The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-28

ceedlngly questionable, many mistakes and
| errors have been made judgments wrong
tully taken and suits filed for taxes which
had hlen paid, Many OF these claims are
based upon the "old bond tax the re-
covercy OF which Is, In my opinion, not
only illegal but oppressive. in that, by its
collection, the citizen IS being taxed to
create a fund for the payment Of The old
hond as well as a tax to pay the new
bond which was given In exchange for the
cld bond, Therefore, the question is one
which especially invites investigation at
inc hands OF the city council ana appeals
/ Tor me Application OF a proper remedy
= luasmuch rs the legislature OF the
/ State has seen a. to give relief to por-
/ ton Of The taxpayers by fixing a period OF
limitation back OF which no claims for
taxes. not In judgment. can be enforced.
there can certainly be no binding inhihi-
ton against the city council affording
! relief 10 those taxpayers similarly affect
/ ca and who are not relieved by tho act OF
tho legislature.
! ] The city council. under the general
powers conferred upon it hy tho legisla-
ture, has the right and the power 10 cor
rect and adius, any wrong or injustice
which NAV appear 10 have been done 10
any citizen. Section "a OF the act Of 1897
after enumerating special powers cou
| ierred en- the city council. gives said couu
ell power generally to make and estab-
| llsh all rules regulations bylaws and or
finances which may contribute 10 and
promote the better administration Of the
officers taffarsl Of said city as we'll as for
the maintenance Of the peace. tranquility
Of said city and for the protection OF the
persons ad property Of its inhabitants "
question very much the right OF the
oity-sinoe the passage Of the recent art
Of the legislature--to enforce the payment
Of any part of the tax relieved against by
said act whether evidenced by deed judg-
ment or claim OF any kind, bur II ] he
wrong as to This contention. the city c1un
ell under the general welfare clause OF the
lief
It would seem that the general welfare
clause above quoted Is too broad and com
preheusive 10 Justify the position. that. 10
any general rule established there can
he no exception. II this we're not -
case the city would have no power to
give relief in any matter which may arise
between 1t and the citizen with regard
20 taxation, whether lust or unjust With
out this power incident 10 sovereignty.
the property G { the citizens would be liable
TO sacrifice and his rights to every species
az invasion | think this Is a matter over
which tho city council has perfect power.
Notwithstanding the seemingly prohihitory
clause quoted, and 1t may be well for tho
speetive aldermen, discuss the matter with
them and, II necessary. instruct them 10
take action for the relief Of those citizens
whose property has been purchased in by
The city and those against VIII nm unexecut
ed judgments. are held. II the city coun-
Gil VIII carry out this suggestion Il will. (
by diminishing the amount Of taxes now
claimed 70 be due the city and which Is (
represented by the two classes OF tax
claims mentioned, enable great many
citizens to pay off and discharge these
claims and receiver their property.
again, there can be no good reason why
this tax should be hurriedly collected n !
these citizens whose property has oeen
sold and purchased In by the city and
against whom judgments are pending are
MT able 70 discharge the fall amounts at
once, they should be given a reasonable
time 70 settle the amount found Justly
due without being pushed 10 the dAnt
OF having their homes and property sjcri-
fced by sales under executions as has been
done in many Instances. and the prdper-
ties put beyond the reach OF redfmptlob by
the taxpayer, through sales Of the proderty
heretofore bid In by the city 70 spelula-
tors. at a mere 1.-THE OF the actual yhlue
cf the properly. The city should adjust
the amounts represented by these dbels
and judgments 10 c7nform 70 the sAirit
and intent o, the late &C, OF The lesllsa-
ture, and then give the owner an opkor-