The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-08-17
NUMBER n 2

| 1e0V. HALL FAV0Rs TAX REFORM
Strong Endorsement OF the TAX Com.
missions Work In Executive
Message to the General Assem-
bly,.
/ In no uncertain terms Gov. Hall
mas expressed to the general as
Isembly Of Louisiana his Endorsement
and approval Of the plan evolved by
the tax commission for effecting
radical reform In the system of tax
alton prevalent in this state. At
late hour last Monday night the re-
port of the commission, Just COM
pleted, was transmitted to both
houses of the assembly, convened In
extra session, accompanied by the
following gubernatorial message:
You are now convened in extra
ordinary session for the purpose of
rendering. to the state of Louisiana
the most important service that the
people have received from the legis-#
|latiye department since the great con-
troversy growing out of the effort to
recharter the Louisiana State Lot
terry twenty years ago. The general
scope OF this service was epitomized
In the proclamation under the au-
thorlty of which you are convened,
and may be quoted as follows:
The formulation and submission
of an amendment or amendments to
the constitution, remodeling and res
organizing the states system of as
sessment and taxation
The tax commission, created by
act No. 10 of the regular session re-
Gently adjourned, has just closed its
important labors, and 1t is the result
of their wise action formulating
amendments to the constitution that
you are called upon to consider.
That commission was the off
spring Of your initiative and wisdom,
and was created by you for the pur
pose of suggesting for your authori-
tatiVe action thereon such measures
as are necessary to reform our pres
.ent system of assessment and tax
alton, which has been found not on
1y unfair to the people of moderate
means, who are bearing an unjust
proportion Of taxation, but wholly in
adequate to the increasing needs OF
the state.
In this connection do not deem
1t out of place to congratulate your
honorable body and the whole pao-
.Ileszo oF Tie state afia sinol
the great ssss4 q
that commission has disasarged -. al3
duty. There was exhibited from the
very moment Of Its initial session d
commendable spirit of harmony and
unity, without which no satisfactory
results were to be achieved. Their
work is before you in its completed
form, and desire earnestly to urge
upon you the Importance of the same
harmony, the same patriotism and
the same self-abnegation that have
the spirit, purpose and
action of that great body and OF it's
individual members
The public considerations which
led to the creation of the tax com
mission are well known to you. 1t
is known to you that you utterly fail
ed to find public funds sufficient for
the adequate care of the public In
stitutions OF the state. You know
that the eleemosynary institutions III
particular and the school interests
have not been adequately provided
for, and it has not been within your
power under the existing laws Of as
sessment and taxation to make pro-
vision for these purposes even ap-
adequacy.
This is true, Notwithstanding the
act that the common forms of prop
srty subject to taxation for the state
are bearing as large a burden as 1t
IS possible for them to bear consist
entity with conditions of prosperity
It may not be within your power
o lessen these burdens, but a way
las been found to increase the reve-
1ortanee by writing into the consti.
.ntion such provision as will enable
tel to reach, for purposes Of taxa
ion, property not OF the common
orms which has heretofore escaped
ts just proportion OF the burden OF
government.
The people OF Louisiana look to
-ou, with confidence born Of the
plendid work done by your constit-
tent bodies at the late regular ses-
ion, to provide for your state a rev
'nue system conceived and execu-
ed along lines approved by the very
,est thought and most successful ex-
,erfmentation of the whole country.
Z hope It is not deemed necessary
or me to add that cordially share
n this confidence. Respectfully,
e. e. HALL, Governor
When quality and nriea are the