The St. Mary banner., 1921-06-25


a dissenting vote.
Many members Of the convention
spoke for and against the amendment.
Former Governor Pleasant objected
TO any Limitation whatever being plac.
ed upon the Legislature and voted
against the Reid amendment placing
the limit at per cent He gave an
interesting review Of the income tax.
telling OF how it was proposed by the
noted English statesman. who was
mobbed in the streets of London for
his suggestion, but which finally was
put into effect in 1893. He said the
law proved a success, but through a
reactlonary movement was repealed
In 1876, but restabltshed some years
ago. Later it was adopted by other
European countries and also assessed
by the United States.
There should be no limit placed in
the constitution as to the rate Of in
come tax" said Colonel Pleasant. The
Constitution of England does not con
tain it and the English people make
the income tax high in times Of war
and low in times of peace. This same
free rein should be given the Louis
lana Legislature There is no doubt
in my mind but that the Legislature
will reflect the sentiment of people
and will assess or not assess the in
come tax as the people desire"
A dispatch from Baton Rouge show
ed Lieutenant-Governor Hewitt
Bouanchaud, president of the Consti-
tutional Convention, recorded absent
eleven days. but this was due to q
typographical error. President Bouan-
chaud has ben absent but one day
since the convention began it's session
March /, and that was because OF III
ness
Another typographical error made Il
appear that Allen ]. Ellender delegate
from Terrebonne, was absent from
some of the sessions This was an in
justice to Mr. Ellender as he has at
tended every session Of the conven-
tion and has the same perfect score
for attendance of committee meetings.
A third typographical error slipped
into the interview published with JefY
b. Snyder, first vice president Of the
convention, on the splendid new con-
stftution being drafted. The lead Of
the story stated that the rate Of tax
alton not only had not been increas-
ed" but a prohibition placed In the
new constitution against increasing
it. In the body OF the story, however.
Mr.. Snyder was noted as saying:
I'm the matter Of taxation, the Con
stitutional Convention not only has
not introduced the rate of taxation
but has provided that the existing rate
be increased -
This was not correct, and Mr. Sny-
der should have been quoted as say
ing:
In the matter Of taxation, the Con-
not increased the rate OF taxation, but
has provided that the existing rate be
not increased"
The convention, without division
and with but little opposition. adopted
an amendment to the schedule Of tho
tax committee provided that "larm
improvements" shall be exempted
from the taxation. The amendment
was introduced by Mr. Abel of VIM.
and was supported by Mr.. Roberts Of
Webster and Mr.. Sledge OF West Car
roll, who explained that it's purpose
Is to aid in the development OF the
rural sections OF the state. The ef
feet of the amendment is to exempt
from taxation barns and other out
buildings as we'll as fences.
An amendment by Mr.. WestbrooK
OF Livingston exempting from taxa
ton all new homes valued at $4,000 |
or less, constructed prior to 1929, was
tabled on motion OF Mr. Gilbert Of
Assumption. This was the second |
time a proposition OF that kind was
knocked out on the floor. The first I
was a report from the housing COM
mittee. which aroused so much oppo-
sition that it was withdrawn.
Mr.. Cazedessus Of East Baton Rouge
procured the adoption of an amend
ment fixing the maximum taxation Of
the corporations owning railroad roll
ing stock at forty mills.
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