The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-01-24

80 covarnor Cnlberson, which was read
n both branches of the legislature yes
to-day. The message, while evidently
omonating from a legal mind and colored
moro than usual in such messages by
LOCAL thought. is quite comprehensive
statement of the condition OF the state'
its financial difficulties and giving sug-
cestions by which these difficulties and
omborrossments may be relieved,
y
covornor Culberson is an optimist and
h;e strinp of reductions in expenditures
evidently seems to him kind of golden
chain reaching across the chasm OF de-
fciency and uniting us with the most
UNPARALLELED prosperity. Did Governor
crIhorson ever consider for moment
that every one of these items which he
intonds 70 touch with the lthureal spear
of retrenchment is a count in an lhdlct-
ment of a former administration 1or the
unnecessary expenditure of state funds
no far MS state institutions were con-
rcrned. or in other words that the amounts
of public expenditures of which ne pro-
noses to cut off $1,121, 1925 was an
unnecessary extravaganza of the previous
administration? Some of this excess OF
necessary expenses came through the
courts and sheriffs' Offices and are not
all chargeable to waste in our puDhc IN
stitutions and the conduct of state gov
ernment. Is it possible to reduce the
expenses of the state government when
every one of its eleemosynary institutions
are annually increasing in demands!
When its population in the judicial dis
tricts is increasing, when crime is not
diminishing, to the extent of Sl,12l,-
1926?
Governor Culberson supplements this
saving clause with the imposition of 70
cents on the 500 for the school tax, and
25 cents for the first year and 20 cents
on the 500 on the second year for the
general revenue This is entirely con-
sistent with Governor Culberson's pledges
Mt Golad, where he said the tax rate
should not be increased unless it was
absolutely necessary, and he clearly dem
opstrates the fact that it is absolutely
necessary, in fact it is self evident,
His recommendation to the legislature
to quiet the title to all bona tide pur-
chasers of lands patented to railroads,
manifests broad spirit of liberality and
due sense of the Importance to the state
of yindicating the safety of state title to
land, although he proposes to call the
railroads to account which have at
tempted to cover up lands wrongfully ac-
quired by mortgages and simulated fore
closures.
The insurance companies doing business
| in this state are informed that in all prob
ability the loose system by which these
companies have imposed upon the citizens
of the state will be corrected and their
operations reduced to a straight and mar.
now legal path.
Mr.. Culberson goes to the root of the
abuses that have crept into the execu,
ton of the criminal laws of the state
and makes certain recommendations that
show that these abuses have been very
apparent TO the keen eye of the lawyer.
|
The methods by which the taxes of the
state have been allowed to escape the
vigilance of the tax collectors are pointed
out and the delinquencies in the school
and general land fund deliberately dis
cussed and the remedies for the cure OF
the same suggested; with additional sug.
gestions that FIRE and marine local in
surance companies, telegraph and tele-
phone companies should pay taxes. He
also recommends that a change should
be made in the method of collecting the
taxes from the railroads.
| Governor Cuberson is an out and out
opponent Of the fee system. AS the high
est state official is paid only $4,000 pei
annum and some of the county officer:
make rs much rs $4,000 n year under
the fee system, he wisely recommends
change. He suggests as salaries Cor dis
trict attorneys $500 per annum, and al
other county officers at salary of $1,000
per annum, all the balances collected al
fees to be covered into the state treasury
This, he thinks, will yield saving o
$4,000 or 100000 q year:
The governor then conclusively prove
that with the reductions propose,
and the additional tax recommended tina
the deficiency will be made III
and the state enabled to do business upol
Il cash basis. No doubt about that, if
and that if is going to be Il most import
ant matter in the affairs of this state
if the reductions proposed by Governo
Culbcrson are possible. If they are no
possible the assumption that they ar
will be fatal to Governor Culberson's rec
concentrations. 1t is big risk for an
governor TO take, but it shows that he ha
backbone that is willing to risk III
judgment of its possessor.
The militia of the state goes by tn
board No appropriation is suggeste
for an encampment. In fact il is pos