The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-06-18

divisions. and It was adopted without

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 votec
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
MS suggestion, but which finally was
put into effect in 1899 He said the
law proved success, but through a
reactionary movement was repealed
In 1885, but restablished some years
ago. Later it was adopted by other
European countries and also assessed
by the UnitedyStates
There sho6& 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
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 VIII 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
typographical error. President Bouan-
chaud has ben absent but one day
since the convention began its session
March 1, and that was because Of ill
ness.
Another typographical error made it
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 JEFF
B. Snyder, first vice president of the
convention, on the splendid new con-
stitution 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 uoted as saying:
''In 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:
I'm the matter of taxation. the Con-
stitutional Convention not only has
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 the
tax committee provided that "Iarm
improvements" shall be exempted
from the taxation. The amendment
was introduced by Mr.. Abel of Winn,
and was supported by Mr.. Roberts of
Webster and Mr.. Sledge of West Car
roll, who explained that its 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 well as fences.
An amendment by Mr.. WestbrooK
of Livingston exempting from taxa
ton all new homes valued at $1,000
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
was a report from the housing CON-
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.
Nr-<~xx l-wN IL L. IL