The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-07-13

Deficiency Of receipts over expenditures
as shown by C0mptroer's estimates. 5a4 2o1 Il
Expenditures per est mates of Finance
CompIroaler. =. 1854 500 90
Deficiency Of receipts over expenditures
shown oy committees estim4tes... $3.50 Il
According to the first statement we have q
deficit of 1924 291.71, and the second = de-
ticlt of 1913, 640.71. How is this to be metz
We have provided for issuing all the bonds
that the Constitution permits to be issued.
Hence the only way left US to supply this
deficit amount is from taxation. The pres
ent rate of taxation (ffty cents on the
5000 is the highest rate allowed by the
Constitution for defraying the current ex-
penses of the State government. We are
permitted, however, by the same instru-
menu to impose tax in addition to this,
for the payment of the interest on the pub
lie debt.
THIS is the object of the bill under con-
sideration, that Is, to impose an additional
tax to that now levied of fifteen cents, to
meet the interest on our bonded indebted
ness.
Iris expected that the Legislature, during
its present session, will pass such laws on
the subject of assessing and collecting, as
to greatly increase our revenue in the
future.
The assessment for the present year
1S76), however, has been made already
under the present law, so that we cannot
expect to collect more for this year than is
stated in the preceding estimates. The
object of the proposed bill is, to levy the
additional tax for the year 1876 only, SO as
to bridge over and make temporary provis-
ions, until our new tax system, under the
present Constitution, can be made effective,
which will be after the present year, when
it is confidently expected that sufficient will
be collected to pay our expenses, including
the interest ON the public debt and sinking
fund.
The Conn troller, in his estimate of re-
ceIpts rs before gwen, allows $187, 500 as
likely to be collected from delinquents on
assessments already made. In addition to
this it is claimed by some, that there is
enough due from back taxes (bn unrendered
property, to pay the deficit as shown in
the preceding part of this report. That
this amount will be paid. the committee is
not prepared to admit. Should the arrear-
ages be relied upon to meet ouT every days
expenses, as they become due and mature z
The proprietY of this, your committee
claim to doubt. Would prudent mer-
chant or banker rely on the collections of
an over due and uncertain debt, to meet
his positively maturing paper2 No. If he
once went to protest, no matter how able
he might ultimately ue to lueet his dishOn-
ored paper, his credit and his standing
would he dtstroyed. II this rule is appll-
cable to the good standing in individual
cases, should 1t not apply with equal force
in governmental affairs We should not
allow our paper to be hawked about, and
h.,o fha ,,f h.
is at present.
Suppose we were to have surplus in the
Treasury could it not be used advantage
ously in retiring even portion of our pub
lie debt Better to have surplus than q
deficiency.
We should make ample provisions foI
the payment of our ordinary governmental
eXpenses, and not impose any portion of ii
ON our successors or posterity. This has
been too much the case heretofore. In the
erection and endowment of colleges and in
situations of public charity, etc., we might
impose on posterity the payment of q por
ton or all of such expenses as posterity
would share equally with ourselves In their
benefit; but our every day expenses WE
should meet ourselves.
1t is bad policy in State or individual
to procrastinate and put off the payment OF
just and known debt. Our duty Is plain.
Let US meet it fairly and fearlessly. Is il
not better and more statesmanlike to i'm
pose a tax that will meet our every day ex
penses than to incur a debt, which viii
have to be met in the future by a tax sc
high that it will be oppressive and burden
some on the people-when this procrastl
mating system will be understood and dep
recated
The Constitution has established the sal
aries of our oticers-legislati executive
and judicial-at a low standard, even i
paid In gold, while they are now paid il
currency, which is at discount of twelve
per cent. Suppose we have not money il
the Treasury to pay these salaries as the!
become due; your officers will be compelled
to put their warrants on the market anC
the money changer will place his value oil
your paper. The government in such case
will not be the gamer by the brokers' profits
but your officers will be the losers. TIL
reverse will be the case when the govern
ment is the purchaser in the general mar
ket of supplies for the various State in
stitutions.
Our motto should be, "pay as we go.
1t is recommended by your committee tina
the Fifteenth Legislature should show b,
it's record that it has done better than an
of its predecessors; that it has, in accord
ance with the usage of business men am
the dictates OF honor, provided adequatel
for every debt due by our State.
A wise economy, together with publ
policy, demand that the bill under consid
!, GRAFTON be passed.
|, Respectfully submitted,
KoPPERL, Chairman.
tatement of receipts and expenditures of the Stat
, Government for the year ending August 81, 1877.
Expenditures mated by the Comp: rol er an
e revI.cd by the Committee Finance; also lh
amounts necessary to meet the alresd
made and those likely TO be made by the Legislatur
Legislative department as estimated by
the Comptroller. ........... ........S 125 900 {
Executive de yaItment as estimated by the
S Comptroller and revised By en- initiee.. AS, 2S9
| Judicial department as estim lied by the
o0"p f0hef $500 Mrscsi i So 4'0O
as p'r CompTrolrs estimate -. $4,000
Con- eying pr to Penitentiary
per Uompri oilers estimate ........ $1,000
Pay due frontier battalion per Comp
troler' sstat IN mt. .................. 10000
et's statement -. $50
company per omptrOler's estimate So, 90
? Qua anIine as per CCmptrollers estimate I2,OOO
! Total expenses as est mated bv Comp
3 frOiler and r: vised BY committee ..s',4issio :
For more de- aied statement OF he sew
cral items Comptroller's estimates
' accompanying report Of Finance
m rlee which items have cen reduced
by the amount of $50 651 by AID cun-
mrtJee, which should be add the
= following, for most of which l. ems bills
| have either been passed or IOw
pc. ding before the Leg Nature and will
=, most probably pass, viz: Agricultural
and Mechanical College. ............ 1000
: Due judgt Of criminal court s........... 2,00O
Eng sying bonds Observation-Disclosures. 2,OoO
deficiencies for state Department and
General Land Oeice .......... 49,. 1000
Suppl ing Cap toll With water. $500. 3,50J
. Abstract of land titles Of revenue
:. officers i'll assessing lands. 46 900
| Old penst,sns =. 49,. .......... -. 1900
support of PeiIitentiary .......... 10000
| SherIffs' bill. >. - ..-.............. 1900
. | New pension law ..-.... ...-.........-. 1900
special see sion of the Legislature. 5000
I Total estimate expenses for fiscal year
= endifg August 81. 1871 81 zoo, 40
| Receipts per Comptroll
ers estimate for 1861. g., l32 500 90
| Rec ipts deficiency sppro-
priation from bonus sOl Ia. 10000 00-&1 "a, 500