Message of Governor James S. Hogg to the twenty-fourth legislature of Texas Page: 11 of 48
48 p. ; 24 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
MESSAGE OF GOVERNOR HOGG.
11
$205,172, due by the Federal Government to the people, have been collected
without agent's commissions. Judgments for recovery of 1,800,000
acres of land formerly illegally withheld from the State have been obtained.
The construction of the Southwestern Asylum has been paid
for. Public educational, charitable, and penal institutions have been
erected and improved to the value of over $700,000. And among many
other things that may be pointed to as beneficial to the public, it is but
just to state that the rate of taxation has been reduced 25 per cent, saving
the people over $1,305,000; and all the public institutions of the
State have been operated efficiently, without scandal, at the lowest possible
expense consistent with good order.
STATE FINANCES.
No better work can be performed by the Legislature than to remodel
the whole financial system of the State. To call it a system is a misnomer.
It lacks every substantial element of system. We have the calendar year
beginning January 1, the appropriations year beginning March 1, and
the fiscal year beginning September 1, with no clear legislative direction
as to how public accounts shall begin, end, or be kept for any period.
We have no auditor, and no consistent method of balances and checks
by which abuses may be detected or prevented. Be it said to the honor
and credit of the State, that up to this time the public servants have been
honorable and faithful. Notwithstanding the very indifferent system
alluded to, not the slightest suspicion has ever been cast upon the integrity
or fidelity of a single State official, nor has there been reason for
it. Aside from the safeguards guaranteed by good business methods, it
would be of great advantage to the public to have the appropriations and
fiscal years to begin and end alike, and to have a complete system of balances
and checks provided for. Owing to the embarrassments alluded to,
I have found much trouble in presenting to your honorable bodies a succinct,
clear exhibit of the financial operations of the Government during
my administration. Following, I submit for your consideration the financial
transactions of the State for each of the past four years ending
August 31, furnished by the Comptroller's very capable bookkeeper:
RECEIPTS.
The total net receipts each year from September 1, 1890, to August 31,
1894, of the State revenue fund:
Year ending August 31, 1891.
From taxes ................ .................... $2,120,493 17
From office fees ................................ 85,194 10
From miscellaneous :...... .................... 340,031 50
$2,545,718 77
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Hogg, J.S. (James S.). Message of Governor James S. Hogg to the twenty-fourth legislature of Texas, book, 1895; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5862/m1/11/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .