davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18
COST OF COURTS.

Notwithstanding the great reduction in>
tended TO be made by the two last legis-
latures, in the cost to the State in the
prosecution of criminal causes, the result
aprears still TO be unsatisfactory, and de-
ficenSies exist.
1t has occurred to ma that the best pos
sible remedy for all this Is TO make a rad 4.
ical change in the law re,ating 20 the pay
merit OF these costs. and put the expense
upon each county. TINS arguments In
faYor OF this change, TO my mind, are I'M
answerable. When you bring these costs
10 the direct attentions OF the people of any
county, by requiring them to pay the ex :
pense OF administering the criminal law
of their county, they will look closer into
and scrrtfnlze cost bills and expense ac-
counts of every kind. These expenses
VIII become issues In the election OF Off
GERS. and the remedy will be directly in
the voters hand. Now, no citizen ever
thinks to investigate such matters. They
would have TO 20 TO the State capitol TO
look into them. But when you Mace this
burden directly on the county. they will
be looked into, and the courts will cos.
less This change would vastly reduse
the expenses OF the State and tighten State
taxation to the extent that il increased
couny taxation Most counties are now
getting their court houses pad for and
lelieve majority of couniits could as
sumo this expense without an increase
In taxation.
In 1897 while serving in the Saate ssn-
ale, and the bill providing for redistrict-
Ing the State into judicial districts, ! had
the honor to suggest 10 some OF my con-
stituents with whom had some corre-
spondenee On the pending bill, that l be-
heyed that each county in the State with
as much as 10000 population. should have
dhtrSct Judge, The county paying his
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18

so as to expressly direct that In no case
shall sale be made for less than an
amount sufficient TO pay all taxes, inter.
est penaisy aud costs. The sheriff should
also be required to make reports to the
clerk OF the district court showing all
Gales made By him 10 individual purchas-
ers and the clerk of the district court
should be required TO make duplicate re-
ports OF the sales so reported to him by
the sheriff. one to the comptroller and
one to the county commissioners court.
This department has endeavored TO en-
force such requirements. but In many In
stances has been unable to do so. as the
present law is not sufficiently explicit on
the POINTS indicated.
| also recommend that the Twenty-sixth
legislature pass an act extending two years
the time in which owners OF land heretofore
sold to the State for taxes may redeem the
same.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18
ESTIMATES.

Attention is directed to table No. So
estimating the receits of general revenue
for the two years beginning March /, 1892
aud ending February 2S, 1901, which esd-
mate is placed at s5.l90,e00 Also in this
conf octioA your attention is called TO table
No. So estimating the appropriation neces-
ssry or desired for the same period of time
These estimates are based upon communi-
cations received from the heads of the
several State departments and State lnsll-
tutions, and aggregate for the first year,
$2,4l5, S3S20; second year, S229', io3. 20;
total for two years $i.7i3. 241 40.
Deficiency appropriations Will be nee
essary as shown i'll datail in tables Mo-.
81 aud 50, amounting to about $2lO,0nO /,
estimated expenses of the legislature,
$4,000; making total appropriation, es-
timated $5.O6S, 24l.i0.
In estimating the receipts ! have used
as a basis the actual receipts OF the past
year, assuming that TIE present revenue
laws will be IN force during the period
covered by the estimate.
These figures show that il the approprla-
lions are kept within the bounds OF the
estimates presented. leaving Il margin for
reasonable extraordinary expenditures In
public improvements, the State nj valorcm
tax rate can be reduced to is cents on the
500. In case, however. the legislature
should pass law conforming 10 the con-
stiuutional amendment, which is suppose,
10 have been adopted, appropratlng $780,
900 per annum for pensioning Confeeer-
ate soldiers the present tax rate OF q
cents on the 500 will b. required
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18
REVISION OF REVENUE LAWS,

REVISION IN, pEvENrrr, LAWS
inc demand made In the last state DEM
ocratic platform for a revision of the
States revenue and taxing laws il timely.
icsaiu ~oper le'isioh Oh these laws
| as of the greatest moment; IN fact, of the
greatest interest and Importance to the
state ot tbis ip,a rboro or. ,,,,r, scc.
sinns Of tho lave nc nov, IN oonfiict and
the metbod of collection 10 slow and i'm
nerfect
Irnder on, nrese,t taxin, laws ,,i,,i,,,s
of dniIars Of nersopaI nrone,ty asoana
,avot 80 th,e o,,, ~ aas.,,, naonh., 80 ~,
,oda -, ha., In t, p $780,, s CIV. nv
,,ansoi s,,,Sna,, A. ,c,- ~, 1891 ~ 90,
.,ys of Sb;s STATE Low, NV" ~, ,nist a rm ma N
f; ". .l 80 a..
d def exnenses gainst uI Land
| MiIlions of dollars worth 81 this 1and is
I,iedgad " sen,.,, " so ~ n's ra
m. no,,,s,,,i -. % a. InnS Nv, 80 ~.
! So, AZ n'od,o+s % ' m Ill t,sa ~ e.,
n,atn,;r H. oe,,arn,n, va -. ."N ~, ~
So ..od,n.3 ~ ;r any ..otm ~. .h
mortyage asainst If r mi the n,ortsape
.a,,,ot &c ~, VIII .ae M
49,, uasn ht anu 49,
.no'e, pass no 'Ia mina.essi' AIN M VIII.
W. ' i nav "nip'D piol9e .,
o,ta,1 EN- o rams aiiu Az our courts snaS
enJoy iui "nliuna.S irol'i TAXATION iheie
| ;...,z.-- -
iIip l,' no taA upon JANUS LOT one supporl
o. tne STATE governments. NoIapie among
o ,i,sse aie fenlsyivania ana New Jersey.
me auui'or general Oh pennsylvania writ
lng 10 me uhoer date OF November ~, last.
says; Fehhsyivania does not raise any
| revenue by taxing real estate, since 'ha
passage OF the act OF 1866, All revenues
| Tor state purposes are raised from tax
on corporations ana franchises from
waolosale liquor licenses from mercantile
ilcehses and billiard and pool room Ii
censes; from taN on personal property,
| winch includes mortgages, money at inter-
est. and at various other sources, all Of
winch are mentioned in Eastman on Taxa
| Ton In New Jersey, the revenue to
| nay the expenses of the State government
are almost entirely raised from tax on
| corporations.
THE real value of property" in Texas,
according to the abstract OF the eleventh
census Gs90), was nearly three times
greater than the rendition of all kinds of
property for 1898, the present year. The
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18
suER1FFs, CLERKS AND ATTORNEYS
FEES


rbe following appropriations We're
made to pay fees Of sherlHs' CLERKS anu
attorneys in felony cases.
Appropriation years ending February %
1898. $500, 900 February Is, 1S9o SSoo'ooo'
The amount required to take up ices OF
this class for the year ending FEBRUARY 20
1898, was 1858, 436.SS. No change in the
law existing prior TO the adjournment OF
the Twenty-ffth legislature became ef-
fectlve until September Is, 1897,
When the requirements of chapter 49,
first called session. became operative, the
Immediate effect of the operation OF TINS
law was to almost entirely DO away Win
the expense consequent on the convey
ance of attached witnesses, as only in oc-
caslonal Instances has ii seemed necessary
TO compel the attendance OF witness by
conveyance under custody of ar onicer'
This is strong argument in favor OF the
law in question and indicates that It's OPP
| erations are satisfactory.
Tho amount expended from March 10
September 49, 1897, was S1S2 ,65I.63. The
amount expended from September is, 1897,
to February 2S. 1898, was $lSnOH.4' y
part of this re1uc,ioA can be attributed
| TO the further fact that on DECEMBER
| tho requirements OF chapter o. mrs called
session twenty -Hilu ie6'St"suiS' "SAN '"No
effect. The provisions OF this act IN regard
| to payment OF fees in felony cases. apply
| to such counties where the votes cast AT
| the presidential election in 1895 was 5000
or over. In all such counties reduction OF
| 20 per cent was applicable 10 all fets.
With the exception OF the 20 per cent
| reduction, said law, in regard 10 fees in
felony cases, was re-enactment OF the
old law.
| The appropriation for two years aggre-
gated 5000 900. These appropriations were
merged In the opinion that the approprta-
| ton could be carried through without de-
fciency OF said 100000 there remains IN
| expended December /, 1895, $72706.09. 1t
| As very probable that there will be small
deficiency In this appropriation. OF this,
| however, definite information can not be
furnished until near the close OF the APP
preparation year.
The following figures show the total re-
duction In fees Of this character In felony
cases during the past two years:
The regular appropriation from
| March /. 1895. to February IS.
| 1897 ....,...... ..,..,..,.., iou,VuU
The deficiency appropriation for the
| two years ....,,... ...,....... as,uuU
| 49,.
A total for the two years. ....... 1892, 900
| The regular appropriation from
March /, 1897, to February rs.
| 1899 ...,..,..,. loo
|
A reduction OF ...............,s l92 900
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18
GENERAL REVENUE.

