The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-23
MIR. LANE NOT PLEASED.
Thinks There Are Many objection
nhIe rentures to the MI.

La Grange Texas January 22.The Post
reporter called upon Hon. G. e. Lane this
morning an found him busily arranging
bis affairs preparatory TO leaving for Aus
tin on the noon train today. When asked
for an expression on tho proposed new tax
law he said:
II am not pleased with the bill prepared
by the tax commission. | think that there
are many Objectionable features in it and
that ] may intelligibly point out some OF
the objections I win give you my views of
the proper principles of taxation. To do
this must go back to the time when man
and woman were placed in that beautiful
garden, Just suited TO their needs. and
made so by Him who doeth all things well
and huildeth without the need of revenue.
In this ancient time 1t was unnecessary TO
raise revenue by taxation for the purpose
of erecting public buildings and to defray
other expenses of government now neces-
sary that our civil and criminal laws may
be made and executed. But as men and
women began to multiply and replenish the
earth Cain the murderer, and John Smith,
the horse thief, piled their svocation. The
strong and vicious imposed upon and took
| from and deprived the weak and peaceful
| of their lives their personal liberties and
their property. II then became necessary
| that these vicious rsurpers of others
| rights should be restrained. People then
voluntarily formed themselves into socie-
| ties conventions or legislatures, Just as
| you may see fit TO call them, for the pur-
| pose of promulgating, establishing and
putting into force certain rules OF conduct
/ Tor all mankind, prohibiting what is
wrong and commanding what is right
! Having formed such societies and having
! established such rules, which term laws
! 1t also became necessary, in the very ma
| ture of things that certain persons had
to be clothed with powers and authority
| to execute these laws. This being true 1t
! became necessary in some manner TO raise
| funds to compensate such persons for their
services and 10 defray other expenses of
such voluntary government. Now the
question naturally arose in the mind OF
every thinking man, how is such reve-
nue. to be raised and what portion OF 1t
must | pay for the protection of my lie
ana property by the government? Ger
tainly must pay sum equal TO that paid
by any other man; must pay in the pro-
portion that my property bears TO the
whole property of our common country.
II own 800 worth of property and my
neighbor $40 worth should pay ten times
as much ad valorem tax rs he does.
Taxation for defraying the expenses
of government was then and must still
be looked upon. and in fact is, yolun-
tary contribution Of many to defray the
expenses of government and such taxes
should always be equal and uniform.
This being my views Of the fundam entail
principles OF taxation a tax upon occupa
lions or professions Is repuguant 10 me-
The fact that have paid a tax for the
protection of my life and my property
carries with it the protection of my right
and liberty to pursue any legitimate occu-
patton or profession that may choose "a
follow Then why pay a tax for doing
something II | did nothing the world
would call me just a worthless vagrani
and the law OF the land would punish ms
as such. II | have money invested IN bust
ness pay taxes for its protection and sc
using II / make ii useful TO myself and I.
the world, while he who hordes the sans
amount of money invested by me and whc
takes IL out OF circulation pays no occu-
: patton tax because he has no occupation
and vet he is receiving as much protec
ton as he is who is putting his money t
such use as not only to benefit himself Blu
: Others also II an opportunity is presented
| shall vote against an occupation tax o
any kind.
Il am also opposed to taxing gross re-
ceipts of any person, company or corpora
ton. If the proceeds are the result dl
skiilful use OF property upon which thu
state has already received an ad valoreu
tax. Why pay this extra tax? II 1t i
said that the gross receipts of corpora
lions should be taxed. then why not ta'
the gross receipts OF every oneF
II shall vote TO tax the gross receipt
OF express, sleeping car. life and fire in
suranee companies. or other persons oil
companies that have their principal Of
fces outside this State and that have hu
little or no property In The state subiee
TO taxation. who do large business In IN
State and, as a general rule, deposit thei
money beyond the limits OF the state
favor taxing valuable franchises grantee
by acts of the legislature and which ar
not common 10 every one alike
Il am opposed TO that spirit which IN
spires the placing Of extra and special n'.r
dens OF taxation upon persons eonpanle
1 or corporations Of large properties on IN
j theory or reasoning that they ueed NOR
\ nrotection than men 81 small means Tbi
shirt among oar people is dishonest, IN
lust and is doing more to injure our Stat
than any other one cause think ~
purpose OF our tax commission shoul1
, have been to frame bill By which a