The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1916-10-28

everyone will heartily support this
much-needed amendment, which is
in the interest Of economy and sound
finance.
Amendment No. II places officials
upon a salary basis and if defeated
the state and parishes will continue to
paw the exorbitant fees that were so
much complained of in the recent
campaign. Governor Peasants ad-
ministration is trying to redeem the
pledges made the people In that cam
naign and one of them is that Off
eials be placed on salary basis. An
insidious effort may be made in GER
tain quarters to defeat this reform,
but without it's adoption the legisla-
ton carrying it into effect falls with
it and you will have no relief for
long time to come. Do not fail to
vote for amendment No. IL.
Amendment No. IL is the one
abolishing the state board of ap-
praisement and also the state board
of equalization and in lieu thereof
creating the state board Of affairs.
The cost Of this new board will be
very little more than the two old
boards which are abolished. This
is the measure which certain spe-
cial interests, political and other
wise, are sharpening their knives to
kill and are endeavoring to becloud
the issue and befuddle the minds
of the people. By this amendment
and the enabling act carrying 1t m
to effect, the present state admin
istration seeks to give the people
the reform demanded in the equal
ization of taxes. Under the pres
ant system the state valuation and
that of the parishes and cities must
be the same. The effect of this has
been that gross Inequalities ex-
| ist all over the state in assessments.
because in some parishes and
municipalities the local taxes are SO
high for roads, schools. streets and
other purposes that If their assess
ments were put on the basis of other
I parishes that have no such high local
1 rates, it would amount to almost con-
hscation. This amendment proposes
/ TO unite the valuation OF property for
state purposes from the valuation for
parish and local purposes. It does not
| change the situation SO far as the as
SCISSOR is concerned II his election O.
4 duties toWard the parishsor town, only
Ihe cannot assess properly Tor les
THAN IS per cent Of the value Of the
| property, which is surely low enougf
to satisfy the most penurious "tigh
Iwad." In this way if the state boart
proceeds to equalize the values IN tn
parishes for state purposes 1t Will no
affect your local assessment IN Tn
least, nor will it increase taxation
The present status is not disturbed
y for enc do not believe we need 7
E raise more taxes on the people for tn
state government If we have tn
right kind of economy practlced !
our various institutions, we can ge
along satisfactorily, though perhar
not as elegantly and sumptuously a
some states that have no bonded deb
However, equalization can be brougf
: about in this way without IN the leas
! increasing the burdens upon the pee
q ple who are already paying all the ta'
I as they should. The state board
$ affairs will investigate the actu;
J, needs of each state institution lon
: before the legislature convenes an
: fix it's allotments upon business 81
sis. and there will be no log rolling fc
appropriations at the legislature an
+ no general appropriation bill excee'
: ing the revenues.
Demand has been made that v
l. place our affairs on a budget basl
and this is the way to do it. Cove
$ nor Pleasant is trying to redeem u
q pledge MADE the people in regard
d reforming our assessment system, al
Ie this workable plan has been subm
y ted for your thoughtful conslderatl'
le and should receive your endorsemel
q, / do not propose to criticize the NJ
d tiyes of those who expect to fight Il
1T amendment, but would only ask y
to see who they are, and how tn
n stand toward the present Democra
Il, administration that is trying to ma
ne good and then draw your own conc
~ sions.
ey Amendment No. 13 affects New
Sc leans alone and provides for the bui
Mt ing of a sea-wall and good road ale
Lake Pontchartrain. believe Il
n this could have been done by LEI
le- lative act and that the anendn
u was not altogether necessary. ~
MS ever, we should support this lnapro
)e- ment