Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1901-01-16

mitted that the aggregate Of all appro-
priations, and also Of all liabilities of
whatever character that may be incurred
in consequence of further legislation
for the two years named, should not in
any event be more than $5,250,000, and
this to include the cost Of Legislative
session. To appropriate or legislate be-
yond this amount without an increase
of taxation, would be hazardous to the
credit Of the state and would almost
certain send its warrants to discount.
"a cash balance does not necessarily
imply surplus, and it it should be
borne well in mind that the receipts to
the general revenues during January,
February and March exceed by more
than one-half all that accrues to that
fund during the entire fiscal year, and
that those for June, July, August, Sep
TENDER and October are not, by one-half
equal to the ordinary and usual expen-
ditures of the government dnring the
same months; and further, that at no
time should there be in the treasury and
to the credit of the general revenue less
than $3.50, 900 for a working balance
These suggestions are pertinent and per-
haps necessary, because of the general
belief that the state has now a redundant
treasury. Such is not the case. The
finances, however, are i'll good condition
and can be easily so maintained if
proper economy be observed.
1.-THE aggregate of the estimates by
the several departments and branches of
the public service appears to be unduly
large and much beyond the probable
receipts under the revenue producing
laws now in force, and it is recommend
ed, with emphasis, that they be care
fully examined, and that appropriations
be made for such purposes only as are
essential to an efficient administration
economically conducted, and within the
limit designated.
Permanent Free School Fund.
"On Sept 1, 1893, there belonged to
this fund 10, 1898 acres of land. Since
then this acreage has been increased
through cancellation of sales and forfeit
ure of purchases by l,066,S35 acres.
Under the acts of April 20, 1899, and
Feb. 23, 1900, it received an additional
increase Of 5,879,17 acres. So that, after
deductinp 6O52 ,s78 acres sold during
the previous two wears. there remained,
ON Sept. 1, 1900, to the permanent school
fund, balance Of 20,613,5 27 acres. The
fund has been very materially impaired
through the legislation of recent years.
Especially so in the reduction of the
price Of land, lowering of the rate Of in
| teragt and fine nVtension of fine nav
ments from ~ 20 Az years.
1.-The state face to face with the
problem OF ma1ntaining an eiiicient sys-
tenn OF puplic zee schools Tor It's rapidly
8 = d na telrl re,
CURED by the constitution, and the
proposition IS now and Will continue to
be whether this important work can be
accomplished without increasing the tax
rate. 1t must be clear to everyone that
additional taxation can be prevented
only through an intelligent and watch
ful administration Of the fund.
In addition to the lands, the perlna-
nent school fund, on Dec. /, 1900, own
ed and held $Sl ,747,2S4.7l III cash and
IN state, county, city and railway bonds
and land notes. The aggregate OF such
holdings, ON Dec. !, 1898, was $lo, e91,-
oIS.s4. 1t Will, therefore, be seen that
there has been a net gain IN land to the
tund, during the two years named Oh
S9S, lSS acres, and IN money bonds and
notes OF S5,s49,6 46.47.
Available School Fund.
"This fnnd. now consisting of land
rentals. interest.on bonds and notes be-
longing 10 fine nermanent fund and re-
ceipts through taxation. for the two
wears ending Aup. n 1898 amounted
to 49, 12e. $40, rs In This amount. how
ever. is inclnded 1884 .07s. 90 of the min
| =, .