The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-06


| Amounts collected in
1897 and credited on
collectors books ~. s5s.en o.
Collections by sheriff
TO be credited on col
lector's books $500. 1929 81
Court costs in suit in
which tax has been
paid by defendant . 1907 50
Court costs in suit in
which property has
been bought by city. a,c77 81 1854 81
Collection on tax state
ments as per collec-
tcr's reports ........ 1,50S 00
Ttax statements not
used -. ........... S56 90
Tax statements in suits
on which the city
bought property ~. ASS 90 2,so2 90
Court costs collected by
clerk to be refunded
10 city .............. 32l 90
Taxes on property
bought by city ...... 1897 9S
-----------
Total 49,. .......... s76,9l7 81
In addition to above
collections made On
tax suits from January
], 1898, to date and
credited on collectors
books ....... ........ 10,o61 Os
Total $1,000. ...... sss.97S Go
Number tax suits filed prior to Jan
uary I. 1897 ....................... 15s
Number tax suits filed in 1897 ....l,2ss
Total ..... 3,24O
Judgments taken by defendants, dis
missed, etc. ..................... ,2so
Suits now pending .................. 40
From January /, 1897, to date 10 judg
ments have been taken covering:
Taxes -....... neutrality-suspicious. oo,too -
Interest ............ ............ 14,so9 So
Costs of statements, advertising,
etc. .........'........'. o'dio w
Total ....,... ....s....,.....$ S65t3 81
The charter of the city or Houston pro-
yides that the city attorney shall file suit
on all statements furnished him by the city
assessor and collector of taxes as soon as
possible, and If not filed by the LIST of Oc-
tober shall he cause for tho impeachment
of the attorney. This is clear and emphatic
and in compliance with this charter pro-
vision j have done what was my manifest
duty and have filed suit on all tax state
ments handed me by the city assessor and
collector of taxes. which sufficiently de-
scribe the property, and In the performances
of this duty have endeavored to be. and
believe that have been, fair and impartial.
"Hewng TO the line and letting the chips
fall where they may Evidently the char
ter did not contemplate reasonable col
lection of revenues" or rather that some
should pay their taxes, and others enjoying
the game privileges should not. but it
the collection of all revenues,
making all bear the burden of taxation
alike BE this. however, as 1t may, the la"
requires the bringing or these suits and
with a proper regard 10 my oath of Office
| have endeayored to the best OF my humcle
ability To conform to the law and my we'll
defined duties The benefits of taxes ar
far reaching and can not be approximated
by tho result OF suits filed. For instance.
as before stated. have this year filed SUITS
on the entire delinquent roll from tax
statements handed me by Assessor and Col
Iector white and 1t Is asignificant fact
that there has been more taxes collected
for the year 1897 than ever before In The
history of Houston. l believe that this is
not alone due 10 the efforts of our eff
ficient tax collector but is In part due 10
the tax suits brought by myself as city at
torney. ms required by law.
AS tho offices of city attorney and city
assessor and collector are so closely con
nectod in the matter OF collection of taxes
I deem IL proper in this report to ongratI-
late MIR. Justin G.. White upon the prompt |
manner In which he assisted me in tho
conduct OF tax suits by furnishing mo the |
tax statements, as required Ly |
law to do. Respectfully submitted,
John s. Stewart, City Attorney