The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1903-02-01
THE BUSINESS CONDITIONS
St. Louis Banker Says Not as Bad
In Texas as Reported.
MORE ENCOURAGING CROP OUTLOOK
Mr. billiard, Formerly a Texan, Says
State Should Make Excellent Ex
hibit at Worlds Fair.

Henry P. billiard. cashier OF the Mechan.
les National bank OF st. Louis, one OF the
largest banking institutions In that city
spent Friday IN this city, leaving yester-
day morning for his home.
Mr.. billiard was formerly cashier Of the
Austin National bank. going with that bank
when It was founded, and leaving Il one
OF the strongest institutions OF It's kind
In the State Mr. Hiniard was secretary
ana afterwards president Of the Texas
state Bankers association, and when he re-
tired from that association, 1t was In better
condition than ever before in its history.
1t was Mr.. billiards. suggestion that the
banks Of the State should pay per cent OF
their capital stock to the fund FOR making
an exhibit at the st. Louis Worlds Fair,
which suggestion was adopted by the bank
ers association at Its last annual meeting
Mr. billiard was for eight years chairman
OF the board OF trustees OF the Texas
school for the deaf and during his admin
lsratlon Of the affairs OF that asylum II
made rapid strides until now It will COM
pare favorably with any other school for
the deaf IN the United states. On the hrst
Of November, Mr. Hillard went TO St
Louis as cashier OF the Mechanics National
bank of that city.
my visit 10 Texas at this time" said
Mr. billiard 70 Post reporter before leav-
Ing. rs to see FOR myself the conditions
which are said 10 exist in this State
had heard much Of what they were, but
! was anxious to make a personal invostiga
ton. looked into matters carefully, aud
am OF the opinion that they arc not as bad
as reported, and there re even hopes OF
better crops than last year. There IS a
better season in the ground than for some
time during the past few years.
Il believe, continued Mr., billiard, that
the boil weeyil scare has been discounted
by the very action Of the farmers and
merchants In this State In that they are
taking SO much protection AMI are holding
their credits down SO close that while there
VIII be some suffering on the part Of the
people for credit, yet in the end, this con
seryntsm will he Of benefit TO the creditor
class as well as 60 the debtor
ST. LOUIS AND THE SOUTHWEST.
est. Louis, as a city," said Mr. billiard,
realizes and recognizes more and more
daily shc fact that she Is dependent 10 a
large extent upon the Southwestern terri.
tory, and they are cndeavorng moro than
ever to secure this business, Notwithstaud-
Ing the bad reports that have gone out
from Texas. the merchants aud financial
institutions Of st. Louis have every conf
dence In the recupcratlve powers OF Texas,
and It is the intention OF our people to
take care OF their customers and business
IN this State, feeling that when they do
they VIII certainly get their reward later.
AS an old citizen Of Texas and one who
has its welfare at heart ! should say. in
answer 10 q question as to what legislation
j thought most Important to Texas, suu-
hesitatiuciy that % change Of the present
homestead law would rebound 10 the good
OF the people more than anything else that
could possibly he done. II IS my belief
that the law should be so MS to lessen the
amount allowed for q homestead, SO as to
nrevent the frauds which are daily occur
ring. The law should also permit a man.
/ with the consent Of his wife, OF course,
/ 10 mortgage the home II they should so
stands IS n hindrance TO the honest and
an encouragement to the rascal.
Another important matter which should
receive the favorable attention OF the leg
islature ia the appropriHting Of sufficient
funds 10 make an exhibit at the St. Louis
Worlds Fair There will he at that ex-
position a class of people that are needed
In Texas. These people, most of thcuI
would never 20 20 an exposition In the
p0rtunity there that Will hardly come again.
II think, too, thnt the Legislature should
submit to the people an amendment TO the
constitution, authorizing the charter Of STATE
banks. I think the law should be amended
so that these State banks could he the
repositories OF the State money, securing
the State, Of course, By deposits " hp-
proved Gonds-such class Of bonds as the
school fund has now