Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-01-09
Taxes

mo expense incurred by the state for
the annual assessment and collection
OF taxes are far beyond the limit OF
sound economy and sound nnanclcrlng
Aside from the losses sustained from
insolvents, erroneous assessments, and
ON lands sold TO the state. the assessors
received for their work IN 1892 S2lS,-
235 %, aud the collectors were paid
Sl3S,Oa6.bO, aggregating 1851 POI 10 ex-
pen7e for assessing and collecting
$2ai2.3l9.6I taxes that pear. To state
II differently; For the year 1899 the
state paid for the assessment and coll
lection OF taxes over 10 per cent on
the gross amount received At this
rate Il takes less than eight yenrs for
these fees TO equal the whole amount
OF taxes collected by the state for any
one year. Many of the assessors are
paid from $500 to $1,000 others from
$4,000 TO SGO0O while few OF them re-
ceive from $4,000 to $4,000 a year for
their work. Collectors are also paid
handsomely. literally.
Certainly statement OF the facts
embraces n poignant suggestion that
the costs OF collecting taxes are by far
too high for the services rendered. and
should be materially reduced.
BerlGpS tho most mcnncing condi-
tlon mat threatens the prosperity OF
the people now Hes in the abuses that
infest municipal governments. BY what
methods salutary changes may DO
wrought, is, TO say the least. problemnt-
lcnl. The subject IL worthy OF tho
most serious consideration OF your hon
orablc bodies. The disposition to In
crease taxes under the pretext OF street
pavement and public Improvement. but
In fact TO support an idle horde OF
points with unerrinE certainty
10 the dangers that lie ahead of the
people. Next to tho agsassln's gun, the
abuse OF the taxing power breeds more
distress among the people than any
,ther cause with which they must con-
tend. While. under the constitution.
the legislature is permitted TO grant
special charters to cities having more
han ten thousand population, yet there
IS nothing in II to require this 10 be
lone. At each session OF the legislature
obbylsts swarm around the halls, seek
ng TO have city charters amended or
'e-enactcd 80 as to extend the powers
OF municipal government There is
lut little uniformity either in the or
finances or In the policies or the man.
lgement OF the several cities OF this
itate. In so far MS the constitution
will permit. they grow up TO be In
dependent municipalities. often menace
ng property rights and public inter
,sts.
1t would be well for the leglsla.
ure TO refuse TO grant any more char
ers, or to amend them; but instead
hereof 10 revise tho code and laws on
government. and make them
lppy to all the cities and towns, Or.
I would be well TO re-enact the laws
N municipal government so as TO en-
race three chapters: The first to APP
,ly TO and govern cities OF over ton |
housand, the second. TO cities OF ten |
and less and over five thous-
nd: and the third to towns OF five
and less. The abuse OF the
axlng power In many OF the munich
alitics, or towns and cities 10 tanta-
iount almost TO conflBcation or the
copies property. Strong restrictions
hould be placed over these govern
ients for the protection OF property
'om such nbuees.
IT Is common, also, In the small
,wns. to find several sets OF officials
'ho are useless IN their idleness, but
lust be supported at public expense.
! some OF them II Is common to see
istices OF the peace. recorders, con-
ables. policemen. deputy sherlffs. and
,pecialY officers. each, within his Pc
liIar 1nrisdictlonal lines. ready to ha-
lss the citizen. It would be well In