The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1905-02-02
The Governors Message.

This ultra conservatism is the
marked characteristic of his mes
sage to the Twenty-ninth Leg
islature. A microscopic examine
ton Of it will reveal no positive
expression or any other contro-
verified subject than that of taxa.
ton. AS to this he advocates an
advance in the ad valorem tax
rate to 20 cents as temporary
expedient. And in this position
he is so impregnably fortified be-
hind public opinion that his
stand can scarcely be called an
exhibition of heroic courage. For
the wisdom of his course seems
paIpable to the Current Issue.
Quite two years ago, when it was
apparent that we should have a
deficit, the Current Issue urged
an advance III the tax rate.
Events have proved the soundness
Of that advice, and present con-
ditions make it a duty from which
there is no escape. Undoubtedly
Il proper revision of the tax laws
will supply, not only the needed
revenue, but enough in addition
TO wipe out the deficit, even at a
less rate of taxation than that
which obtains. But meantime
the deficit will become greater
and improvements Of which sever
al institutions are sorely in need
would have to be deferred, to
their serious detriment. Besides,
this deficit is a debt chargeable to
the past, and it should be made
good in the manner of the past.
We perceive little force in the
argument that a temporary ad-
vance III the tax rate will initiate
against such taxation reforms as.
the Legislature may think desir-
able. On the contrary, we think
it will rather facilitate their
adoption to relieve ourselves Of
the embarrassment due to the def
lcit. Certainly the Legislature
will be in a better state of mind
to consider the broader subject
after having disposed of the pres
ent emergency than it would be
in the midst of It's harassments.
A final and conclusive argument
why the deficit should first be
disposed of is that whatever
changes may be made in the tax
alton laws will be in the nature
of experimentation, because no
, one can more than guess how pro-
, ductive they will be Of revenue.
The Current Issue reserves for
another time and place discussion
: of Governor Lanham's remarks
on the genera! subject of taxation.
That some revision is needed is
clear, and that it will be brought
about the Current Issue sincerely
J hopes. 1t is not among those
who affect to see no injustice in
: present methods. 1t perceives
them clearly; but in correcting
them it will insist that all be
treated fairly. Justice Is not
done by stepping from one side of
the line to the other, but by
traversing the line itself.
Aside from its treatment of the
taxation question, Governor Lam
hams message is a negligible pa
per, neither promptive nor deserv-
ing of much comment. We all,
for example, know the need and
the virtue of economy, so that
the Governors adjuration is quite
superhuous. On the subject of
: our land laws, one of much mo-
ment, in the opinion of the Cur
rent Issue, the Governor speaks
only few lambent words, and as
to the manner of putting into eff
feet the three constitutional
amendments adopted at the last
election. he has apparently, only
elementary notions.
1t may be said in favor of the
Governors message, however, that
it leaves the Legislature free to
exercise its own Judgment; that
is, that in making its course 1T
ndee not be distracted by the
thought the executive wants.
, The requirement that the Cover
: nor shall address the Legislature
= at the beginning of its session is
based on the idea that he will
take the initiative in lawmaking,
r Governor Lanhan has not thought
= it fit to exercise this prerogative,
1 80 the Legislature is left to con.
s suit only its own pleasure,