The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-04-19
TEXAS SHOULD LOOK TO THE FUTURE.

Texas has a future before her, grander
than that of any state, or half-dozen
states combined, in the union. An en-
pire in domain, with soil of unexampled
fertility, with choicest mineral resources
strewn with richest profusion through all
her hills, with wonderfully salubrious
population, no glory is too great for her
to achieve, no pitch of power too high for
her to reach. But that future must be
worked out, it will not come as q free will
offering from above. Craftsmanship must
be at the helm of our ship of state. Wis
dom, prudence,yet broad-gauged prudence,
not rash haste or parsimony, must rule,
especially at this formative period in our
history. Under careful outstanding of
resources, and through the efficient service
of the states revenue collectors, large
surplus is now in the treasury. More
money has been collected than is necessary
for the ordinary running expenses of the
state government. But it must be re-
membered that half Of that surplus comes
from source unusual and almost I'M
expected, certainly source whence no
such money will ever again be derived.
OF the balance of the surplus, it will be
pretty well consumed in the way poin ed
out by the governor in his message as,
follows:
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 RENTED to
the taxpayers, to be disposed of in the
payment of existing deficiencies on reve-
nue. account heretofore mentioned; adj just
the state indebtedness to the University
increase the accommodations aud 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 a small portion at least to put
our state militia upon tirmer 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 velor 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 of
the just demands of our public school
teachers.
The governor classes nearly all of these
items as necessary expenditures at this
time. If the Legislature acts upon his
advice there will be left for the current
expenses ofthe government not very much
more than the yearly income. This is
now at a figure considerably above the
annual expenses of the state and it is to
more nearly equalize these two that the
legislature, among other reasons, has been
convened. 1t lie delicate and grave task,
And wise craftsmanship and provident
care for all the future should be weighed
with what seems to be present demands