The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-18

rates or freight ana ClnsStucatton on gem
cral merchandise. With the exception of
lumber, the rates upon which seem not
10 be complained of. II has now estab-
lished partial rates on everything within
It's authority and general rates have been
fixed on the great bulk of articles. The
cotton tariff became operative September
I. 1894. Tho general merchandise tariff
which involved great labor, went into
effect August q. 1895. on the former there
was a reduction In rates of % cents per
bale and on the latter, MS well as others.
there WAS an average substantial roduc-
ton. on December Is the commission
made for me the following approximate
estimate of the amount saved I'm frcghts
by the operation of all commission tariffs
from January u.s. 1895, to December 81,
1886.
on cotton of the crop of 1S9i-9s
1.O0o,o 900 bales, at 25 cents. ......... S25o,oOc
on cotton of the crop of 1906
i,20o, 600 bales .......................,. 10000
on freights other than cotton at
the rate of $4,000 per year...... 10000
on January 10. 1895, when the present
administration took Office the total de-
ficioncy in general revenue In round num-
bers was s7ssooo. This condition OF the
treasury was not the result of cxtrava-
gance, hut was due TO the payment of
$4,000 public debt. a deficiency of Sl62 coo
In Il preceding administration, and the
The existing rate of taxation would not
discharge this deficiency and support the
government. and consequently increased
taxation was imperative. Expenditure
were reduced as heretofore stated and the
rate fixed as low MS was consistent with
efficiency. being % cents for 1895 aud POI
cents for 1896. The comptroller estimates
that by March 1. l@7the expiration OF
the two appropriation years-this dciici- |
ency and current expenses will be paid, |
leaving $4,000 in the treasury.
There was also a large deficit In the free |
school fund which amounted to $3.50, 1850 |
on August 81. 1891. largely attributable TO
the increase IN scholastic population from |
e2O. 900 in 1894 TO 900 in 1Sai-aj and |
us, 900 in is95-96 This deficit and the re
qulrement of the constitution that tho /
schools be open for at least six months of |
the year necessitatrd an increase in the |
rates of taxation to 20 cents for 1926 and
Is cents for 1896 with this the deficiency
has been paid and the schools are prac-
tically on a cash basis. Notwithstanding
the burden of heavy deficiency, the APP
portionment was $3.50 per capita, the same
as the previous year. which will support
the schools for four months. and If ndl-
cations are not misleading the per capita
will be increased to $500 for the next
term tc four and three quarter months
1t is gratifying that the cause of higher
education has also advanced and that the
Normal schools, tho Agricultural and Nc
chauical college and the university are
in prosperous condition, with an increased
average attend9noc. II may. therefore, b.
said upon the subject OF state finances
that despite tho embarrassments named,
marked reduction IN expenditures has been
made. the Just obligatiors of government
discharged, and the great interests Of
education pushed forward unlmpalred.
You are entitled from time to time 10
know tho condition and progress of affairs,
and in that spirit this statement is sub
mitted to your consderate judgment. It
has been purposcly compressed into tho
smallest space compatible with clcarpcSs,
with the view of printing IT in the weekly
papers, the best method of reaching the
great masses Of the people, and | viii he
greatly obliged If the editors VIII print It.
c. A. Culborson.