Reviewing first the revenue account,
there was a balance on hand August N.
1897. in the State treasury, TO the credit
OF this account, $49,7Sf96; receipts during
the year ending August 81, 1888, S2,959.-
$50. 80. Total receipts, including balance,
SCOOPS SIS. 81.
Disbursed during same period, s2,153,
766 49, transfers adjusting accounts, Si4,-
572.14 Total disbursements, s2.19S .3SS51 !;
leaving a balance on hand August 3l.1S9S,
OF ssh, 279.74.
While the cash balance in the treasury
TO the credit OF this account u.s. on August
81, 1898, shown to be SSH 279.14, there was
on October %. 1888, a transfer OF Sl3o,
3g1 10 made from this account to available
school fund. This transfer became neces-
sary in adjusting the remittances made
to the State treasurer by tax collectors OF
1897 taxes. The exact proportion oil reVe-
nue. and school fund could not be deter
mined until after the close of the fiscal
year, when all these accounts are finally
adjusted and balanced, therefore the true
revenue balance August VI, 1898, the close
of the fiscal year. was $3.50, 9SS.64.
am very much gratified TO be able
TO advise your excellency of the splendid
condition IN which the general revenue OF
the State is shown TO be, On the 2Ith Day
OF February. 1896, the treasurey resumed
a cash basis; that is TO say no warrant
registered fer payment, but on the con-
trary. cash payment has been steadily,
uninterruptedly and safely maintained.
deem il unnecessary to 20 into details
IN reviewing all the conditions that have
contributed TO the result above shown. \
healthy economy has been exercised IN the
various State departments, strict en-
forcement of our revenue laws in the col
lection of taxes has been observed. and the
money has been promptly deposited in the
state treasury; The collection of ad valo-
rem and license taxes has been much
closer than for any previous year as shown
by tho several tables which give in detail
all collections. As an illustration: The
amount OF delinquent ad valCrem taxes
for the past year is $4l,l66S3 less than
such delinquency Tor the year ending Aug
ust 81, 1897.
The SOL. 1lS.27 refunded TO the State
by the United states government under act
OF congress juno Z. 1895, and also the
amount Of S5I 500 collected from the rail-
road companies Of the State. penalty for
violation of laws, was deposited in the
State treasury to the credit Of general
revenue and Is included IN the Balance
shown OF $3.50 9SS.64.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18

Your attention is also directed to this
account, which shows the receipts AMI
disbursements during the fiscal year end
ing August 81, 1898, as follows
Balance on hand August 81.
1888 ......,. ..,............. Sll2.Io3 bi
Receipts during the year -. 3ooi,9iS SIS
Total receipts including bal
alce ......,. ..,............ 3lobio2 on
Discussed during sumo peniod 3,06s.9l2 20
Leaving balance on hand Au-
gust 81, 1898 ............. Sa7. S5
A similar explanation that given in
Che analysis OF the general revenue &C
count is necessary in this connection, as
the balance shown to be on hand 10 the
credit OF the available school fund on Au-
gust 81, 1898, OF $97, 1885 Is not uhe true
balance, because of the transfer of $780,
291.10 subsequently made from general
revenue TO available school fund account,
which transfer would make the correct
balance to the credit OF this fund ON August
81, 1898, s22S,0S0.95. In the main the same
can DO said OF this account us has been
stated OF the general revenue. Close COL
lection of taxes and increased receipts from
school land sales and leases have contrib
uted largely TO the Improvement or the
financial conditions OF the public schools.
The scholastic superintendent during the
period OF time covered by this fable WAS 81
per capita every dollar Of which apportion-
meat was disbursed by the State treasurer
during the first days OF August. 1898, a
month before the close of the fiscal year.
THIS Is the best recopd that has ever been
made OF the disbursement and distribution
Of the available school fund. In other words
the public schools are practically upon a
cs;Fh basis; every dollar Of the apportlon-
nient Of ~ per capita having been p,ild to
the treasurers OF the cities, counties and
school districts before the close of the fis-
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18

