The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1882-03-21
.IFT THE issue BE NET

CaptIOned as above the Statesman mas
1 leading editorial devoted to an attack
upon the position of the EXAMINER, Ill
regard TO the immediate reduction of
state and county taxes. Not alone this,
but 1t is assumed, by the Statesman, that
the EXAMINER is hostile to any early
, diminution of the burden OF taxation.
We respectfully cubmit that the assump-
tion is not warranted by the facts in the
case. The Governor, n his call for an
extra s. ssiOn of the les stature, has
specified, among other matters, that of
Il reduction of ad valorem and other
taxes, as tit subjects for legislation. The
ExAMINKE agrees with him that the rev
enues are il excess Of the legitimate
needs Of the state, and viii be glad to
see the tax laws revised, to the end that
no more money than is necessary may
be drawn from the taxpayers. But, as
sincere as may be the Governors aspira-
tions in this matter-as cordial
as may be our 5 sympathy with
his aspirations-we have been
puzzled to comprehend how the very
desirable end may be attained Gimme
diate attainment, We mean)-and by
constitutional methods, without serious
iy impairing the efficiency of major
ity Of the county governments. This
very important consideration is utterly
ignored 10y the Statesman. that paper,
while scoring the EXAMINER for sup
posed antagOuIsm to retrenchment, is
very careful not to suggest any way out
of the difficulty. 1t merely contends,
with a great display of tiorid zeal, that
taxes must be cut down. and at once,
without venturiug lgle suggestion
as to d practical and constitutional
modus operandi. But while the
EXAMINER finds this matter environed
with present complications aud obstacles,
it is not prepared to say that the
executive viii prove unequal to the
emergency. We are awaiting his mes
sage with real interest, feeling assured
that he will have d plan to tender
whereby the end may be reached.
When that plan Is submitted it viii be
time to courider It. IL it is practical |
and wise 1t will be adopted as promptly !
and cheerfully as he could wish. If, by |
any chance, he shall iail to be armed !
with such resources, it will be untortu- /
nate for h;n. He will find the legisla- !
ture full as anxious as he is to solve the
problem. The Statesman says, and we
ask members of the Legislature to note |
the language
No, let the tax question be considered, and |
II the legislature bow before the demand for /
extravaganza let the responsibility bs hastily !
assun,d, that next fall it may be known who |
are worthy Of places gs aw.givers. The pre-
sentation Of this question 81 this time is highly
proper, and but one thing can defeat It's pas
sagO-the fact that our legislators would aid
and encourage extrevagsnce
This language is very sigu;icaut, and
it may contain the key to this discussion
already provoked by the Governors
1t should not hurt any
body to hear the tT"th about public
matters, and no matter what the senti-
nent of the administration and its
riends at Austin on this matter, public
ointment elsewhere will settle down on
wo or three definite concluai ons to be
about as follows the people,
ne legislature and the press are in
cart accord w,h the executive iu his
osltlon that taxes are too high having
.cached the subject himself, it is ex-
ected, and with reason, that he shall
e prepared to suggest practical,
easlble and prompt remeoy; if
nus prepared he will crown his
with additional lustre ,,
nd receive generous cooperation at the
ands Of the law making branch of the
ovelhment. Bnt, should he assume :
nat he has done his duty by merely d
aillng the attention of the legislature !
} this matter, and then placidly leave
lem to face the issue and the taxpay-
rs too, while he tulns to the people
.th an already strong record fortified
y the additional act that he has recon-
iended relief, but the legislature has
'iled to give it, there viii be trouble.
uch course may find justification in
ONE codes of political ethics, but it
MI surely commend itself to the proper
ppreclation Of the people. BIT there
III be time to discuss this issue, tenn
erately and fairly when it comes up.
he Examiner accepts the Statesman's
hallenge, that the issue shall be met.
We purpose helping to meet it, and
elplng the people to understand it, too.