The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-03-23
THE HOUSE.

Austin, Texas. March % Representa-
tive Savage did the praying for the house
this morning and pending business in the
shape of the general appropriation bill
with pending amendment by MIR. Patterson
to strike out the amount for the State rev.
enue agents salary was taken up.
Mr. Kirk offered substitute for the
Patterson amendment making the appro-
priston for tho revenue agents salary 50
per year and the appropriation for his ex-
penses 81 per year
Mr.. Patterson accepted the substitute and
Mr.. Savage wanted 90 know whether the
revenue agent saved tho State more than
he cost.
MIR. Curry exclaimed The workings of the
revenue agents office and insisted that that
otflcc- was a necessity, as he had already
collected several hundred thousand dol
lars for the State which otherwise would
never have come in .-t
Mr. Tracy thought even S. a year an ex-
trdYagant amount TO pay a revenue agent,
as he was a superfMity.
Mr.. Patterson thought there were too
many officers already aud saw no nee assi.v
for maintaining department the existence
OF which was a reflection upon the comp
troller. the attorney general and the dis
trict attorneys and county collectors Of the
State
Mr.. Holland Of Harris said the credit for
the collection Of overdue liquor taxes in
Galveston and Harris counties In the past
| two years and the bringing to taw OF
evaders OF the revenue laws in those coun-
| ties belonged to District Attorney Gillas-
| pie. The passage OF the law OF 1893 was
| what had enabled the State to catch up
! with tax lodging saloon keepers, he main
| tanned. and as soon as Mr., Gllaspie's
| hands had been strengthened by said law
| he had secured the conviction OF lies laa
| evaders.
Mr.. Harris stated that he understood the
| liquor Interests wanted the revenue agent $
Office abolished. SO far as he was coneei ned
| he had rs much respect for District At
| torney Gillespie as anybody anu II he
| thought that he was reflected upon because
| Of the existence OF a revenue agent he
| would defend him as quick as anybody.
but there could be nothing in the reflective
| contention because he had a letter (which
he read from Judge Gavin OF the Gal
weston Harris county district court ask
| ing him 10 vote against any proposition To
abolish the revenue agents department he
| cause his assistance was invaluable in en-
forcing the revenue laws.
Mr.. Fields OF Hill opposed the Kirk
amendment and also Mr.. Logan, both gen-
| lemen producing figures and facts In de-
Tense OF the falth That was In them
Mr.. Logan WAS not only In favor 81 main
tanning a revenue agent but he also though,
the State should have an auditor. Hc in
| sisted that some one capable OF sizing NJ
the states finances and with ability tc
make a report to the condition OF said
finances should be installed and put &c
wof&, giving the people some satisfactory
| and comprehensive information on tha
subject.
Mr.. Wilcox moved to table the Kirl
amendment and his motion prevailed by q
vote OF 81 TO &c.
MIR. Crawford moved tn amend the bill
by making the appropriation for the STATE
revenue agents salary $500 instead o
$500
Mr. Holland of Harris supported TIL
Crawford amendment and again reverted
TO the collections OF large amounts o
delinquent liquor taxes In Galveston an'
Harris counties in the last two years, de
nying that any special credit was due the
State revenue agent therefor. The law o.
1893, sustained by the supreme court and
enforced by District Attorney Gillaspie
was what had done II, to his notion.
Mr.. Woltcrs stated that he was opposed
| TO keeping up revenue agents depart
ment, but that unless 1t was abolished al
together he was In favor OF paying the in
cumbent fair salary and would therefore
move to table the Crawford amendment
and his motion prevailed by vote of TS
to 10.
An amendment by Mr. Mercer to cut tn,
revenue agents salary down TO $1,000 pei
year was tabled, and the executive depart
mont was passed.
| The subdivision OF the bill relating I,
the governors mansion and grounds pass