Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/634

 could then, by a liberal policy which would give an alternate quarter section of land to every actual settler who would reside upon and cultivate the same for two years, draw to our frontier a host of hardy pioneers, who would not only be able to resist the encroachments of the Indians, but soon acquire strength sufficient to intimidate them. If this plan were adopted, and a force of Texas Rangers, authorized by the United States, kept actively scouting in our territory beyond the settlements, we would cease to hear of those calamities which now continually shock our ears Thus our frontier could be gradually extended, the lives of our citizens spared, and a vast amount of money necessary to protect the present scattered settlements saved to the Treasury. The alternate quarter sections reserved would be increased in value from the occupancy of the settler, while he would be benefited by receiving the land at the bare cost of the fee of patenting and surveying. I believe that the policy of giving land to actual settlers is a good one, but we should at the same time endeavor to make our settlements compact, and should also confine our donation policy alone to the settler and his immediate heirs, and not extend it to his assignees.

As one means of replenishing our exhausted Treasury I would commend the immediate sale of all lands which shall be found to be forfeited to the State for non-payment of taxes; and such legislation should be adopted as will induce the purchase of these lands, and give security to the titles made to the same. A rigid system for the collection of taxes is necessary, so that all branches of business and all classes of property-holders may pay their proportion toward bearing the expenses of government. Some means should also be adopted by which the various assessors and collectors of the State would be able to secure the payment of proper taxes upon lands owned out of their respective counties. It is a notorious fact that but few of the lands upon which taxes are paid in counties distant from their location, afford the State an equitable revenue. While it is not fair that parties should be compelled to pay their taxes on lands in the counties in which the lands lie, it is no more than just that the State should provide some standard for their valuation, where they are not so paid. I can. not too earnestly press upon the Legislature the necessity for economy in reference to the public lands. They are now all that we may draw upon for the education of the people and development of our resources. Every citizen of Texas has an interest in the public domain, and the representatives of the people should regard it as their duty to refuse to squander them in profligate schemes, or to meet the ends of special legislation.

The Executive would also suggest some change in the mode of collecting the revenue. The amount of labor required at the hands of assessors and collectors, when compared with the compensation they receive, is so great that but few men of competent business talent can be induced to accept the office. The Legislature should, in my opinion, so amend the revenue laws as to secure the services of responsible men, who can not be imposed upon. The task of visiting the domicile of every citizen in order to obtain the valuation of his property is arduous, and it is in but few counties that the officer is even reasonably paid for his labor.

The several railroad charters passed since my induction into office have met my approval. The terms are explicit, and in accordance with the general railroad law of the State. No charter will receive my assent which does not contain those proper guards against fraud, imposition, and reckless speculation