The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1912-10-20
SHREVEPORT. SUNDAY,
TAX REVISION.

].
A Meeting Of Citizens Held in the
Court House Friday "A Large and
Appreciative Gathering Welcomed
Governor u. =. Hall and Hon.
Theodore Wilkinson.
AT the court house Friday night
there was gathered large crowd of
citizens who welcomed heartily,
Governor 4. E. Hall and Hon. Theo-.
Idore Wilkinson, who with ex-G Gov
Iernor Blanchard presented their
views Of the tax revision plan,
which as an amendment to the Con-
Istitution is to be submitted To the
people at the election on Tuesday,
November 5.
It is needless to say that Governor
Hall argued the question with force
and characteristic persuasion, as did
|ex-G Governor Blanchard and Hon.
Theodore Wilkinson and Hon. Leon
n. Smith, but there were many in
the audience who while giving close
attention to the arguments were not
favorably impressed. AT least the
policy gof taking from the parishes
and the municipalities assessable
values and transferring them 10 the
State did not appeal to them. IA
tabulati0n the assessable valuation
|0f railroads and corporation prop
|erty would seem practicable, but
why should the parishes and the
municipalities be relieved Of these
values?
There are some good features In
the proposed tax revision, but these,
are insufficient and the adoption of
the scheme would aggravate the
conditions existing. "
B The question or issue is too COM
plex and important to be dealt as 4
patchwork. The complain, or rather
the sore spot, must be reached by
"a system that will tend towards
lasting benefits instead of an expect
ed temporary relief.
One of the features most Objec-
tionable is that with the appoint
ment Of three men there would fol-.
low political oligarchy in Louis
lana which would exceed, in its evil
influence the power possessed BY
Governor Sanders.
What the State needs is practical
relief, not disguises which are sim
ply aggrayating, III
It's conceded that the State is in
debt and Is in need Of money, but
the means must be provided bys Al
system hat Nsil arp peal pes-,
pie ana receive e}heir approval.
II is also conc eded that the legal
Sity OF some Of these debts will not
stand the inquiry Of law, but these
debts could be legalized through the
influence of the committee Of three
with Legislature inclined to favor.
such claims.
AS a progressive the Caucasian
has tried to view favorably this pro-
posed tax revision, but the more ii
is considered fairly the stronger is
its opposition.
4 While giving full expression to-
these views we may digress to refer
personally to Hon. Theodore Will
kinsOn, whom the Caucasian had the
honor to support for Governor. Had
he been permitted to assume the of
flce the State would not now be
striving for the relief he would have
attained, but if he was not count
ed out, or il he was not .'0ver
voted by the Bosses Of New Or
leans, he failed in his ambition. IN
stead Of giving to the people relief
as programmed BY Sanders the peo-S
pie have been plunged into a quag-
nire and their further and greater
distress must be avoided BY q de-
feat Of the proposed tax revision.
The State OF Louisiana has been
suffering from many ills, and it has
had to submit to the nostrums OF
politicians without benefit or relief,
but it still survives but its rehabili-
tation must rest On the application
OF its present. needs through a Con-
stitutional Convention.
IN discussing with q friend q few
days since the necessity for d Con
stitutional Convention, he observed
seriously: but such a convention
would displace the Governor from
his four years term Of offlce.''
Not at all. With the almost GER
tainty Of the defeat Of the proposed
tax revision. there must come g.
change, and it will then be incum-
bent on Governor Hall to call a Com
stitutional Convention, but in the
writings there may be stipulated
that Governor Hall shall not be dis
turbed in the holding Of his office
for the full term Of four years.
What the people want is d change,
~ II. 4 yTyl W