The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-10-18
DEPARTMENT NOTES.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.

WurZbach on the reduction of taxa
tion, as published in the San Antonio |
Express, said he had not, but that Mr.. |
WurZbach had spoken to him on the
subject, and he presumed their views
were in accord. Some people sup
posed that legislation was not neces-
sary, but, under the amendment just
adopted, the public schools would
next year be without funds. He did
not wish this to be understood as the
expression of an intention to
call an extra session OF
the legislature. The reporter
replied that he did not aim to draw
him out on subject about which he
(the governor) had been so reticent,
though he had a strong suspicion OF
the governors intention to convene
the legislature.
Subjects which, among Others, it is
understood will he called to the atten-
ton of the legislature by the gov
ernor are the reduction of taxes, pro-
vision for the free schools, the fence
cutting disturbances, and, as will be
suggested by the comptroller, the
question of the extension of the time
for redemption of lands sold for taxes.
AS the letter of Mr.. WurZbach may
possibly express the governors idea
to some extent on the important sub
ject of the reduction of taxes, we give
it, as follows:
Editor Express:
l see by telegram from Austin
that it is there supposed that no re-
duction of taxes for the ensuing year
1884 is advisable. beg to differ, and
will try to show that this supposition
~ hn ,hcto l,Vt hn
contrary believe very material re-
duction can and ought to be made, and
further that by the adoption of the
constitutional amendments the tax
laws now in force must and ought to
be changed. First let US see what the
probable revenues for general pur-
poses on hand June 1, 1884, will be-
We had surplus of general revenue
| on hand October l, 1883, of about
$26O,OOO. License taxes to be col
lected, such as liquor, ETC., Ito
be paid in advance) mostly
due after October 1, will bring
about $4,000. The ad valorem
taxes for 1883 on, say $510,OO0,OOO, at
30, less about Is per cent for assessing,
collection and delinquents, about ST.
100000, making total available for
general revenue purposes of about
100000. The appropriations made
by the 18th legislature for the fiscal
year ending February 1, 1883, amount
to about $1,100,OOO, which, together
with the appropriation to the end of
the present fiscal year, would give a
total of expenditures of about ST. $780,
600, leaving a surplus of the revenues
for 1883 to go over, and available for
the fiscal year ending February 1, 1885,
of nearly 100000 Inclusive the re-
ceipts from land Office. secretary OF
state, etc. And, supposing that nc
reduction in ad valorem and license
taxes are made, the amounts to be col
lected, amounting to not less than
100000, must be added to the above
surplus, which would make an avail
able surplus in the treasury at the end
of the fiscal year. the LIST of February
1885, of from $2,50O,OOO to So, OO0,O GOO
Is it safe or advisable, or to the best
interest to the people of our state, tC
take this large amount out OF the
pockets of the taXpaying community
to pile up such a useless, nay danger.
, Gus surplus? If these calculations
are correct, is there any necessity
: for the levy of the same taxes for 1884
: unless we desire to go into general
Improvement system. 1t seems
to me that with the expected surplus
on hand February 1, 1884, out of the
taxes for 1883 and the license taxes tc
, be collected after October 1, 1884, it
would be perfectly safe, and no part
Of the state government could be
crippled, to reduce the ad valoren
taxes from % to 33 per cent and also
reduce license taxes. l am satisfied
that from 10 to Is per cent for free
school purposes is, and will be, suf
ficient, and still leave surplus in the
treasury at the end OF the fiscal year
February 1, 1885. Again, under the
amendments adopted the free school
levy must be separate and distinct
levy from that for general purposes
not certain percentage, as hereto
fore. Surprising no changes are made
and levy for next year is made under
the law at 30 cents, what proportion
of said 80 cents is to go for fret
school purposes? Who is to decide
on such proportion2 1t may be said
take one-fourth as heretofore pro
vided by the law under constitution
but the percentage proviso IN the con
stitution having been swept away by
the adoption of said amendments, viii
not the law Tor so much thereof as L;
in contlict) based thereon also, fail
L further believe that other Legislation
is absolutely necessary on this and
other amendments adopted.
G. L. WURZBACH.
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
Miss Nichols, of Cuero, and G. D
Patton, of Austin, registered yester
day as students of the university
Number registered to date ITS.
COMPTROLLER DEPARTMENT.
The comptroller is preparing com
municat1on for the governor in thu
event of his calling an extra session
in which he will assign the following
among other reasons, in favor of eX
tending the time for the redemption
of land sold to the state for taxes:
l. Because it is not the policy Of thu
state to confiscate the property of cit.
liens, even when they have been
guilty of laches or neglect, but simply
to use the penalties of the law tt
make them respond to the payment Of
taxes.
2. Because large proportion of the
lands sold to the state, and now IRE
deemable under the law, is owned by
minors and married women, who
have no legal capacity to own and
control their own land.
3. Because the amount due upon
such lands so assessed as taxes is com.
paratively insignificant, while the
quantity of land involved is large an6
the sale will injure materially former
owners.
4. Because strict enforcement OF
this law will, in all probability, only
produce litigation in relation to the
land, involving varied and serious
questions which will consume a great
part of the time of the courts.
5. The fact that the records of the
tax department of the government
show that great part of the land sold
to the state has been redeemed en-
forces the belief that carelessness
without intention to deprive the state
of its revenue, is the main reason why
the law was clearly overlooked, and
land so sold has not been redeemed.
6. A great many of the sales to the
state have been irregularly made, and
in many instances lands have been
sold to the state, where the advertise
ments therefor, if made by collectors,
have not been filed in this office,
and hence arises grave ques-
lions of the validity of any sales of
such lands under this law. Law of
1879 cited.
Z. The records show that a great