The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-02-17
MR.. THOMAS AND
TEE ASSESS ORS

Thomas has addressed the following letter
to the Editor:
Baton Rouge La, February ID, 1917.
Mr.. George Spencer, Editor,
Tau,ah, Louisiana.
Dear Mr.. Spencer:
| notice that your paper has been constantly ham
mering the Board Of State Affairs since it organ
lied and before it has even had time to get down to
the work laid out for it to do and take it, of
that are not to expect any cooperation your part
in solving the problems of the State Government to
which expect to give our best attention
notice in your article of last week you say that
address delivered to the assessors by myself, rs
-esenting the Board, FIJI of nothing
les enclose you copy Of the address in which
ave hlaue eighteen sec' ions numbering each, and
believe that as fay man you cannot say that any of
'neSe sections nothing but patitudes but are
practca Iggestons made to the assessors concerning
of the complaints and problems with which they,
as well as ourselves are confronted We have no OBJ
lection to honest criticism of any work we do but a
fair and just journalist would scorn do less and
ask for nothing more.
With regards beg to remain,
Very truly yours,
l.. f. THOMAS, Chairman.
Accompanying the letter is copy of
the address in full and which has been care
fully read. Only partial report had been
published In the exchanges read by the edi-
tor.
The Journal pleads guilty Of having
done Mr.. Thomas an injustice, inasmuch as
the address is an able presentation of our
tax troubles and contains many suggestion
in the line of improved assessments. The
address could have been strengthened by an
announcement to assessors that the board
would see that they make their lists in some
definite proportion of actual value for state
purposes.
We further admit that through oppoSi-
ton to the organization Of the board OF
affairs we may have been biased towards
the personnel of the board.
--. The policy of the Journal has never
been to oppose the honest efforts Of mer
charged with public duties. On the contrary
the files of this paper will show contempt
for the kickers and reforrlers VINO never fine
anything good in the conduct of those
charged with leadership.
/ One of the principal reasons for opposi
ton to the creation of this board was tina
the existing board, elected by the people
had as much power to reform assessment
as has the new board appointed by tn
governor.
The Journal opposed the creation of tn
state board of affairs because it believed tn
measure autocratic, undemocratic and fillet
with danger if it should fall into the hand
Of a bad administration.
This opinion we will entertain as lonE
as the law stands as part of the constitution
md this belief will not be ffected eve
though the present board proves etfcien
and patriotic.
Another danger that grows out Of tn
state affairs board is the certainty that
viii cause the large inter sts to become ag
gressive in state politics. They nav he heI
to the rack by the present board, but the
will leave no stone unturned that will Civ
them chance to control future elections.
But as the board has been created, W
are now confronted by condition and tn
only thing to do is to.make the best of il
This view suggests that criticism should b
withheld until the board has had an oppol
tunity to show whether OF not it will equa
iZ9 assessments.