Following is the full text OF tho report
OF comptroller R. w. Finley. in which he
reviews the states finances for tins past
two years and makes recommendation to
the incoming legislature.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18
salary. BY such a chsars !, u.
having the courts to hev;r !. . ~

salary. BY such a char. !.
having the courts to BEGIN h ~ \
on-the first Monday ia e.cs 80 g
continue until business ~ AZ
'litigants could get a suedv ~.
of their causes; criminals vn,is l!
ly tried, and the heavy jaiI srr.s.ll
several counties very sreafiv ~
many counties the reductjon y ~
now paid by the counties vn Il i B
opinion. offset the cost 81 c,,sssa
and judges salary.
Jail expenses Is heavy i,en !. {
counties, and any wholesoude chsn.us I!
would insure the prompt adminisss,'..ss
the laws and not materially intr,.. 1,
taxes when considered in connstss. ),
reductions that could be made \. n
taxes, would. l believe, be a vIs ~ n ) !.
meet with the public favor
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18
Comptroller OF Public Account
They Have Rensnns.

WASHINGTON Post.
II will be perceived that the criticism
comes from the senators who we're not
invited TO serve on Tile commission.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18

chamberlain's Collie, Cholera and DIar-
rhoea Remedy can always be. depended upon
and is pleasant and safe to take. Sold By
all druggists.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18
TAX coIUJEcTORs, ACCOUNTS.


Table No. 70 gives in detail each tax col
lector's account. showing the collections OF
ad valorem, poll and occupation taxes,
amount of delinquencies. commissions for
collecting date Of final settlement, etc.
1t is gratifying TO be able to report full
and complete settlement with every tax
collector in the State. AN State moneys
that have been collected have been prompt
y. in nearly every instance, RENTED to
the State treasury. These officers nave
also been prompt in making their reports
TO this department with only a rare en-
ceDtion. and 4 take this occasion to COM
pl.ment them and to express my appre7
ciat.on for the uniform cooperation have
received from them in such matters as per-
tain to the collection OF taxes and the en-
forcement of the revenue laws.
Legislation is needed to facilitate col
lectors in making good bonds to the State
and county, 1t Is not an infreuuent case
where the collector is confronted with Sc
rlous condition i'm this matter. l beg to
repeat with emphasis what l said on this
subject in my report of 1896
The law, as ii now stands makes 1t a
penal off@nse for any officer charged with
the approval of suoh bonds to approve same
when amy sureties thereon are uon-resi-
dents of the county. (See article 21l, Penal
|
in some counties of "a strictly legal bond
by the tax collector"
To illustrate In one of these counties,
now before me. the taxable values, as APP
pear on assessment rolls for 1896, amount
to S949 GA The total value of all prop
erty, real and personal, in said county for
1896 owned by residents OF the county is
only S24S2.
The amount of tile State tax assessed for
1896 on the rolls of the county amounts to
$S67G.77. and this is the amount, under the
law for which the tax collector must give
bond. 1t will readily be seen that the
tax collector of said county can not, under
existing laws. give a bond which can be
lawfully approveH.
In the absence rf any valid reason why
the sureties should in every instance be
residents of the county, it is respectfully
recommended that article 27l. Penal Code,
be repealed or so modified as to afford
relief in counties where it may be shown
to be necessary.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18
WITNESS FEES.

+ The appropriation of $4,000 per annum
mase for witnesses In felony cases has not
been sufficient to meet this character OF
expense IN the enforcement OF the criminal
laws
1t is estimated there will be deficiency
in this appropriation by the close OF tho
appropriation year. February 2s, 1899, OF
$3.50 900 for the two years.
II requires an appropriation OF about
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18
The STATE REVENUE AGENT.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES
IN THE TAX LAWS.
wants Counties to Bear All the Costs
of the COurts--Rcvision of Reeve
nue. Laws Necessary.

