Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-04-22

Ole, IOl IL Will give bOme pcoplo iooP
hole to escape tsxstion altogether. 1t
may be right to make scaling OF all &C.
cupation taxes, but any tax reduction bill
that does not include I'D valorem taxes
too, will not be measure Of relief such
as the people expect, and have right to
expect. The sd valorem tax is the peo-
ple's tax. 1t is the contribution that poor
men and men of moderate means pay
for the support Of government. 1t
is the tax thst goes into the
daily life Of the masses. Reduce 1t as
much as may be deemed consistent with
safety Otter the appropriations are msde) Z,
but not q tenth OF q cent lower. There
ought not to be another deficit in Texas
for years to come. It is to be doubted,
even II the suggestion were entirely
feasible (Which is very questionsble), If
1t would De sound public policy to remit
the ad valorem taxes of the current year.
Such Q measure, 1t IL to be feared, won d
have demoralIzing tendency. There is
every indication that this will be 8 boun-
tiful yesr in Texas. The people will be
able to pay even the present rate OF taxa
ton (Which is not operous), and re-
duced rate will not DE felt to sny appre-
ciable extent. Mex. year msy De one Of
hardships, reducing the measure Of pub
lie prosperity, and there would be no fur
Their remission in that event. Taxes
would have to be paid, no MAJ
ter what the condition of the
people. It will be far better to
collect the taxes of the current year {. re-
duced rate, however, and have another
plethoric treasury next year, than to take
the risk of total remission, without any
knowledge as to what the condition of the
people will be next year. Suppose the
taxes for the current year are RENTED.
How many taxpayers will be thrifty or
provident enough to apply the money
thus saved to any practically wise pur-
poser Not three in ten. The amount ia
individual cases will be like so much
money found, no owner claiming 1t, and
spent easy, as Is generally the case with
money that comes easy. A spirit of ex-
travagsnce and thriftlessness will be ore
Of the results. 1t will, as THE GAZETTE
views the matter, be far wiser, sounder
public policy to put the rate as low as
possible, but have tax levy as
usual and collect 1t. We have the benefits
Of government sll the year and every
year. Let the people pay taxes every
year. They have never done otherwise
and the most that any taxpayer hoped for
when the Legislature convened WAS re-
duction, not remission of taxes. The re-
mission theory was broached sitter the
session opened. THE GAZETTE will be
rejoiced to learn that it Is possible and
safe to cut down the ad valorem rate one
half, but does not expect such al out
come. 1t will be safe though to make
some reduction, snd even 20 cent rate
will be grateful and helpful to the people.
But the appropriations ought to come
first. 1t will be 6 long time ere there Is
such an opportunity as now exists to aid
our public institutions, to pay the teach
ers, to do many things that are needful
snd ought to be done, without putting
burden on the people. The opportunity
ought to be utilized. Make the appro-
priations, liberal but not extravagant
ones, and then attack the taxes.