The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-07-17
THE MERCHANTS OCCUPATIONT TAX
A Talk with MIR. Tucker-Strangc PO'
sitiOn OF GOV, Roberts, Oiui
Ignorance of Some of our
State SOIOns,

Mr.. Chas. Fred. Tucker, having returned
from Austin, whittier he went to represent
the merchants Of this and other cities in the
matter of occupation taxes imposed by the
legislature, reporter was sent TO interview
him, and the following is the result
Reporter VIII you relate to me the re.
suit Of your visit to Austin?
Mr.. Tucker. We'll, | proceeded to Austin
and with the petitions that | found awaiting
me there, aud those that took, l represented
merchants from thirty different counties.
Besides these there we're others which had
been sent to the capital. paid my respects
to the governor ard made known the object
of my visit; was courteously received but
persistently thwarted.
Rep.--In what manner?
Mr.. TT explained to him that the mer-
chants we're duly taxed, and showed that the
tax of 1876 was double that Of 1878, and the
tax of 1879 was quadruple, or four hundred
per cent. over that of 1876. To this the
governor responded that the merchants paid
less tax than any one else.
Rep-How did he show this
Mr.. Tile asserted that they did not rem
der their property honestly. For instance,
10 Galveston, he said that the merchandise
rendered tor taxation purposes was not over
81 100000, when it was known that some
firms sold over $200O.000 annually.
To this | responded that tls fact did not
90 to the principle of the equity of the law;
that if such was the case, the proper remedy
was to be found in the enactment of law
that would bring about proper renditio~
of the taxable property.
urged that with this enormous and in
equitable taxation many merchants would
have TO close business, while others would be
deferred from coming into the state to do
business.
Rep.-And what was his reply to this?
Mr.. T.-We'll let those go and let those
keep away who don't like our laws
Thus l answered: But, Governor, isn't il
better to rectify the bad laws and keep our
good citizens, and get vet others than to
drive good people away?
The governor went on to say that he was
opposed to any reduction of these taxes, but
if could get dozen members of the legis-
lature to address him on the subject, he
would send in special message.
Rep.--Well, did you succeed in this?
Mr.. T.-Why, | EASILY got twenty-five sig
natures OF representatives and senators. The
document then sent to him by Mr.. Daniel
The following morning he sent for me- and
said he would require some assurances that
the relief bill, as asked, would be likely to
pass before he would send in a special message
on the subject.
Rep.-Did you speak with the committees
having this business in charge?
| Mr.. I. Why, sir | found some of the
members of the mouse committee on taxation,
also of the finance committee in the senate.
wholly unaware of the fact that the mer-
chants had, indeed, had this tax increased on
them. Mr.. Wurzbach, chairman of the house
committee, after | disclosed to him the true
state of the case. told me that if the governor
would only send in a special message on the
subject he would call his committee together,
and he had no doubt that they would recon-
mend reduction. | at once reported this to
the governor, but he referred me to Senator
Story, whose hostility to any reduction was
notorious. This shivered my last hope of re.
lief from the governor.
Finally, however, he said to me that wher
the school business should be settled, and tht
appropriation bill gotten out of the way. be
would send in message about the matter
provided he then should think that bill re
commencing the reduction, would pass.
concluded my labors by saying, well Cover
nor, where SO many Of your fellow citizen
and of such responsibility, petition you SO
earnestly, it seems to me the least thing yol
can do il to send in the message so that tn
legislature may be able to consider the sub
iect and then leave it to them to decide.
Thanking MIR. Tucker for his courtesy th
,aportnr withdraw