The St. Mary banner., 1921-03-26

followed q lengthy DEBATE. NJ bUl1S
sal dths convention would have plen-
ty OF time at its disposal while await
ing the appointment Of acommfttees
and pointed out that his resolution
provided that the addresses should BE-
delivered during the recess periods.
Rural sections OF the state are b.
ing heard from IN opposition to the
plan to abolish Justices OF the peace
and ward constables. Members OF
the Constitutional Convention recetv-
ed a memorial from 200 Justices OF
the peace and constables protesting
against the passage Of any ordinance
that would have the effect OF abolish.
ing those offices. Many Of the dele
gates received personal letters from
country citizens strenuously objecting
to the creation OF parish courts and
the abolition Of justices of the peace.
Women will be required to pay poll
tax for 1921 under an ordinance In
troduced before the Constitutional
Convention recently by Delegate Phil
Arras OF the Ninth ward, New Or
leans. This would be a requirement
for them to vote in congressional eiec
tions in 1922. After that year they
will 90 on the voting rolls under the
same requirements as men
Payment OF poll tax as requisite
to voting will not be necessary under
the provision of an ordinance intro
duced in the Constitutional Conven-
ton recently by Mr. olcombe Of East
Baton Rouge.
Completely overshadowing all other
issues, the problem of revision OF
Louisianas taxing system promises 10
furnishthe most hotly contested ques-
ton before the Constitutional Con
vention.
| This is pointed out by the conversa'
/ ton of the delegates inthe first week
Of the convention. Everyone OF them
has come to Baton Rouge with certain
fixed ideas of taxation firmly lodged
| in his or her mind.
Two ideas appear paramount among
/ the delegates. One is that the rate
of taxation has reached it's limit. The
other is that more money Is needed
for the government, both local and
state, to function properly.
The solution then lies in providing
means for catching the tax-dodgers
and also for the equalization of taxa
tion in order that each person or con-
Germ shall pay the fair share OF taxes
due by them.
"Uniformity and equality OF taxa
ton" Is the theme uppermost In the
| delegates minds. This is taking the
form Of a demandthat every man pay
taxes in conformity with those paid by
his neighbor. Among the country
delegates there is a persistent stand
that the owner of idle cultivable land
shall be assessed the same value as
his hard working neighbor who keeps
his land in cultivation. With the city
delegates there prevails the same
sentiment that a man who is holding
property for speculative purposes and
not developing it in accord with
neighboring property shall be assess
ed on the same basis as his neigh
Dor.
The suggestion made by the spe'
cial tax commission appointed by the
last Legislature to study tax reforms.
that an income tax be levied aroused
a wave of opposition. AS the dele.
gates arrived in Baton Rouge a week
ago for the opening Of the constitu'
ton they made no attempt to hide
their disapproval. The end Of the
week. however, was featured by les.
sening Of the opposition.
The tax commissions recommends
tions for an income tax received fur
ther back later when the Board OF
State Affairs in a report to Governor
Parker and the Constitutional Conven'
ton urged the adoption OF IAN income
! ta1 In lieu OF our present tax on in
tangible and certain kinds Of personal
property"