Following are the recommendations
made by State Revenue Agent Colquitt for
changes in the tax and revenue laws and
the reasons for such recommendations
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18
THE cOMPTROLLER's REPORT.
States Finances Show Careful and Economical r1an
agement in all Departments
4 NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE.
Especial Investment Of the Perma-
nent School Fund Improvement Might Be Made
in the Delinquent Tax Law

ments Of permanent school fund for year
ending August 81, 1888, viz:
Cash on hand August 81 1897. sS61,S6l VI
Cash received during year end M
ing August 81. 1898 ........ 1.2S1 Jos 10
-
Total receipts of cash includ-
ing balance ,............ II 500. 016 %
Rod ........ ....s....,..... s5;s,7e2 IS
Transfer under act April II,
1892, TO available school fund 16s,o96 10
Total 49,. ......r..... s6S7,s59 IA
Leaving balance cash on band
August 81. 1898 ....... S967, 157 IL
Bonds on hand August 81, 1891. 81, AS, 022 "A
Bonds purchased during year. 442,790 90
Total s7,ss0,s12 n
Bonds redeemed during year. s92S,2Sl 20
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18

sI25. 900 per anuum to pay these fees, TINS TINS
Their Is a reduction OF about S4t,Voo ,Nn.
the two years ending February 20, o., a'y Nc
romembe red that tho expense OF conveying
Attached witnesses has been almost wholly
eliminated. which has operated as ma ma
tcrial reduction in the fees paid shefins.
In other words, the deficiency Is not an m
dicaton of an increase in the expenses ~ IN
CURED 10 felony cases, but Is due 20 lne
small appropriations made, as the nsules
show total decrease OF fees paid IN is.o .s
cases Of NJ least $4,000 for the two years.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18
FEES IN EXAMINING TRIALS.

|
An appropriation of $4,000 was made Tor
the year ending February IS, 1898. ihe
registered deficiency in said appropriation
on December /. 1898, is sl26O9.7o No APP
preparation whatever was maze to take up
| fees of this class for the year ending fep-
| ruary 2S, 1899.
This deficiency is caused on account oil
the small appropriation and not on account
of the accumulation of increased fees Inc
usual appropriation heretofore being wv
600 per annum.
II is hardship both upon officers VINO
earn fees provided for by law in the
discharge OF their official duties IN
an effort to enforce tho laws
of the State, and persons who are com,
PEELED under process of law, TO attend
court as witnesses in felony cases IN q
foreign county. often at great inconVehi
enoe and expense, who can not be PAID
because there is no appropriation, and are
compelled to sell their approved claims
against Uhe State at a discount.
/ believe it 10 be the part OF vision
as wall as justice TO provide by appro-
priation for such fees as are authorized by
law,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18
poNDED DEBT.

Refercnce is made tc table No. 81, which
gives a statement OF tho bonded debt of
the State, aggregatiug at this time the sum
OF 81, 900.
These bonds are held principally by the
school. university and asylum funds. which
are distributed as follows;
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18
APPROPRIATION NEEDED.

Estimate for approximation for this office
will be found in table No. SO.
/ have recommended slight increase in
the salaries OF some of The clerks, and have
done so from sense of Justice to the
clerk and in uhe interest of public service
Some of them occupy very important posi-
tons; they must be eiiicisnh and trust
worthy or the interest of the State and the
taxpayer viii suffer. / have graded the
salaries in accordance with my views as TO
the nssPcus bllity of The position and the
ability that Is required to render good
seryife-and this is dene with full and
complete knowledge of the duties of each
position, and ! bespeak careful considera-
ton of my recommendations.
! desire TO return my sincere thanks to
the force in bhe office for the faithful and
efficient servics rendered in dispatching
the enormous and constantly increasing
work of THE department.
Mr.. j r. Curl. chief clerk, has been OF
very valuable Assistance TO me in the man
agement of the business of the office. He
is thoroughly familiar with all the details,
always at his post Of duty--a man of fine
judgment. and feel much indebted to him
for his constsnt and indefatigable service
in the management of the business Of the
dor, a1,tm
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18
GENERAL STATISTICS.

You will find the statistical tables and
all the accounts with the State treasury
arranged in what is believed to be as COM
this report without making 1t too volumin-
Gus. ] deem it unnecessary to go into a
detailed analysis of all these tables hay
ing directed your attention more partic-
ulariy TO such matters as is deemed most
important
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-18

PHpAaAlNDNr SCHOOL FUND.
0salp ~ : sives recsipts sud disbusss-