The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-09-27
THE RECORD.
Tcxas Taxes and Expenses Under
Different administrations.
Austin statcsman.


The very versatile Colonel Bill Sterrett,
who dabbles in everything from correctly
diagnosing the doings of congress to theses
Gu agriculture and a correct description "
dog fight had in his papers, the Gal.Dal
News OF "Wednesday very elaborate re-
view OF the finances OF the State from the
time OF Davis to the present. We would
liam of compiling the statistics he pub
lished. and therefore conclude they are
correct, as handed out at his request by
the comptroller's department They are
very full CT interest TO thinking Texans
who have the welfare of their State at
heart.
Among other things, they show as fol
lows That while the total warrants, is
sued under the first year OF the democrats
administration OF Coke and Hubbard. 1874.
amounted to Si,36S.l74 .So. that under the
first year OF Culberson's administration
the amount had climbed to S2,S2g,4l4. o.
or an Increase OF $500 929 &c. However
there had been three higher years of eN-
pense IN the interval, Under Hogg, as fol-
lows: 1892, $4,000, 52l25; 1898. S244O,Tli32,
and 1894, S2,6Ol, 4s719. The figures quoted
for Culberson's administration were for
the first year, a steady decrease being
noted since then, and this year Of 1898
Icing estimated at S2,lT5,325l3.
This increase OF expenditure because OF
the natural growth Of the State from the
year 1874 to 1895 OF almost 81 ,000,00 be-
comes more significant when the rate Of
taxation Of the two years are compared.
In 1874 both general revenue and the school
tax were Jumped together, while since 1854
they have been divided II Is not known
how the total revenue was prorated be-
tween the two funds in 1874, but from the
population of the State at that time II Is
to be supposed most OF the taxes ralseu
went TO general revenue. The tax thsn
for 1874, tor all purposes, WAS 80 OH the
500. while in 1925 IL was % for general
revenue ana 20 for the school fund. For
the last three years, however. of Govere~
Culberson S administration the tax for both
purIo es has been cut down to 20 for gen
eral revenue and rs for school purposes.
Hence. for the past three years while the
expenses annually have been over three
quarters of a million more than In 1874,
and a vast number more of school children
propcrtlonately have been educated the
total tex rate is .l2 less on the 500 than
then.
This is an excellent showing for culber-
sons administration as compared with that
of Coke aud Hubbard. but unthnking CRIT
les may contend that It IS bad
when compared with Ross and
Hogs, because the tax mte was so
much higher than theirs. littis explana-
ton Will eXpel this delusion. Ross began
his administration in 1887 with Go Tor gen
eial and l2la for school tax. The next
year he dropped TO 10 for general ana
.l23s for school tax. In 500 he had jumped
10 90 for general and l2i2 fer school tax
bat
Ross TO thus cut the general revenue taA
must be recalled. tie received a very
large sum Of money back from the general
government that put orr treasury IN such
a plethoric condition that he had to cal!
an extra session OF the legislature to help
him get the money out among the people.
His cut of the tax rate was legitimate.
and did the State no harm save for the
bad example 1t set, When Governor IIogg
came into power this example was I'M
proved upon, His first year he cut Ross
rate from 20 TO 10 % for general reVe-
iue. not disturbing the school tax. The
next year i was cut TO Is and there re-
NAMED for the balance Of his term OF Of
flee. The result was not far to seek, es-
pcc'dlly as the expenses OF the last three
years OF his administration far exceeded
the highest wear under Culberson. The
result was deficiency for Hogg, as
legacy to Culberson OF S76S 1924 in the
general revenue, and $Gs7 o20 30 in the
available school fund. Two things were
abs olutely necessary for Culbcrson, rigid
economy and increasing the tax rate FOR
the general revenue as well as the school
find. This latter was promptly done, the
rates being fixed at ,25 for general revc-
nue. aud 20 for the school fund. This at
once told on the condition of affairs, oepe
cially as the expenses for the first year
were cut almost 5000, 600 below the last
year Of the Hogg regime The second year
under Culberson the rates were cut to 20
for general revenue and rs for the school
fund. where they have since remained and
81 should continue for some years yet.
Under The increased tan rate and the econ
omy OF the CulberSon administration the
entire Hogg deficit has been wiped ou,.
the school children have had longer school
terms, with their per capita Increased from
| 81. 80 TO 81 30, and a net balance will be
left in the treasury upon Governor Cul
btrsou's retirement This is IN admirable
record for Governor Culberson. and the
facts reclted should be taken rs guide for
future administrations.
The patent iesson Is that Texas can not
| afford TO be too generous 10 the tax paye-
at the expense of the perfect conduct OF
the State's business II is poor policy 10
cut the tax and hawk around State war
rants Ia the detrment Of those whom the
| state owes and 10 tho Impeachment Of the
Il
| business sense Of the State. Our presen NJ
tax rate Is lower than almost any State
of tho Union. Texas is one Of the young
| est states and has a world of work ahead
Of her before she has her eleemozynary
! institutions. her university and all her cd
irrational plans perfected In such style
| as will DO her credit and accomplish the
/ best of which they are capable. Until such
/ : me arrives Il would be tho part OF wis
| dom to go very slow in cutting down the
/ tax rate The best az democratic economy
| should he observed yet all needful work
should be done. This will require all the
| states resources II done in prayer way,
! when the state is fully equipped With all
! she reat'irfs 20 make her an example TO
other States IN the way she deals with her
unfortunate insane. blind. and other de-
I pendonts. and has her educational system
! grandly equipped than. II there is sur
! Mus in her treasury II will be time TO cut
! the tag rate. Not before
Bayard Dying.
Dedham. Mass, September 2e.-
Thomas Bayard sank gradually all day