The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-03-19
followed q lengthy debate. Mr.. Bur

followed . lengthy debate. Mr.. Burke
sal dthe convention would have plen.
ty' OF time at its disposal while await
ing the appointment of committees
and pointed out that HIS resolution
provided that the addresses should be
delivered during the recess periods.
Rural sections Of the state are be-
ing heard from In opposition to the
plan to abolish Justices of the peace
and ward constables. Members of
the Constitutional Convention receiv-
ed memorial from 1900 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 elec.
tions in 1922. After that year they
will go on the voting rolls under the
same requirements as men.
Payment OF poll tax as a requisite
to voting will not be necessary under
the provision of an ordinance intro
duced in the Constitutional Conven-
tion recently by Mr.. olcombe of East
Baton Rouge.
Completely overshadowing all other
issues, the problem of a revision of
Louisianas taxing system promises to
furnishthe most hotly contested ques-
ton before the Constitutional Con-
vention.
Phis is pointed out by the converse.
tion 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.
L W. iuOoo opPCdl pdl dLlOuul dluOuS
the delegates. One is that the rate
of taxation has reached its 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 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-
,ial tax commission appointed by the
asst Legislature to study tax reforms,
hat an income tax be levied aroused
/ wave Of opposition. AS the dele
,ates arrived in Baton Rouge a week
lgo for the opening of the constitu-
ion they made no attempt to hide
heir disapproval. The end Of the
veek. however, was featured by a les
ening Of the opposition.
The tax commissions recommends.
ions for an income tax received fur ,
her back later when the Board Of ,
tate Affairs in a report to Governor
'arker and the Constitutional Conven.
lon urged the adoption Of "an income !
ax in lieu of our present tax on in
angible and certain kinds of personal 6
6