The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-02-07
ILLS ON THE TAX BILL.
|,aed that The Commission Exceeded lis
Constitutional Powers.
HACKED PLAN OF OCCUPATION TAXATION
E.ry Dcnunciatory of the Duties of
che Revenue Agent-opposcd to
PunIshment of Liquor sellers.

Austin. Texas. February 6.--For nearly
hour before the time for the beginning
:, the address BY Hon. r. @. Mills on the
uhiect OF Taxation and Its Relation to
NJ Welfare of Texas the people OF Aus
In and those who had come from a dis
,,nce filed into the hall of the house of
representatives. Chairs had been placed
N the aisles for the accommodation of spe-
caIly invited guests of the members and
eli we're occupied. The galleries were
s,lsd; in the audience were many of the
fair sex.
Hon. John d. Pitts of Hill county, in
onening his Introductory remarks, said
The large audience which had assembled
showed the boundless interest of the poo
ME Of Texas in the question of taxation
The gentleman who would address the peo-
nile tonight was an authority on the great
economic question. Il hope that in his ad
dress there will be food for reflection on
the part of the members of the legisia-
lure who now have under consideration
the great problem OF taxation" He next
referred to Colonel Mills record as a
gallant Confederate soldier. He lauded
the attitude of the distinguished guest
when E. j. Davis usurped the powers Of
government in Texas. He then introduced
Hon R O. Mills of Corsicana.
round of applause greeted Colonel
. Mills as he rose to speak. He began by
saying that when he laid down public life
on the 4th of last March he never intend
cd 10 again take part in public discus
sIons; but he felt that he could not prop
ery refuse an invitation extended by the
legislature of his State. He said It was
reported that he was a candidate for gov
srnor. The people of Texas had showerei
all her hUnors on him. Il wouldn't have
The goyernorship If every man. woman and
child in Texas asked me to accept it," He
emphasized the statement that he had for.
ever retired 10 private life. He then
launched out into his subject. :.
Government, he said, Is ID necessity and
taxation is necessity. and 10 maintain
government the people must contribute 10
this end. The constitution gave the rignt
10 lay taxes, but the original contract WAS
with the people The principle is that
each Is to contribute equally his just and
proper share. In the early formation OF
this government and in the first constitu-
ton OF Virginia the hill of rights was
written, AT the conclusion of the bill os
rights old George Washington admonished
the people 10 keen in mind the funda-
mental principles OF government He smoke
Of his having in his carly days been in
siructed in civil engineering when he vas
taught that ne must always set his COM
pass. IF You find yol are wrong refer
10 the compass and get back In the + ght
path
All political powers were vested
in the peopla and the people haye
equal rights aud no special class
has the right to expect exemption.
Equality is the. foundation stone of
free government. There can he No fTee
government where there are privileged
classes Why 10 yon pay taxes? To create
a government that pays you back in pro-
lection of life, liberty and property. The
rule OF equality must be presery ed. JET
ferson demanded equal and exact justice
70 all men, therefore the poll tax was
levied on all men for the security of his
person Property WAS unable to protect
lisslf and men wanted protection from ite
being stolen or burned therefore each
man mus pay to the government in pro-
portion to the amount of protection he
reeded. A man who had $4,000 should
+ NNh 'llhNS ds luuNu DIS the man VINO
mad only $1,000. All property should be
axed on this basis. Equality of burdens
and equality OF benefits were essential. He
ssld he was rawhide hard shell democra;
ana supposed he was addressing demo
efaS' Many might think he was fossil
itea. He believed that government WAS
lor Tue protection of the people. Only
lnose who would not do right made gov
eminent necessary. man could not ad-
7 Nd stxa,,
and another next day and still be demo-
efat' Such man should go back TO his
COMPASS and ascertain his true bearings
la get back on the right line.
wlaton OF q principle one time set a
precedent for violation second time
Nhen you once impose a tax it should be
confined to person and property. When a
,aS on property is levied It should moi be
s'ieo on one class and not on another.