over
taxed and reach the undertaxed,
and also the raising. without OPP
pressing any interest, of larger
revenues for the states educational
and charitable institutions.
Fourth: Total cure Of the pres
ent injustice arising from assess
ment by some parishes at high and
others at low rate.
Under the present system the |
taxpayers of some parishes pay
more tnan twice their fair share
of state taxes as compared with |
taxpayers OF other parishes.
Under the proposed segregation
of sources. no parish will be in
terested in the assessment of any
other parish.
Natchitoches will be q large
gamer by this, her assessment
rate being higher than that of the
average parish.
Taxes may be reduced without
reducing the parish revenue. IF
taxes remain the same, larger rev.
enues will be produced for parish
purposes.
Fifth: Cure to q large extent
of the injustice arising from I'M
equal assessments as between diff
ferent citizens of the same parish. 4
Under the present law assessments
are arranged alphabetically and it
IS not practicable to compare as
sessments of similar properties
with each other. Great Unequal
ties exist due sometimes to favor
tism but more often to mere care {
essness. inadyertence, or INSULT
Gent examination Of property.
The new system provides for a
geographical arrangement Of as
easements, so that property adj
dining on the ground will adioin '
IN the record. 1t provides, also, i
or separate valuations of lands
md Improvements and for publ !
alton in pamphlet form Of the
ecord showing the geographical .
arrangement. y
Under this plan discriminating ],
ssessments could not be made, Or
they we're the party suffering !,
rnrlId snnn ASCERTAIN Il md 81 q q