The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-04-19

suggestion, call your attention to the
fact that there will be deficiency in out
standing appropriations for the judiciary
department, quarantine and other de-
mands, estimated by the comptroller to
be $150,000. And the following bonds will
become due as follows:
Six per cents mature 1890 1900 900
Seven per cents mature 1S9l.............. 467,OOO
Six per cents mature 1891 $4,000
And no sinking fund has been created
to meet them.
Four hundred and eighty-three thousand,
five hundred dollars of these bonds belong
to the public schools, University and the
several asylums.
Iquestion the wisdom of paying these
latter bonds at their maturity, in view of
the fact that thsy belong to these special
funds and it is difficult to obtain a safe
Investment, the money would probably
remain for time idle in the treasury
with consequent loss of interest which
would fall upon the people in the end.
But as S26l, 900 of them are drawing z
per cent interest paid by the state, while
it only receives 6 per cent from the coun-
ties, if not in contraveution of the con-
stitution they should be taken up at
maturity and a manuscript of 6 per cent
bond issued for the whole amount to
equalize the rate of interest, and obviate
any possible objection from those who
pay this difference and are in a measure
unfriendly to the public school system.
But $24S, 700 of the bonds outstanding
and soon to fall due belong to private
parties and must be paid at maturity.
If therefore you do not disturb the
present rate OF taxation, we may safely
calculate upon the excess of receipts over
disbursements to supply the government
with the necessary funds to meet its obi
cations to these private creditors, and
this will leave you the present surplus
in the treasury, less the amount remitted
to the taxpayers, to be disposed of in the
payment of existing deficiencies on reve-
nue. account heretofore mentioned; dust
the state indebtedness to the University;
increase the accommodations and eff
cheney of the asylums to the extent deemed
advisable; make the necessary additional
appropriation to put the reformatory into
speedy operation, and maintain the in
mates whom the law directs to be trans
ferred from the penitentiaries to this in
stitution; provide for an adequate geolog-
ical survey of the state, furnish the cap.
itol spend small portion at least to put
our state militia upon firmer basis, and
for the erection of a modest monumental
shaft at the capitol, to be as durable as
the pyramids, in perpetuation of the self
sacrificing valor and heroism of our Texas.
Mexican war and confederate veterans,
or such other meritorious claims as may
commend themselves to your favorable
consideration, and finally, but by no
means the least worthy of attention, may
be mentioned for suitable recognition the
Just demands of our public school teach
ers. The probable excess of amount ap-
portioned over receipts of available
school fund on September l., 1888, is be-
lieved to be $250,000.
In times past it has been the custom,
when the state became embarrassed for
lack of revenue TO supply current ex-
fPOne6s, bo.apprope VI W la%ish hand
such portion of the school fund as might
be necessary to subserve its immediate
demands, and to meet the existing ext
genoy, and now that the school fund is
short and this public interest is tempo
rarily crippled, there can be alleged no
good reason why the general revenue fund
should not reciprocate the compliment
from its superabundance.
This may be readily accomplished by
transferring as loan from the revenue
account to the school fund the amount OF
the existing deficiency for service OF
teachers.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
In order that you may have proper
understanding of the subject, l invite
| afrI otf 20 hn al nh IN
report of the superintendent of public
instruction, which embraces the following
com plete exposition and examination of
the educational affairs of the state, both
as relates to teachers, scholars, property,
amount and sources of revenue:
81 have the honor to submit herewith
the following information, in response to
your request of recent date:
The amount of school fund appor-
oned to the public schools for the
scholastic year 1851 81, 86se26 %
The pro rata for this year was.... rs
The excess of apportionment for
1867 of receipts available school -
for 1SS78, current year 2ss555l 90
Pro rata for this year ............ o.. 4 so
year ... ."n ............ 76775 Is
Probable excess of amount appor-
toned over receipts of available
tember, iSsS........ ......,.......... $4,000 90
SCHOOLS MAINTAINED FOR THE YEAR 1886.
White. Colored.
Counties, district.......""".....3,lo 5 Az
Counties, community. .......3, l33 l,54
Cltles. ..................."''''.... Eoo 10
.....,..........6573 2,1H
Grand total................ s,72O
SCHOOLS MAINTAINED FOR THE YEAR 1886-87.
White. Colored.
Counties, district. ,533 635
Counties community. ...........-3,O80 ,321
Cities. ....-"". .......... 2yo 120
Total. ........""...........".",6 2,OV
Grand total. ................... 6,yoI
Total increase over former year, 267, or about
per cent.
AVERAGE MONTHLY PAY OF TEACHERS 1856.
White. Colored.
Counties. ............... ".."..247 20 S42 05
Clues '.''.................... % ~ "A Uo
AVERAGE MONTHLY PAY OF TEACHERS 1861
White Colored.
Counties. .......... .."...".."...24 q S38 60
Clues. ..,..,................. " ~ az ~
Average decrease In counties 90
Average increase In the citiee.............. 2 SO
SCHOLASTIC POPULATION FOR THE YEAR 1856.
White. Colored.
Sountes. ..........'..... ..2oI,4o3 y5634
Cities. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1924 1927
1OIal'' .''''''''.'. ..ooO,ioi llojo4l
Grand total.....-.. ......... 4326To
SCHOLASTIC YEAR 1867.
II