San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-26
REAWAKENING AMERICANISM

That the spirit OF early Americans
has not persisted from the earth, but
has been languishing merely for want
OF exercise, is indicated by the action
Of citizens OF two Texas counties in
holding mass meetings and adopting res
olutions protesting against inequitable
taxation in this state. The first such
meeting was held in McCulloch county,
and when announcement Of it was made
The LIGHT expressed the hope that 9TH
er counties would follow the example
thus set Now it appears that McCul-
loch was first in action only. The tax
payers OF Gillespie county held SINH
lar meeting day or two later, but their
plans seem to have been laid, sinful
taneously. with those of the McCulloch
citizens.
However the second meeting went
bit further than the first. Whereas
the one in McCulloch county resulted
merely in the adoption OF a resolution
calling upon the county judge, as chair
man of the board of equalization, to
reduce the property owners assessments,
the one in Gillespie county produced an
outright challenge to the Legislature to
take definite action to put an end to
the unfair practices whereby citizens
in some parts Of the state have been
forced to bear the burdens which should
fall upon the shoulders of citizens in
other sections.
In effect, the resolution adopted by the
property owners of Gillespie county is
in the nature of an ultimatum to the
Legislature. After reciting their griev-
ances, the citizens declared:
"This unequal taxation is unjust and
is in effect confiscation, which we as
free citizens protest. Therefore, should
the Legislature continue to refuse us
relief from this intolerable tax system
we petition our county officials. to re-
duce Our assessments to the same low
basis of valuation followed by those
90-odd counties that pay no taxes tc
Texas"
In other words, if the Legislature doe:
not redress the grievance of the over.
burdened taxpayers they will take thC
matter into their own hands and OBJ
tain such relief as in their judgment
will not react adversely to their own in
terests.
This they can do without violating
any law-at least any enforcible law
Although there is in the statute book,
a mandatory requirement that property
throughout Texas shall be rendered a
its full value-this law having been en-
acted during the Campbell administra
ton and never having been repealed
it cannot be enforced, for obvious rea
sons. theoretically it is a good law
but in practice it has not worked"
What McCulloch and Gillespie coun
ties have done, every other over-taxe
county in the state can do. But it ma
not be necessary for all of the aggricve
counties to follow the lead OF the pic
neers. If only the larger, or richer, cour
ties should announce their intention {
reducing their respective assessment
as last resort to protect themsclve
against further exploitation, the stat
government would soon find itself will
out operafing funds. ...
If a hint to the Legislature is nc
sufficient. the members of that body wi
be marked as the most foolish law-mal
ers of the times-and that would be a
unenviable characterization indeed.
The entire matter is in the hands
the property owners. Whether the
shall continue to bear unjust tax bu