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Chapter 15. The End Comes: State Revenue Agent and Other Roles
- University of North Texas Press
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Age, ill-health, weariness, and grief induced Captain Bill to leave the Ranger service early in 1907 and accept another position in state government . He became an energetic and controversial state revenue agent. In time, his desire to be a lawman would again be fulfilled, when he served as a bodyguard to Woodrow Wilson in the presidential election of 1912 and as a federal marshal in the Southwest for a few years before his death. As McDonald’s life drew to a close, his official biographer wrote, “He could wear out, and he might some day stop a conclusive bullet, but he declined to rust out.”2 As McDonald’s career in the Texas Rangers came to an end, the old group began to dissolve. In a letter to central command, Captain Brooks resigned, effective November 15, 1906. In it he stressed that “private business” matters demanded his “personal attention.” Two days later the adjutant general’s office accepted his note giving up his post.3 Then, at the start of 1907 Hulen left his position as adjutant general. Sergeant McCauley also moved over to Company A. He had been a key member of McDonald’s company for many { 2 8 3 } Chapter 15 THE END COMES: STATE REVENUE AGENT AND OTHER ROLES “Cap, you have eyes in the back of your head and can smell a criminal in the dark,” was once said to him, and perhaps this statement was not so wide of the mark.1 years. Of the “Four Great Captains,” only Hughes and Rogers remained in the Ranger service.4 STATE REVENUE AGENT: FIRST TERM (1907–1908) On January 15, 1907, Thomas M. Campbell, the newly elected governor , appointed McDonald state revenue agent. The announcement of this action took McDonald and knowledgeable people in the capital by surprise. The general belief existed that the new administration would take care of the Ranger captain, but the appointment as state revenue agent was unexpected. McDonald read about his new role in government service in a newspaper. As soon as he could, he set out for Austin to meet with the governor.5 Doubts about whether to accept the new position filled McDonald’s mind. Although in poorer physical condition than in earlier years, he still preferred the freewheeling life of a Ranger to a desk job in the capital. Furthermore, he disliked the belief that the new position was a reward for past deeds, with good pay but little or no work. In the meeting with Captain Bill, Governor Campbell stressed the remuneration—$2,000 a year—and the safety factor. He did not want McDonald to be gunned down or die from “going about in all kinds of weather.” The Ranger captain appreciated these thoughts. Then McDonald realized that a basic need in his life could still be fulfilled in the new position—to enforce the law.6 One newspaper concluded that, if McDonald is as fearless in carrying out his duties in his new office as he was as a Ranger, “his friends predict that he will get after the tax dodgers in great shape.”7 As state revenue agent, McDonald had a small budget and staff. This initially consisted of $1,000 per year for an office assistant and clerk; another $1,000 for travel and other expenses incurred by McDonald; and $175 for stationery, stamps, and telegrams.8 This small office had to see that the tax laws dealing with people, property , and businesses were faithfully carried out. Y O U R S T O C O M M A N D { 2 8 4 } [34.203.242.200] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 17:58 GMT) For four years during the two administrations of Governor Campbell—he was reelected in 1908—McDonald enforced the law in a number of different ways. He caused an uproar when he attempted to carry out the provisions of the newly enacted Full Rendition law, which assessed property at its true value and not at a fraction thereof. In addition, he enforced certain provisions of the Baskin-McGregor liquor law, especially in obtaining licenses, and the occupation tax against lawyers and other people. McDonald went after tax delinquents, influential or not, from those running business firms to peddlers of patent medicines. Most colorful and newsworthy were his attempts to make the circuses traveling through the state pay the maximum taxes allowable by law. In these endeavors as state revenue agent...