Case Name: ROCHEBLAVE MARKET CO., Limited, v. CITY OF NEW ORLEANS et al.
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1903-02-02
Citations: 110 La. 529
Docket Number: No. 14,257
Parties: ROCHEBLAVE MARKET CO., Limited, v. CITY OF NEW ORLEANS et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: Louisiana Reports
Volume: 110
Pages: 530–532

Head Matter:
(34 South. 665.)
No. 14,257.
ROCHEBLAVE MARKET CO., Limited, v. CITY OF NEW ORLEANS et al.
(Feb. 2, 1903.)
TAXATION OF FRANCHISE — ASSESSMENT—EXEMPTIONS — APPEAL—JURISDICTION.
1. In estimating the value of a franchise, the earning capacity of the franchise is the proper basis to adopt.
Twelve per cent, is a fair basis on which to capitalize the earnings of a market franchise for the purpose of tax assessment.
2. For the reasons assigned in the case_ of Maestri v. Board of Assessors, 34 South. 658, this day decided, the market franchise involved in this case is held not to be exempt from taxation, but the market property itself is held to be so exempt.
On Rehearing.
3. Where the validity, under the law or constitution, of an assessment is not at issue, and, therefore, the suit presents no question of the legality or constitutionality of a tax of which the assessment is the predicate, and the rate of taxation calculated on the amount of assessment (to reduce which is the object of the suit) shows a sum in taxes, for the year in which and for which the assessment is returned, under the minimum jurisdictional limit of this Court, the appeal will he dismissed.
(Syllabus by the Court.)
Appeal from Civil District Court, Parish of Orleans; John St. Paul, Judge.
Action by the Rocheblave Market Company, Limited, against the city of New Orleans and others. Judgment for plaintiff, and defendants appeal.
Dismissed.
Henry Garland Dupré, Asst. City Atty., for appellant city of New Orleans. Edward K. Skinner, for appellants State Board of Assessors. Francis Charles Zaeharie, for appellant tax collector. Olegg & Quintero (Frank Zengel and Hugh S. Suthon, of counsel), for appellee.
Ante, p. 517.

Opinion:
PROVOSTY, J.
For the reasons assigned in the decision this day handed down in the ease of C. N. Maestri v. Board of Assessors, 34 South. 658, it is held that the market franchise involved in the instant case is not exempt from taxation, hut that the market property is.
In estimating the value of the franchise in question, the hoard of assessors adopted as a basis the earning capacity of the franchise. This was in accordance with both section 28 of Act 170 of 1898, and the decisions of this court. New Orleans & C. R. Co. v. City of New Orleans, 44 La. Ann. 1053, 11 South. 687; Crescent City R. Co. v. City of New Orleans, 44 La. Ann. 1055, 11 South. 681; New Orleans City & L. R. Co. v. City of New Orleans, 44 La. Ann. 1057, 11 South. 820; In re Wallace, 31 La. Ann. 335; St. Charles St. R. R. Case, 48 La. Ann. 1157, 20 South. 670. They took the net earnings of the franchise, and capitalized same on a basis of 12 per cent. We are not favored with any evidence or argument going to show that this was not a fair estimate.
It is therefore ordered, adjudged, and decreed that the judgment appealed from he set aside, and that the plaintiff's suit be dismissed, with costs iu both courts.
Ante, p. 517.