The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1885-01-22

lnNNnf w INhN ho INV VIZ VIII hhNe w
invite further nugressions on The tights
~ the state by n negiect ~ plain duty.
I would not seo these roads crippled,
unless II be thatreqnlrlng them ~ fnl'
nll their duty o. the people In crippllng
them.
There H. no interest that IN not grasp.
Ing. There IN no Interest that docs not
obtain every advantage II can from gov
crnmunts. feel, however. that tho OK
cellunt men managing railways In
Texas will not object to reasonable reg
ulatlons.
| call your attention 10 the lnconyen-
ience and trouble constantly arising be-
tween tho two races, | submit whether,
II the co,Ored race IN forced into second
class cars, II would not be proper 10 de-
mand for them reduction OF fare. The
policy OF separating the races on the
trains VIII not bo questioned.
STATE TROOPS,
Although this farce has, In the last
two years, done great service, | believe
that N can be reduced 10 about fifty men,
with the necessary officers.
ARMY AND NAVY.
| recommend thorough reorganiza'
ton OF the militia.
The navy consists of one steamer, the
"Hygeia," which was built in New York
ut n cost of $4,000. She Is n fine vessel,
of - tons burthsn, and has been In the
service of the quarantine station at Gal
weston during the past season.
FIsCAL YEAR.
II seems proper that the fiscal and APP
preparation years should begin and end
together. This Is recommended by the
comptroller, aud | believe his recon-
mendatiOn should be adopted.
CAPITOL BUILDING. .
This structure has now progressed to
the first floor, and the work Is advancing
as rapidly ms seems advisable. invite
your attention to the report of the capt.
tol commissioners, which is herewith
transmitted.
IL is greatly regretted that the con-
tract did not provide for the use of
granite, as there is no doubt of its great
superiority to the material called for,
and Is quite M accessible.
ASSESSMENT LAWS.
IL is notorious that in many portions
of the state there are large interests that
are not assessed at all, and in other sec.
tons very improperly done.
/ cite but one instance: The rolls show
but 1000 head of cattle in Wichita
county. 1t is safe to say-and
no well-informed person will doubt
it-that there are at least 100000 cattle
in the county.
one of the wealthiest cattle men in
north Texas told the executive, during
the special session ofthe eighteenth leg
islattire, that the bulk of his property
had not been assessed and taxes paid on
for seven years. 1t will be necessary
tor the two houses to correct this great
evil; for indeed 1t is great, because by
il taxation becomes unequal. The little
farmer or small stock man remembers
to head the number of cattle or stock
he has, and renders them. If he should
forget, his neighbor will remind him.
CENSUS.
1t is suggested that our rapid progress
in wealth and population demands a
new census. 1t is believed that we can
have a complete census taken, during
the coming spring, without cost to the
state; or, at all events, by the expendi-
ture of small sum of money. Section
% of the act of congress of March 8, 1879,
page $50, reads as follows:
"SEC. %. That if any state or territory
through its duly appointed officers or
agents, shall, during the two months
beginning on the first Monday of June
of the year which is the mean between
the decennial censuses of the United
States is by this act directed to be
taken, take and complete a census in
all respects according to the schedules
and forms of enumeration in the census
Of the United ed, Sta States uo, and nc.
September following, a full and anthem
tic copy of all schedules returned and
reports made by the officers and agents
charged with such enumeration, then
the secretary of the treasury shall, upon
receivinga cei titicate from the secretary
OF the interior that such schedules and
reports have been duly deposited, pay,
on the requisition of the governor Of
such state or territory, out of any funds
| in the treasury not otherwise appropri
ated, a sum equal to so per centum of
the amount which was paid to all super
visors and actual euumerators within
such state or territory at the United
States census next preceding, increased
by one-half Of the percentage of gain in
population in such state or territory be-
tween the two United States censuses
next preceding: Provided: That the
blank schedules used tor the purpose of
the enumeration herein provided for
shall be similar, in all respects of form
and size OF heading and ruling, to those
used in the census of the United States"
With one supervisor and the necessary
enumerators, who may be our assessors,
we can dispense with much of the eX-
pense of the decennial census, and it is
believed thar amount paid by the
United States, with economy, will
enable us to have this census taken. l
recommend the passage OF suitable
measures to have it done.
FREE SCHOOLS.
The recent amendments to the cOnsti-
tuition and laws pertaining to free
schools have enabled the board OF
education to greatly improve them,
and IT is believed that, AT no time in the
past, have the friends of education had
so much to encourage them. The
present scholastic year will be about
six months, and is believed to be ample,
except in cities, towns and thickly set
tied districts, where additional months
can be added If the people desire them:
=. Iiidtar,the act passed at the last specill
session of the Legislature, Hon. b. M.
Baker was appointed superintendent of
public instruction, and at the recent
election he was chosen by the people to
that position. 1 invite your careful. at
tention to lis report to the board of edu-
cation, which is herewith submitted.
ESTIMATE OF AVAILABLE SCHOOL FUND.
Tax ON 5000 OOO 600 at 10 cents, $60300J
Poll tax .,,.... 10000
One-fourth occupation tax. I'll 900
Interest on county bonds lO46Z
Interest on state bonds. go. lIIsOO
Interest on railroad bonds, 10O000
Interest on land notes. 40 900
Land sales and leases. 35O,000
Accumulated interest .. 10000
$2,3l6 522
Deduct probable losses, In
solvent polls ....,....... $lO0,OO0
Expenses of collecting, as
sessing, collecting and In
solvents. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. l3o,OO
s235,OOo