The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-09-24
AS to Taxation.
To the Editor OF The Post.

In his opening speech at Tyler Governor
Sayers paid considerable attention to the
necessity for reforms in our taxing system,
and his suggestions should be needed No
subject deserves more thought and atten-
ton from our taxpayers and law makers
than this. AS 1t row is each county anl
city has It's own crude plan. There is no
rule or uniformity in the assessment of
property or of fixing values. Taxation is
hellher equal nor uniform ana the citizen
Is often in doubt about what to render aid
| H. unne OK ssailly annoyed by tax assessors
ana often incompetent appraisement
Doirds Much Of the property is assessed
100 low, some too high and great deal
! Lt personal property is not assessed at all
Ihere is no good reason why any prop
erty not belonging to some department OF
lAe Cover nment-~Natonai, State, county
or city-shOula not bear its proportion OF
the taxes needed for the public use. Every
'ndivldual, corporation, association or So
clety should be forced and compelled 10
r-idcr fer taxation every dollars worth
OF value 1t owns and the law should fix
a very hSayy penalty for violation II all
( me property in the State was rendered for
taxes at two-thirds of its value the rate
would be so low that no one would fe-
1t or complain The law should provide
ior a compete careful appraisement Of all
property once every two years, by a com
uttent board and the assessment for taxes
should be AT two thirds of its appraised
NaIuei SAID assessment to stand for two
wears. Iaxes should b. collected promptly
or suit entered and limitation should bar
q TAX debt as any other debt. for obvious
reasons Many citizens are being sued now
Tor taxes al eyed 10 be due for Years as
far back as 1876. In many such cases the
taxes were paid and tax receipts pro iuced.
III many others the receipts have been
T. ~ or misplaced. Such litigation is all
wrong and works a great injustice 10 ma1y
htad citizens. Very few OF our taxpayers.
II called on, could produce rece,pts for
taxes or other things paid so long ago In
tu2 COUNTIES where a city is the county
seat there is a very large and unnecessary
expense for assessing and collecting the
tlNes, To Illustrate: IN Harris county we
have a State and county assessor a Statc
and county collector and city assessor ana
'Hi' Nj. o. the three officers are
elected and have separate offices with
clerks books and separate machinery. and
nj this 70 PISS 50 and collect the taxes IN |
about $40 600 900 worth Of property. ore
competent officer in ore office. with three |
eo0a clerks, can do all the work at about |
one third OF tho present cost and do il |
much more satisfactorily to the taxpayers.
as 1t new Is 'ach property owner has 10 |
make about six trips TO assess and nav |
taxes ana listen % incompetent aDnrslse- |
ment boards when in fact two visits with |
"A prefer Fyeom would be sufficlert.
Thfse Suggestions aye crute. but strictly |
in llne with common seuse and economy |
and In the interest Of all The neonle and |
an NE taxpayers. I flil 10 see why even |
the politician will object 20 reforms on this
1t is earnestly hoped that Governor Sow
'rN. WI Is clos stuGent OF government
VIII influence the legislative branch 10 give
io ttard old ToHas needed reforms IN This
and nnv OH things. Joe Slyers IS me
man for the place ana tho people know tbat
he recommends or approves viii
oe Tor lheir GOOD. Geo. L. Portor.