Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/660

 The revenue estimated to come in on July 1 ($343,344.27) will be much reduced, from the fact that the Comptroller has been, and is now drawing advance drafts on the various assessors and collectors to meet appropriations. It is also well known that the assessments for the present year have been suspended by order of the Comptroller. Property in the meantime has been steadily decreasing in value, and parties will not be willing to have the same assessed at any more than it will bring in the market at the time of assessment. This depreciation in value will be so great, that at the present rate of taxation not more than half the amount estimated will be collected. The ordinary expenses of government, about $30,000 per month, are to be met until the taxes come in.

The officers, many of whom are dependent upon their salaries for the support of themselves and families, should be punctually paid; but even if they wait until the taxes come in, the Treasury will then be without a dollar to pay the expenses of the next twelve months. The necessity for the adoption of measures whereby the Treasury may be replenished, must therefore be apparent.

Without considering the possible contingency arising from a change in our Federal relations, means must be provided to meet the deficiency of $817,827.10 mentioned above. But should Texas withdraw from the Union, a new condition of things will arise which will require large expenditures. In view of the possibility of such a contingency happening at as early a period as the 2d of March, the Legislature can not fail to see the necessity of making such provision as will secure the safety of the State and maintain its honor. Steps should be taken to provide an adequate force to take the place of the 3,000 Federal troops now in Texas. The safety of our frontier depends upon the action of your honorable body in this respect. A few days of delay may involve the most terrible consequences. Not only the Rio Grande frontier, but also our whole line of settlements, demand the continual presence of a force sufficient to intimidate our enemies from invading us in large bodies, and it will be the part of wisdom to guard now against the consequences of the removal of such a force. The expenses will be millions, but the lives of our people are worth more. Nor is this all. If we do not defend the outposts of civilization, the frontier must recede until we have it at our very doors.

We must also provide for the continuation of our postal service, so that our people may not be deprived of communication with the world without. If we are to become independent of the Federal Government, let us at once act a manly and self-reliant part. Let not Texas be subject to the humiliation of dependence on a Government which she has thrown off. If we are to separate, let us have the means provided for taking care of ourselves; and from the date of our separation protect our people with our own army, carry our own mails, and sustain ourselves as an independent people should. The Executive has that confidence in the people of Texas, to believe that if their minds are resolved on separation, they will furnish, if in their power, the millions necessary to maintain that new position.

The Executive relies upon the wisdom of the Legislature to devise the ways and means to sustain the government, and he can not but press upon the consideration of the Legislature (a large majority of whom regard