The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-03-20

lature of the State CT Texas: Your I'M
dersigned memorialists respectfully rep
resent that they arc citizens OF Harris
county, Texas.
That the condition OF the people of said
county is now such, owing to the depress-
cd condition of. business (due. we believe,
to the ruinous financial policy, now en-
forced by the Federal government, which
has caused the lowering of all property
values), that the enforcement of the laws
of our State providing for the collection
of back taxes as far back as 1885,, and
Houston city taxes as far back as 1877,
will work, and is working, a cruel and
oppressive hardship upon our people at
this time.
That money is very scarce. and held at
high rates OF interest, and it Will be inn
possible In many instances, and very Diff
| iicut in nearly all, for our people TO pro-
cure the money 10 discharge these oner-
Gus tax charges at this time; and these
charges Will be doubled in case of fore
closure sales, with no hope OF better
condition of the money market within
the two years provided by the law for the
redemption of our lands from these tax
sales.
/ The times are so bad with us that it
is difficult fer our people to pay their
+ current taxes. much less these back taxes.
| And your memoriaIists further urge
| that in many instances these back taxes
have already been paid. but the receipts
arc lost, and can not be produced, and
against this misfortune the taxpayers have
| no defense or redress under the laws as
! they now are.
/ We therefore most urgently insist that
your honorable body devise some means
! of relief for the people against the laws
I as they now exist.
] And we respectfully suggest that no
: back taxes be collected which have ac-
crued and become payable more than two
years prior to the beginning of proceed
/ ings for their collection; or that the stat
I ute OF limitations of two years be mace
available AS d defense in all proceedings
for the collection of delinquent taxes.
We urge that the State. counties ana
cities should be held to as high diligence
in point of time in enforcing the obliga-
/ tions due them from the citizen as is pro-
vided by law for observance between
citizens: and that il the municipal credl-
tor sleeps upon his rights II had bett q
loose them then that the citizen shouio
have his defenses impaired through loss OF
evidence occasioned by long Decay OF sucu
creditor in bringing suit.
We desire to urge with all the en-
phasis and vehemence consistent with
proper respect for this honorable hody'
that the needs of our people justly cry
aloud for relief.
The homesteads of many of our helpless
ones have already been taken away IRON
them by the tax gatherer OF the city OF
Houston, and many more are threatened
We do not believe that benefcent gov
eminent will tolerate this onormity
though yelled under the sanction of law
and that it will quickly assist the rum
Gus execution of existent laws when founc
oppressive in their operation and insult
ed to conditions not prevailing when TN
. laws were enacted.
Orr people. We insist. are law abiding
but we admit that we can not view VIII
composure the homesteads OF our neign
, bors and friends taken away from then
, because of their inability to raise none.
during these distressing times to save
themselves and their little children IRON
the terrors of the homeless
. We appeal to our representatives U
: inquire into these conditions complains
of here. and not to heed the voice
those who profit by our misfortunes.
The evils threatened are Of the graves
character, and quick redress is demande
by every call OF sympathy, reason anS
patriotism.
We trust that this appeal will meet VIII
, that generous response from this honor
able body which, ever in times OF DANCE
and calamity, assures quick relief