The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-12-09

To the Editor of The HERALD:
DALLAS, December IA short time ago
sent you communication upon the ques.
ton of a proper disposition of the present
cash balance. As this is a free country
every person has right to express himself
fully. As belong to that class Of people
who are strictly non-tax-payers, that is
those who have nothing, and very little of
ofthat, / can speak without prejudice.
We have on hand about two million dol
lars more than is needed to carry on the
expense of the government. We have an
other thing on hand; we have very heavy
occupation tax on hand that is grind
ing down the business men Of our county.
The State is certainly interested in the sue
cess of our business men rs much as any
other class. Now the question is, will this
occupation tax be kept up so that st. Louis
and New Orleans merchants can undersell
our home merchants, and thereby take the
trade away from them ? Shall st. Louis
and New Orleans reap the benefit of our pro-
auctions in preference to our home interests?
and this, too in the face of facts that show
there is no necessity for such q tax? 1t
looks as though parties advocating an ad-
verse doctrine are working for those two
places and against Texas. Some may ask
the question, What has that to do with re-
hitting the tax altogether A great deal to
do. If the matter is properly graded now,
the occupation tax can be placed ut n rca-
sonable amount; but if you exempt
taxes altogether for one year the
cash balance will be used up,
and should there be deficit the merchant
would have it to bear. For this reason the
farmers, being relieved from paying tax for
one year, would be, less inclined to pay taxes
than now, and they being the largest voting
class in our State the members of the Leg
islature, through personal interests, would
saddle the burden upon the already oyer
laden merchant.
Another thing, we need some internal i'm
proyements. Weneed school-houses badly
and as we have the money why not build
them in preference TO following out the
policy that Is charged upon the Texas cattle
family is destitute of milk. The great qucs'
ton Is will our State be miserlyY
We may pay dearly for our whistle,
Many and many man, who has been pos
sessed of great deal of this worlds goods
yet failed TO educate and pay proper atten
ton to his family, has regretted his error
when II was 100 late.
We have not sufficient funds to build the
State University at present. Shall we re-
init the tax and let that enterprise
duce the pay of oil OIL
our officers to-a mere pittance' 1.-Two on
even bread and. bacon and adopt the dres.
Of the aboriginees, and be economical and
miserly to some purpose II is TO be hoped
that no such course will be adopted, but
that the tax will be properly reduced so as
only to collect sufficient TO carry on our
State Government and admit Of the occupa.
ton tax being placed at proper figure,
and In the mean time ample provision made
our public schools OH better basis than at
present
but If our Legislators all have aspirations
of some day being Governor, and want to
please the taS-paying people aud believe
that economy Is the watchword, then why
moi with this same cash balance buy the
capitol bondsg
w" have 70 build the capitol anyway. II
private In llvidusls cin afford to buy, the