The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-17
FROM THE CAPITAL CITY.
Synopsis Of The Report Of the State Reye.
nue. Agent.
RECOMMENDS SEVERAL CHANGES IN LAWS
No Great Trouble Expected Because
of the Lapse Of Isxtradition
Treaty with Mexico.

| Austin. Texas. December 16. State Rev.
enue Agent Colquitt's report will be issued
\ in few Gays by the printtns. Advance
proofs show that MIR. Colaultt has done his
work we'll. He says:
| 1T is not only the large counties thar
are lax In enforcing occupation tax coIiec-
tions. but the smaller ones as we'll II is
| important. therefore, that every county
should be visited. Nearly ali tho collectors
ana clerks are reporting promptly and the
correspondence vi this office has grown
large"
He says There liz great need Tor changing
| the dates OF the termination of the fiscal
year, as much confusion now results be-
| cause OF every department having a differ
ent date on which TO report and in many
instances everybody disregards Through
necessity, the date set by law.
II suggest that 1t be recommended to the
next legislature that June 80 be made the
termination of the fiscal year. and that it
also be made the termination OF the ap-
preparation year. and that adj department
and institution reports be required to con-
form TO that date" He gives many cogent
reason why this should be done, the BEN
efits to accrue from the change would more
than compensate for the trouble necessary
to make II.
Under the head OF statistics he gives by
counties the number OF whisky and beer
licenses issued, 1858 of the former and 2134
OF the latter. A number of counties have
made no reports. though repeatedly re-
que5beh 10 do go. number OF counties
are reported having local option, but
some of them are known to have had Fed
eral licenses Issued. There are fifty-five
counties under the operation of the local
option law.
There are 3497 attorneys In the State. the
number by counties being given; Dallas
has 23i of them.
The amount of cash rendered for tax
alton by banks was IS. 900, SOS and by indi-
vidlials S5,s64, 416; but sworn statements
show that the National banks alone held
s47 900, i55 in cash. Mr.. Co,Quitt says:
with proper law this vast amount could
be reached and be made to bear its share
of the governments maintenance. A sum
equal to one-twenty third of the total as
sessed values of the State for 1895 es-
capes taxation altogether
The tax values on real and personal
property for 1898 are given at $3.50, 9SS, l76.
OF Sl,246, $685. less than they were placed
at by the United States census of 1890, eight
years ago.
For failure TO pay franchise tax, $3.50
domestic corporations OF S456 have forfeited
their charters. though he says: My OBJ
servatton Is to the effect that most of these
corporations with forfeited charters con-
tdnue to do business as CORPORATIONS. By
~"
lection of this franchise tax, the State
loses much revenue that 1t could coliec:
with but little cost for collection"
The cost of assessing and collecting The
taxes for 1897 was 1887 ,2S6 %, or ga per
cent. The delinquent poll taxes show q
total from 1884 to 1897. inclusive, of 81
500 1917 9S, while w. redemptons OF land
only to s5Si,121 II.
Mercantile agency reports show 27,1bo
merchants IN Texas; the tax rolls show
only 20.311,
He regards a revision OF the tax laws as
OF the greatest moment. Under our ul rs
emit taxing laws millions of dollars of ner-
sonsl property escape taxation that can
easily be reached. = AS now enforced
the tax laws of this State levy an unius.
and unfair proportion of the revenue needed
against land. -
The cost of the courts. especially in Grim
inal cases. has not been materially oe-
He recommends that the entire
cost of the courts be levied AGAINST tie
counties.
When compared TO other States, All
kinds of corporations in Texas pay but d
portion of what they should be required &C
pay in the Form of taxes"
He concludes with several recommenaa-
lions as to changes in The tax laws %
make them moro effective.