The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-07-22
Communicated
Colonel Darden ON the Financial
Affairs of the state.

Affairs oft State.
Hon. Stephen H. Darden, state comptroller,
while on short visit recently to his old home
in Gonzales, was invited by his many old
friends there to address the people on topics
of public interest, and particularly on the
financial condition of the state, he having
been for the past seven years at the head Of
the department of the state government
having control of the financial affairs. Col
Darden responded, giving full and con-
else statement of the condition of affairs at
the present time, the causes that have result
ell in the plethoric condition of the state
treasury; and concluding by suggesting
among other things the following points as
proper for the consideration Of the legisla-
ture at its coming session in January next
REDUCTION OF TAXES.
First--He advocated reduction of the
tate ad valorem tax from fifty cents to forty
CENTS on the hundred dollars. This, he
urged, with the indications of the revenue
from all sources, as exhibited at the present
dste can be safely done meet all the wants
still give one-fourth of the ad valorem tax to
the school fund, as limited by the constitu-
ton.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
Second-The amounts honestly due by the
state to the common school fund of SS2, =
1863 so, and to the university fund of 1884,
472 26, both of which amounts have been
heretofore carried on the annual reports as
debts of doubtful validity" and to which
attention has been repeatedly called by the
comptroller in his reports and notably so in
his financial report ofDecember, 1876, should
be recognized with accrued interest. This
debt to the university fund, it will be remem-
bered, was created in February, 1850, when
the United States bonds and accrued interC IT
belonging to that fund was transferred to the
revenue account for general purposes. Bonds
Of the state bearing five per cent. interest
were issued for the amount, under an act of
the Throckmorton legislature, approved No
vember II, 1866, but the debt has never be- i
recognized by any subsequent Legislature, The
recognition Of the amount thus justly due
university fund would render that fund suf
ticently large to at once establish and mPir
tain the state university required by the con-
slituton. This amount, together with the
amount due the permanent common school
fund, properly belong to those funds and
should be transferred back to them, now
that the state is financially able to do so.
SALES OF SCHOOL LANDS.
Third-C j. Darden suggested that the
law providing for the sale of the school
lands, be so amended as to give longer time
for payment and at a lower rate of interest.
With suca a policy he thought that there
would be'greater inducements to purchasers,
while at the same time the investment would
be equally as good if not better.
STATE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Fourth He called at. 'ntion to the sdvan.
tages which would result by change of
the constitution to authorize the
election of superintendent Of public in
struction. Under the present constitution
the governor, comptroller and secretary of
state compose the board of education. The
dutie, Of these officers in their respective de-
partments are so onerous that 1t is impossible
for them to give the matter that thought and
attention which its Importance demands.
The salary paid the superintendent would
be more than compensated by the uniformity
and efficiency which would result from the
supervision by an officer whose whole time
and thought would be given to the promo
ton of public instruction.
These were but few ofthe points touched
upon by the honorable gentleman, but COM
ing from one who has an experience of over
seven years at the head of one of the most
important departments of the state govern
ment, they are surely entitled to the earnest
and favorable consideration of the people
and the legislature; and particularly is it de-
sirable that they should be considered at the
present time, just on the eve of the meeting
of the Democratic convention, which is to
formulate the policy of the party for the
next two years. Nv