The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-04-10
LETTER FROM Mr.. BAKER.
.fers to the Appropriations for His
Y Department,
AIMS LARGE REDUCTIONS MADE.
ppcn1s to the Members of til,
House TO Let His Figures and
Force Go Through.

= Austin, texas, April !.--Jhe following is
text OF the Baker circular which was
d on the desks OF members OF the house
is morning. exception to which was taken
certain gentlemen during the discussion
the appropriation for the general land
Ice.
il the Members of Roth the Senate and
4 House OF Representatives.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES pardon in advance
+ : what may deem to be a little Irregular,
submit below some suggestions which
/! II / owe to the public service In this de-
lrtment The usual course / know, has
EN- to appear before the committees, but
cir time has been too pressing to hear me
lily, and | offer that reason as my excuse.
rat II IL in writing only serves to make
lblic what otherwise would be before tho
mmittee. | am more than willing that
sunlight of day may b. turned loose
all my public service and all my de-
ands. Below will be found some COM
.risons and deductions which | respect
lily submit:
acre was appropriated In 1893. one
year -. ......sSi $50
lere was appropriated In 1895, ono
year -. -. -. ....-. $3.50
Difference In my favor ...........sl I,ii0
appropriated. 1890, -. -. -. ..s67,5dD
sked for by me- 1897. -. -. $3.50
Difference In favor of 1897. $50
appropriated by Commlttee of
senate..... ... 90. .......,S57 2l0
skcd for by me. 1897. .........., '5.bfo
Difference in my favor ............ $50
appropriated, 1879. -. -. ",fSl $50
sked for by me. 1897. -. .,..., $500
Annual difference in my favor. S2J,SlO
Comparing tho annual appropriations, II
III be seen that there was {ll,iio less
)propriated for this department IN 1896
ian In 1893. and the amount asked for by
o in 1897 is less than In l'13 BY $25.Slo.
his exhibit VIII show In The annual 'p-
-Dprlatiun for the four years under my
ADMINISTRATION an annual average dncreuso
2.li5, a total Of $50 G6N IN four years.
osi'h,s, II must be borne in mind. that this
)es not show All the economy and re-
'enchmcut because there was turned Into
10 treasury $l5S22,i2 uncxpenhed bv me
the appropriation of lS95 Tho comp
oilers report viii not show this, because
10 report begins six months august a.
l9i), ahead Of my appropriation aud closes
months before the close OF my fscAl
aar (March l. 1871 This sum therefore
s15,S22 ~ added 10 the grand total " ro-
'enchmnnt viii make grand aggregate
wing of 5GG, tS2.l2 for four years.
beg Therefore TO ask the represent
lives If The people ia It right thnt
hould be rcl,uls,d for this Unparalleled on
hit Of retreuchment2 IL there 10 be no
redit given To au officer. who, III lh,, faca
I obstruction and opposition AMI abuse.
lanilests the courage to retronch the eX-
enses of this department. In the interest
{ the oppressed taxpayers ut The Stato2
an you show any decrease ia the volume
{ work performed In this depart ncnt?
u the contrary tho record wll show m
yerage OF an hundred per cont increase.
! there want OF efficiency On the con
'ary, | am assured by thousands pc let
ars from tho citizens Of the State that tho
erviCc OF this department it, 40 to- the
tandard of tho best. Am not held alone
esponsiblc for an economical and honest
ervice? DO | not have to give bond Of
$4,000 10 guarantee such strvicr9 Nhr.
hen. can know better tho needs OF this
orvice!
DO You wish TO rctrcnch and oconomiye
4 the Interest Of taxpayer? answer
here and when in all the history of this
tate can you hud q better example iu the
ctual fact of rctreachmcnt than ln this
apartment? Why, then. should lhr prun-
ng knife be applied 10 this department TO
ut down salaries OF It's employees so that
rainod expert employees mus, bee driven ONT
I the service and their places hllcd up
,ith ineXpcricuced ami unframed men, who
an not learn the duties mnichEtly wcl
o be thoroughly effective within the next
wo 10 five years1
This matter is no personal grievance Of
nine 'iy salary Is hxol but wuud be
Justly blamed and criticised by the people
4 Texas II sat silently by whilp The