Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-03-20

exempt lHt tDIltllAAtf
extend to them additional favors
sections i0ia and lob. while not con-
siatent with section LOG are equally
vicious. They make the penalty ton per
cent. and Interest six per cent without
regard to the time the properly ~ re-
deemed. All OF these changes are III the
interest of the large property owners.
and are an ENCOURAGEMENT 10 MN TO
refrain from paying his taxes.
1t would seem that the above eN-
amples OF the changes made were
enough; but the committee goes FUR
ther, aud submits other amendments,
providing additional facilities for the
taxpayer who can AFFORD the luxury OF
"a lawyer to escape the payment OF ms
just dues. In addition to the continue
ance OF the board OF equalization. SO
rounGly mathematical every year
new board ~ created. called Il board
OF appeals" which holds for two years.
and may meet every day IN the year
so far as any limitation Is tNed in the
bill or any control is given over them
by the council. The city mas the gfa-
cious privilege OF liking and paying
their salaries, but nothing more. From
this board OF appeals the aggrieved
taxpayer can again appeal TO the coun-
~ court, but as to the city ita decision
is final. What field for litigation
aud what a fat place for some other
wise unemployed citizen, or three cltl-
zens. rather. this amendment provlde9l
But this Is not ALI Not content with
providing n means for the taxpayer to
escape the Just payment for the pro.
lection afforded to himself and property
which he receives from the city for the
current year, the amendment seeks TO
60 back to the years 1892, 1898 and 1874
and reopen the tax rolls for the de-
linquent taxpayer and readJust ms
taxes The poor man who has PAID
his taxes for these years Is given no
consideration, lie has paid his money,
and II has been expended In the sup
port OF the schools. the payment OF the
police aud fire departments, tie I'M
provoment OF streets and other current
expenses, while the owners OF vast es-
tates whose rent roll amounts to more
In week than the small property
owners income for year. have Kept
their money and proilted by It's use;
and now It is sought to extend the de-
llnquent additional favors for his past
delinquenclts and offer him a premium
for Its continuance in the future,
The gravity OF the situation calls for
the exercise OF your best judgment.
sound discretion and highest PATRIOTISM.
II Will not do to permit your actions
TO be governed 10y the clamor of the
disseminated. or the adverse criticism
OF those who are Interested, II taxes
seem too high, and the public mind
excited thereby, the fault IL not yours.
Whatever may have been the short
comings. sins OF commission )r omls-
SION on the part OF the present admin
istratlon, waste and extravaganza IL
not one OF them. None Of the 'calam-
iiy howlers" can chow single place
where expenditures can he reduced and
efficiency preserved one Of the rea-
sons why the taxes cannot be reduced
IL that there are 80 many delinquent
tnNpayers-so many who shift tho re-
sponsibillty from their own shoulders
upOn those OF their neighbors-and
those are the persons, ana those only,
who are to receive the first If not the
only. benefit from these retroactive
Cvlsions sought to be engrafted upon
our organic law,
While the power Is conceded, | queH-
tiun the moral right and the Justice or
equity OF the legislature In imposing
this kind OF Legislation upon the city.
As provided by the organic law, Fort
Worth, after due notice, asks the legis-
lnture for certain enactments, These
II has clearly the right to grant or
reject, as In its wisdom 1t sees proper.
But what Justice Is there In its lmpos-
ing upon the city something IL does
not ask or desire, and which will not
only do II great injury. but will virtu-
any ufNAIhN It's dulllLg W NNtltlat us
functions as n corporation?
The matter Is submitted for such ac-
tlon as you deem proper in the prem
ises. Yours respectfully,
b. u. PADDOCK. Mayor
Alderman SpoOnts was recognized and
spoke FOR several minutes on the cond-
ton Of things as he had found them at
Austin,
Alderman Roberts. after several mo-
tons had been made, amended and
withdrawn, m 1ye1 that the mayor be
instructed to 80 before the legislature
and urge the passage OF the amend.
ments to the charter demanded by the
council At this Mayor Paddock de-
MARRIED. He spoke OF the pending mu-
nicipal campaign and intimnted that
he wanted To take a hand In tho fight;
also said that his official relations with
Senator Bailey and Representative AM
drcws were anything but pleasant, and
that he would hive but little weight.
You would never shirlt public
duty" said Alderman Drake from the
Sixth ward.
"Onc OF my public duties il to see
that no alderman Of your political filth
~ returned to this council" rctallated
the mayor.
After considerable discussion OF tho
question, It was moved and carried that
the mayor appoint committee Of two,
he promising to assist them, to 60 10
Austin and work on the Legislature TN
the charter amendments had become
laws.
Mayor Paddock asked for time in
which to name his committee. Thi,
was granted, and the committee will b,
named In n few days.
The mayor returned without his ans
provnl the order made at the last SEES
sion of the council providing that a con-
tract be entered into to grade and pave
nl1Ny la thn h1nais
Fourth, Main and Ruslt streets.
Alderman Ward moved that the vote
accepting the committees report Mt tho
last meeting he reoonsidercd This was
done, and Mr. Ward moved that the
order be sustained, Notwithstanding
the mayors veto.
a can devoloped the fact that every
one of the sixteen aldermen rrsscn,
favored It's adoption. and the veto was
not sustained.
Adjourned
-
CARMEN CEUTN