Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1861-04-24

so justify the retrenchment ofthal
expenditure in the Comptroller
office which is now devoted To m
object, the satisfactory accomplish
mcnt of which has been found TO bC
utterly impracticablc, As matter
of Justice aud u means Of augment
ing the revenue, il is eSpcdicnt that
a.tax thould be proposed upon money
and every character of pccuniary
obligation, n species of property
which is very able TO contribute its
value to the support ofgovernment,
for the right Of its possession and
use, has always been supported by
the laws of the government, while
il has enjoyed singular Immunity
from taxation. IL is calculated
that the revenue arising from this
source would increase the revenue
of the State ut least $50, 1000, and SO
manifest II provision should not
be overlooked,
Before concluding my remarks on
the momcntary condition OF the
State, | will alludc to the result OF
the agency to thelatc United States
for the purpose of obtaining money
due to the State of Texas for cSpen'
diturcs made in defense of the from
tier. The Comptroller, who was
the authorized agent of the State
arrived at Washington early in Feb
ruarv, and forthwith submitted his
claims for payment. 1t was oblSc'
tod that the claims were not suffi-
ciently authenticated to admit OF
their being audited. Dispatches
were Immediately forwarded to
Texas for the requisite vouchers,
but pricr to their arrival, intelli-
gcnce reached Washington of the
seizure of the Federal property in
Texas, and our agent was then in
formed by tho Secretary of Warthat
the payment of our claims would
be deferred. This conduct on the
part of the authorities at Wash
ington does by no means surprise
me. for it was ever habitual with
that Government to rctard and en-
barrass the claims of Texas upon it;
claims, too, which have arisen in a
manner similar to the present
from having been forced to appro-
pirate our own means to secure that
protection from frontier dcpreda-
tions, which had been guaranteed,
and should have been given by that
Government 1t is much to be re-
GREETED that the proper officer OF
the State was not allowed the priv
ilcgc,of proceeding to Washington
at an earlier day, when he would
have secured the money which was
due us.
conclude this connection by re-
narking that tho foregoing recom-
mcndations relative to the fiscal
condition of the State, are based up
on suggestions and data, supplied
by the honorable Comptroller OF
the State.
I / have no very important infor-
nation to communicate to you in
relation to the frontier. Recent in
telligcncc, not authentic, however,
has bcch received, reporting the
presence of some small bands OF
marauding Indians on our extreme
northern frontier Col. Dalrymple,
with n sufficient force under his
command, i. in charge of that sec
toin, and it is hoped that he will be
able to give it protection. Col Nc
CulIoch has just arrived from the
northwestern border. He reports
that there arc no Indians in that
portion of the country, where be
has been in command, a condition
of things which lam happy to make
known to yuo. In some Of our west
crn counties, however, the citizens
have not been so fortunate. Tho
Indians, in considerable numbers
have descended upon them and
committed many atrocious depre,
dations.- There is also much appre'
hension felt at FL Paso, as no pro
tecting force is there. l trust that
the troops now being raised for the
protection of the frontier will hast
en- to tire field, and from the mum:
Der and character of the men, and
the well known energy, courage
and gallantry of the officers who
are to command them, l feel salts
fed that our frontier citizens will
have protection, more perfect than
they have ever yet enjoyed.
The existing law which provides
for the organization of the militia
does not seem to be of any practical
efficiency, and in view of the posi-.
bic, if not probable, contingencies
which may come upon US, rnvite
YOUR attention to the consideration
of that plan which will render the
militia effective.
Upon an examination of the or,
dinances of the Convention, l find
many to which the attention of the
Legislature is specially requested
for acti3n is necessary on your part
to give them force and effect
There is, first, an ordinance re-
specting public property; second
an ordinance relating to custom
house officers and custom revenues
third, an ordinance authorizing the
purchase of arms for the use of the
State; fourth, an ordinance con.
corning arms, stores, &c, recently
surrendered to Texas by the Uritec
States Government; fifth, an ordi
nance to provide in part for the de
fcnsc of the frontier, and of the
State; and, sixth, an ordinance re
lating to the laws of Texas; There
are other ordinances, equal in i'm
portancc to those enumerated, t.
the consideration ofwhich | respect