The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-11-15
SATURDAY.

Governor Ireland has not yet re-
turned, but is expected back every
day. 1t is stated that he went to San
Antonio from Seguln and would stop
over while at New Braunfels, where
Senator Pfeuffer lives. No pent up
Austin can confine the governor.
ATTORNEY GENERALS DEPARTMENT
Aa account of $4583 having been
filed by the comptroller as a deficit
against ex-tax collector Benito Coma
les, of Ell Paso county, the attorney
general has forwarded the papers for
suit by the county attorney of Ell Paso.
Mr.. Gonzales is also charged with oc-
cupation taxes, collected under alleged
false receipts by his deputies. He re-
signed lsome time ago and Mr.. j. II.
White was appointed in his place.
CoMPTROLLER's DEPARTMENT.
AS an impression prevails in the
minds of some that the action of the
comptroller in some instances has re-
suited in what appears to be dis
property of residents and nonreSi-
counties, (the term nonresident refer
rug % VIGIL W pdIbl I0SlQluR Ill
other counties, as well as to parties
outside of the state) it is proper to ex-
plain that the property of nonreSi-
dents only in such counties is assessed
by the comptroller in cases where the
owners to render their statements
and uniformly at 80 cents per acre,
while the lands of residents in such
counties are assessed by the assessors
~ tho Nrooni1od counties RI uUhiah
unorganiZed counties may be at.
tached. So there can be no discrimi-
nation In assessments made by the
comptroller, so far as his duties are
concerned, as he acts ON basis of 80
cents per acre without distinction
as to the character or value of the
lands owned by non-residentS in the
unorganized counties. Where any diff
ference happens, as it sometimes may
in adjoining sections of like character
and value, one being owned by resi-
dent and the other by a nonresident
of an unorganized county, it is SIM
ply result by operation of law, from
the fact that the non-resident's section
is assessable by the comptroller under
the established usages of his depart
ment at 90 cents per acre, while the
residents section is assessed by the
assessor at not less than his estimate
OF its value, should the owner return
1t at less than the assessor values the
property. Thus the land of a nen-
resident of an unorgauized county,
Gaines for instance, may be assessed
for only 80 cents, while the adjoining
land of same character and value of a
resident of the county may be assessed
at much higher figures. As stated,
however, this is the result of opera
ton of law, and no fault consequently
either of the comptroller or the
assessors. In all events there
are boards of equalization in the coun-
ties and state board of equalization
at Austin. for the purpose of investi-
eating and determining all complaints
for which the law affords a remedy
The state board, composed of the gov
ernor, attorney general and secretary
of state. had, it is understood, fixeG
the price referred to at 80 cents
Even non residents in some cases, as
the comptroller informs us, have re
turned their lands under their owl
valuations at over so cents an acre
Land speculationS are sometimes
based on such assessments. The fac
that a resident lives upon and ha:
made Improvements upon one section
of land, would naturally add to It's
value over like land of an adjoining
section of a nonresident. And SO on
there may be various reasons for diff