Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1860-02-08

, ou'es ana Texas, In accordance with the act ap'
p'o'o' oan' %, 1910; HOW Jar tiht survey has
Se" Prosecuted the Executive has not been able
10 teH.n, !, remains Tor tho legislature to en-
,,u no tue manner ~ when the appropriation
o' S.V,ooo maze ny the last legislature has been
expended what amount viii still be necessary to
complete tho survey, and make an appropriation
Tor the same,
\ wnnld recommend to your consideration the
/ propricty OF changing tho time for the meeting
OF the legislature, until the 18th Of December,
or some early period before the time allotted for
4 The Inauguration OF the Governor. Our expcri-
eneo under the present arrangement has shown
that but little legislation of Importance is effect
ed before the incoming OF the new administration;
and believe the change would result in great
saving OF money to the State.
So much trouble has heretofore arisen In refer.
cncc 10 our public Printing. that il behooyes the
present legislature 10 provide all necessary regu-
lations and guards against fraad and miscon-
structon of the law regulating the same. The
duties oil Public Printer, like those of all other
officers, should be plainly defined. The law should
provide against the latitudinous construction. by
which thousands of dollars may be swept from
the Treasury upon plea of custom. and cspe-
cially declare that the work shall not be "eaded'
but shall he close or "solid, and that no unnec-
essary blanks be allowed. The various reports
of public officers printed for the use of the legis
lature, should also be declared not to DO part Of
the Journals, and that they shal not be printed
as Appendices to them. The present law is de-
fective in these respects and commend to the
legislature the proprety OF so amending 1t as to
meet, not only these, but oil other objections.
Upon the action Of the legislature depends to
considerable extent the construction to be given
to the present contract for the Public Printing.
1t is for the legislature to say after the matter
has been fully investigated, whether the charges
made by the Public Printer for tho past four
years are correct, and in accordance with the
law. Ii they are not and money has been ille
gally drawn from the Treasury, 1t is not only in
accordance with justice, but precedent, that res
titution should be made.
In providing the means Tor disseminating the
laws, 1t seems to the Executive, that regard
should be had to the means most likely to bring
them within the reach OF the great mass OF the
people. DO not believe the present n0de OF
distributing them is calculated to accomplish shiS
end. But few individuals get possession OF tnem
and then frequently long after they have gone in
to effect The people have right to know the
laws, and the legislature should seek that chan.
mel of communication, which IL most accessible
believe that if portion of the money now OK
pended in printing was devoted to the publication
Of the laws in one newspaper in each county in
the State, or at least enc in each Judicial Dis
trict, tho benefit to The community would be fur
greater than that received by the printing them
in pamphlet form alone. a mnch smaller num-
Der in pamphlet form would then suffice, and the q
expense to the State would be but little if any, ;
greater. The cost of pu'is,ling the general laws
Ia the manner mentioned, would be but slight
and ir at the same time. by the distribution Of /
The public fun.s the entire prees of the State is
benefited to any extent tis an object for favor
able consideration. Nothing has contributed
more TO the prosperity of Texas than the energy !
md perseverance of her Press. 1t is a powerful 8
auxiliary to freedom everywhere, and when actu- i,
tied by that feeling of responsibility, which :
points toward impressing the public mind, by IL
means of correct information, with true sense 8
If right and proper moral tone, rising above t
he chickering's Of party or personal abuse it may =
,e relied on rs one of the bulwarks of liberty to
,e sustained and defended by every free people. t
would suggest to the legislature the propriety L
If adopting such measures, rs will urge upon q
congress the Justice of paying to Texas the bal ),
nee now in the Treasury of the United States, !.
n account of our public debt. In the present ~
ondtion Of our Treasury. this amount becomes I'll
Important. Texas is entitled to it, and receive is
t without delay. ~
The time has again arrived when an ezamina-
ion of the affairs OF the State Penitentiary Is
allied for. An investigation of its gnancal and ii
anitary condition is necessary that the legsla Z,
ure may be able to judge as to the legisa tion -
ecessary to sustain it properly
The law passed by the last legislature, which III
rants pre-emption privilege for every three 8,
egroes an individual may own, is, in my opinion a
ased upon erroneous ideas of the institution of
avery calculated to create distinctions between u
ch and poor, and to confer exclusive benefits he
pom one class of our citizens at the expense OF ra
ne other and recognizes the idea that government b,
bond to make the rich richer and the poor nc
oorer. In the eye of the law, all men should fir
and equal. To draw q distinction between it.
nose of our population, who have not been able 9,
acquire slaves and those who have, is IN my
pipion, impoltic and respectfully commend to
ne legislature the immediate repeal of the law. fir
l cannot refrain from congntuating tho legis
.ture upon the triumph of conservatism, as seen or
, the MANY evidences of the determination of % y;
,e masses of the people of the North, to abide r.
: a. ronot;tut;nn and the Union and To nut '"