The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-14

Der of years. or valuable immunity of some
other description from the STATE!
1t is frankly admitted that upon The first
blush, having been trained up in he old
democratic school, would agree with the
Texas Farm and Ranch of the 10Th ultino.
which says. among other things: Texas
Farm and Ranch is not opposed to the es-
adjustment of factories in our midst. Dut
it is opposed 10 taxing the psople OF the
State for their benefit, and thereby add 10
the large profits which our factors' boon'-
ers declare would result from their opera
tion." But absolute necessity forced Inc
to go beneath the surface IN this matter.
and after considerable meditation and wor-
rying over the subject, the following Q'es-
lions presented themselves to my mind !.
1. Can it be possible that "A great and
flourishng institution. carrying from oV'
to 1000 employees, could be operated in any
farming community in this State without a
benefit to others besides owners thereof
2. Would it not be the means of build
ing up cities wherever located2
B. Would it not increase the taxable val
ues of all property within a radius of at
least forty miles from the location Of each
factory. and would not the increased value
of property within such radils. o" even
within the radius of one nile. mora Than
compensate for the comparatively puhy sum
which may be offered by the State 70 secure
to ourselves all these great beneiiis'
1t would be an unnecessary consumption
OF time and an unwarrantabe encrcacb-
ment upon your valuable columns TO stop
here to answer the foregoing questions. as
the answers will suggest themselves to
every reader.
Now, If it is true that the intro luctitn Ut
factories would largely increase The taxable
values of the State, say 30 rer cent. which
is moderate estimate, which fact 10 ons
will dare deny, it would be possible to re-
In hn "a tp
fourth of the present rate and then rave
larger revenue than we now have, even
after exempting the capital invested IN fac
tories from taxation.
Then. viewing this subject alone from the
standpoint Of the State, 1t is not easily per-
ceived why such exemption would not be,
grand financial stroke of policy for the
State, as by that act. as we have clearly
shown, the taxable values OF the Stale
would be enormously increased wi.hou. any
outlay of money. to saw nothing Of the in
creased prosperity. contentment and Eappi,
ness it would bring to the laboring classes.
upon whose success the prosperity and
greatness of this State must ever depend.
Before dismissing this part of b., subject
i may be well to saw that unier the con
ditions above referred to. the taxes would
be distributed in accordance WITH stlict
rules of justice.
Those persons whose values were most In
the consequent uphuiling of cities, would
of course pay proportionG'ciy uiore td,es.
and those whose vaines were not increased
by the establishment Of such enterprises
would pay much less THAI ller roS LAY.
for the very simple reason THAI the rate of
per cent would be reduced.
Besides general interest ia all the
above described benefits 10 the state, me
farmer has a direct personal interest in the
subject now being discussed. Every bust
ness occupation of which we fayo any
knowledge requires patronage to be sue
cessful, the lawyer must have clients. the
doctor his patients. The ,nerch4at rs Gus
toners, and the farmer his marke: where
he can sell hus surplus aroductr.
Farmers. shall we nave markets. Wei
can get them for the asking. WITHOUT the
cost Of | cent. All we have to 90 issto
put the ballot in tho box with the right
name on 1t. and The market is ours, and
is assured. Ore Interested.