The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-12-15
THE SAN JAcINTo BATTLEFIELD.

THE SAN JACINTo BATTLEFIELD.
It Is matter for widespread regret. and.
indeed. for surprise. that q citizen should
be found in Harris county who is blocking
the purchase by the State Of the historic
San Jacinto battlefield by demanding for 1t
six times the maximum price per acre al
lowed by tho act OF the legislature and
nearly twenty times the assessed value Of
the land.
II has required years OF effort and OF
waiting to obtain the consent Of Texas to
purchase this historic field and erect it into
beautiful State park, which in all the
future would prove an object OF pride and
a source OF inspiration 10 the loyal people
OF the commonwealth. Now, when the pur-
pose is all but consummated, to find greed
standing In the pathway is not only disap
pointing. but humIllating. The Legislature
allowed a maximum price OF s25 per acre
to be paid, correctly deeming this figure
a liberal one.
The property is assessed at So per acre
and is worth from sl5 to $50 per acre, pos
slbly. To demand $50 per acre for it, az
is now done by one man. is simply to at
tempt to enrich ones self at the expense Of
the noble purposes and patriotic impulses
of the people OF Texas
Such instances unfortunately are not
rare when public funds are to be expended
or great public movements are in question.
While all others are inspired by generous
and public spirited motives there Is gem
orally found one whose selnshness and
want of patriotism. or of State or local
pride, operate as IL stumbling block.
In such cases. OF course. there is nothing
to do but to resort to The reserved power
of society and invoke the aid Of the courts
In condemnation proceedings
This instance in question again and
striklngly calls attention to the inequnlitie,
ana Weaknesses OF our tax system IT is
unjust that some citizens should have to
return their property for taxation at some
thing like the value they place upon IT,
while others can return II at ne-twentieth
of such value If by mans own admle-
sion he Is enjoying an assessment OF only
IS per acre upon si50per-acre land, while
his noighbor ia paying the same tax on SIS
pcr-ncre land, it Is time a system which
permits such inequalities should be thor
ouGhly reformed Land should bo assessed
at two thirds or half, at least, OF what
the owner considers its selling value.
If citizen should as the owner of soue
historic spot declare that 1t was not for
sue at any price by reason OF his appr--
citation OF It's associations. his position
could be appreciated hut to profess \ WI
linsntss to sell, without any display OF SEN
t'mental or patriotic attachment to the
spot, reduces the matter to commercial
S'anding merely aud tho price and motive
must he measured in the usual way. und,r
'he latter light then, the action Of one Of
tho owners OF this cradle of Texas liberty
can only prove a source OF modification 10
the general public and lead to the hope a.
way will quickly be found 20 prevent the
thwartlng of n noble purpose by disposi.
ton to work special advantage for all
1t Is worth from selfish standpoint.
The Incident In question will create t,
feeling OF indignation throughout the whole
State.