The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-01-13
WORK FOE THE LEGISLATURE

As we stated ii our article in yesterday
rnornins's issue, that we would continue tht
subject began then, We submit this morning
some more remarks on matters that opsh'
and will probably come before the legislature
for consideration. The drummer lax mas eX'
cited no little comment throughout the s1ase'
This properly belongs to the question OF oc-
cupation taxes. Per sc, we are opposed 70
occupation tax. 1t is wrong in principle
and considered in the abstract, is an imposl-
ton. But an imperious necessity ie1 TO lts
establishment. II is not necessary In TINS
article to discuss the why's and whersiofes
which caused the levying of the existing
occupation tax. Legislative WISDOM
devised it as one of the means OF
raising required revenue for the s.a'e'
ana atfthe tine it was first Determined en
there was reasonable necessity for it, ana
the exigences Of the times have kept IL up
AS we have before had occasion TO reTafk,
there can be no objection TO the amount Oh
taxes paid by the citizen if value shall be
received. When taxes are equal ana uni
form, as the constitution requires that they
shall De, the taxpayer dees not complaia,
and the objection 10 occupation taxes Is not
specially because of tho tax itself, but be-
caRse il is not Uniform and equal.
len this constitutional requirement. and
it INA Just snd reasonable one,
be complied with, and the business
public will not seriously object. In 50 far as
the drumzers tax is concerned We have
to gsy, that if our own merchants are required
to pay yearly stipend for the privilege OF
doiIg business, according 10 the extent OF
their business, why should not merchants
from abroad bs required to pay the same
1.-THE merchant abroad proposes to do bus
mess in Texas and sends his representative
here 70 transact 1t, prOfting blythe protection
to lfs and property the state affords to its
own citizens, it is reasonable that they SHOULD
pay as much for'thst privilege and pgeroga-
tive as the home merchants has to pay. This
is reasonable proposition presented in
commonsense manner, and we invite the at
tantion of commercial travellers to it. II seems
to us that now there is such q large cash bal
arce in the treasury and the revenue for the.
state is so adequate from other sources, that
occupation taxes might be done away with
in SO far as q source Of revenue is concerned,
at least. The constitution requires that taxes
shall DO equal and uniform, and the only
purpose Of taxation is to raise revenue fer
q tho current and necessary expenses OF the
state government. Occupation taxes are only
subtsrfuge at best. The people have to
pay them because they are added 10 the cost
of necessaries which the people have TO buy.
Then if revenue sufficient can DO raised by
ad yalorom taxes why make class pay
yearly stipend which other classes do not
have TO rsys On the subject Of immigra-
ton we have heretofore expressed our
self SO fully and explicitly that it is
hardly necessary to say anything now. Still
we think 1t not amiss in this article TO une
quivocally declare the HERALD as 10 favor Of
amy aud al iles.aIes Ia. VII ssa3 70 .asacs
immigrants to seek homeS wishinthe confines
of our state. We do not mean by this that
we favor unlimited expenditures of money
in this direction. We simply desire com,
mon gene aud reasonable action taken in this
matter. We believe that every immigrant
who has the means 10 como 10 Texas, and
who Is induced 70 come here by en- honest
presentation Of facts, Is worth thousand
dollars TO The state. If in ante.hellum
times slave was worth $3.50 or $4,000,
why is not an honest, hari-working white
MAJ, who will -iill the sol
and pay taxeE, worth thousand dollars
We dent want to pay The pass'gs of pau
pers to Texas, but VIC do want 70 ascertain
and publish al the facilities and advantages
that Texas offers, that immigrants may read
and consider and ccne here, IL thsy Eani to
and take advantage Of those facilities In
the matier Of education we favor a liberal
and proper support Of free schools The
times demand that The youth of The land
sheala be educated. Civilization stands upor
the pinnscls Of human affairs It's demsBdl
are imperative To keep pace with II oul
boys and girls mus be given the adssniagI
ofscheol teschers and school books and oshei
adsqzass school Facilities. The boz or cir
who grows up 10 manhood or vomankoot
without the advantages thst tsIs bselEs ant
teachers give are not afforded an eqnn
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