WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1860
470
present embarrassment, than that we should drift onward toward a heavy debt and utter bankruptcy. It is by taxation alone that we can meet outstanding Treasury warrants; and a just policy towards those who may hold them, requires that the deficit shall be met and the reputation of the State remain unsullied. The vast patrimony which it was hoped would relieve our people from the burthen of taxation has been wasted. We must look to the pockets of the people hereafter for revenue. Our lands are yearly legislated ·away, and it is perhaps idle to hope that a change in legislation will take place at this late day. The Executive still hopes that the measures of economy and reform which he has presented to the Legislature, will be adopted. His energies have been devoted towards overturning corruption and arresting abuses, but at every step he has been met by difficulties almost insurmountable. The Executive had hoped that in case the Legislature saw proper to authorize the use of the money set apart for the public debt, he would be able to use that money economically, and thus sustain the government until the revenue from taxation comes in; but he has been disappointed to find that the greater part, if not all, of this money, has already been paid out upon the warrants of the Comptroller, thus making it essentially necessary that means shall be provided by the Legislature. Events may transpire to control the action of the Executive in reference to calling troops into the field for frontier defence. If the means are placed at his command he will be justly responsi- ble, if the country is not defended. If not, the mere fact that he has been authorized to call out a regiment of men, does not justify complaint. The Executive is looking anxiously toward a settlement of our difficulties upon the Rio Grande, but he may yet be compelled by the force of circumstances to call into the field the entire force at his command. If by earnestly pressing our condition upon the attention of the General Government, a resort to our own resources can be avoided, it shall be done, but the Legislature should, at least, provide for the expenditures which it has authorized, leaving the Executive free and untram- melled in his action. If left in this destitute situation, and re- quired to sustain the government, he should not meet with cooperation of the coordinate departments of it, he will, at least,
Powered by FlippingBook