The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-28

moneys rendered by others than bankers
S2,577,097; notes and other credits rem.
dered by others than bankers, 81, 4s0. 1914;
amount OF shares OF capital stock compa.
mics and associations. sS,l67.ss1; miscel.
laneous property, sS7.s7o,275, In which
item franchises are included; railroads.
$6,417,616, exclusive of railroad franchises
assessed; telegraph and telephone lines,
| 1929, 30S.
| 1t Will be noticed that there is de-
| crease of S7iS,T74 In the amount OF moneys
rendered by bankers, and also a decrease
OF $500, 6SS in bonds and stocks other than
United States bonds. 1t is very probable
that while this decrease is shown, this
form OF property may have been entered
on the rolls by some assessors as individ-
ual assessments and is therefore included
In tho increase OF s7,175,S72 of money and
credits of individuals and shares of cepi-
tai stock companies.
This summary shows also decrease OF
S9s2,SS6 in lands assessed in unorganized
counties. This IL accounted for principal
~ by reason OF the fact that Encinal coun-
w was abolished by the legislature and
made part OF Webb county and is as
sessed as SUCH while the assessment rolls
for the previous year showed the assess
ments In Encinal as an unorganized coun-
".
Taking the work as a whole, the assess
ments for 1899 are of more satisfactory
nature than for several years past.
Inc assessors OF the State were in
structed by this department specifically as
10 securing the rendition of such forms OF
property as has heretofore escaped taxa
ton, and also as to all the requirements
OF law in securing correct and Just rendi-
tions.
me comptroller, In concluding his in
structlons to the assessors, used the fol-
lowing language; "Your attention is
especially called to the fact that large
amount of intangible personal property,
such as moneys, notes and other credits.
escape taxation because of a failure to get
full and just renditions. A great deal de-
Ponds on the diligence of each assessor
IN securing full rendition OF all property
that Is subject to taxation. An examina-
tlon OF the county records will often dis
close the fact that mortgages largely in
excess OF notes rendered by individuals
and corporations are recorded. Taxation
is burden at best, but it can be more
easily borne when every class of property
that Is subject to taxation bears its iast
proportion. You are, therefore, earnestly
requested to exercise your best efforts in
the correction of such inequalities as are
referred to-
An individual effort on the part of each
lax assessor along this line will, as |
verify believe. show wonderful improve
ment in the better distribution of the
taxes, which will be blessing to the tax
payers as a WHOLE
DEFICIENCIES.
Under chapter 46, acts OF 1897, the fol-
lowing deficiency acquisitions have been
filed with this department:
North Texas insane asylum for
completion of building for fe-
males -nn
Live stock and sanitary commits
sion ................... .......... A. 200
Quarantine department .... 3252
Iotal ............... ......... SO 952
An appropriation of $4,000 is recommend
ed to cover salaries OF special judges for
the two years. The last legislature only
appropriated $500 a year for this pur-
pose. The appropriation for the first year
has been exhausted and claims now
to $79396 have been filed with
this department which can not be paid.
because the appropriation IL exhausted
An appropriation of $1,000 for relief of
liquor dealers where local option has been
voted is also recommended.
There are claims of this character now
registered in this office for $31379 that
can not be Paid because no appropriation
to cover this character of claims was made
for 1899 and 1900.
Article 1898, Revised Statutes of 1895.
provides for refundlng taxes paid by LIQUOR
dealers in counties where local option
has been voted.
1t is further recommended that an an
of $4,000 be made for sub
poenaed and attached witnesses to cover
of attending court in counties
other than the county of their residence
Changing the venue of felony cases has
been quite frequent during the past year
which increased very materially this cost
The last legislature appropriated $780,
900 per annum to meet this character OF
expense. while heretofore it has cost the
State about $125,000 per annuam and an
appropriation for this amount was recon-
mended by this department.
In order to avoid deficiency for the
first year. the appropriation for the two
years have been merged. and 1t is now
estimated that an additional appropra-
ion of $4,000 Will be necessary to prevent
| deficiency before the meeting of the
legislature in January, 1901.
An appropriation of $4,000 Is also rec
to cover fees in examining
trials. This appropriation is likewise
merged for the two years in o-ler to
void a deficiency in the first year. 1t Is
estimated that an additional appropriation
IF $4,000 will cover that character OF ex-
,ense and prevent deficiency.
The usual appropriation heretofore made
has been 100000 per annum The Twenty |
sixth legislature appropriated $4,000 per
annum.
! desire TO emphasize what was said in
he last annual report from this depart /
nent in regard TO appropriations for this |
,haracter of fees, at is a hardship, botn
ipon officers who earn fees provided for
by law In the discharge Of their official I
lutles in an affort to enfcaae the laws OF
he State, and persons who are compelled I
under process OF law TO attend court as
witnesses In felony cases in a foreign I
often at great inconvenience and I
expense, who can not be paid serause
here is no appropriation, and arr com
,elled TO sell their approved claims
against the State at a DISCOUNT" 1t is 4
Believed to be the part of wisdom. as well /
rs Justice, to provide by appropriation
'cr such fees as are authorized by law"
An appropriation of $4,000 for two ad-
litional clerks in the pension department
# this office is much needed.
The work necessary in passing upon
bese claims, entering them upon record
with applicants and The
county officers is enormous. ] nave man-
.ged il thus far by the willing help of |
lalf dozen or moro clerks working with
ne al night and by detailing assistance
rom other subdivisions OF the department
when 1t was possible TO do so.
/ therefore respectfully and earnestly
a H.. H..