Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-04-23

Of the three Southern States IN which cleo
tons still remain 70 be held, Texas probably
presents the fewcst practical difficulties. The
new Constitution Is liberal and progressive The
negro is placed On the fullest practical equality
with the white man in relation TO the privileges
Of the franchise and Office holding. There Is
equal Suffrage, with the exception Of persons dis
qualified by the United States Constitution, unit
such disqualification shall have been removed by
Congress. The DISTINGUISHING clauses of the
State Constitution deprive the secession Leaders
Of political rights; but they are not more sweep
ing than similar laws in other States.
The other points Of the new Constitution ci
Te1t., after the clauses providing for civil and
religious liberty common in nearly all the State.
are sufficiently liberal. Proof Of fact is to be
Justification for libel IF man can be proved 20
be a villain in Texas, it is, very properly, D.
harm for an elitor to call him SO. But the jury,
of course, is to Judge Of the fact Importation
Of ctoles, peonage, or slavery Of any kind is
prohibited. Education is literally provided for
A Superintendent Of Public Instruction, TO hold
Office for four years, at a salary Of S2,5lo. Is to
5e elected, who shall have supervision Of al the
public free schools. The Legislature is required
to establish system Of free schools to be sup
ported by all the funds accruing from sales Of
public lands by one-f5urth Of the total revenue Of
the State derived by general taxation, and by
an annual poll tax Of : on all male persons be-
tween twenty-one and sixty years Of age in tie
State No laws shall ever be made to divert
these funds from education. 10 addition, the
Legislature shall, if necessary, pass a law au-
ihorizing or requiring school districts to levy
special taxes for the construction Of school houses
in their respective districts. The effect Of this
lberality upon the future Of the State cannot
fail to prove most beneficial.
There Is to be a special Buren, Of Immigration. |
under the charge Of a superintendent, for the |
purpose Of promoting immigration. The Gov
erDOr is to hold Office for four years; the State
Senators, Of whom there are to be thirty-three,
or SIX years: aad members of the lower branch Of |
the Legislature, ninety in number, for two years
There are to be annual sessions Of the Lerisla-
ture. The salary of the Governor Is TO be $1,000
a year. The question Of the location Of a State
capital is 10 be put to popular vote.
The new Constitution is to be submitted to the
people at such time as President Grant may d.
rect That it will be adopted, seems almost GER
tain. Texas, like most Of the Southern States.
viii he as glad 10 get back to the Union as it was
formerly to leave II. The Democratic element
maniiests an inclination to accept the situation.
L Is even proposed that no opposition ticket shall
Re nominated; and that General Jack Hamilton.
Mr.. Lincoln's Provisional Governor, shall be al
Owed 10 walk over the course as Repuhl can
sndidaie for Governor, and that NO pc rson.
disqualified by Congress, shall be nominal Il for
my State or Federal office If the democ rats are
wise they will take this course, and u.ider the
ew constitution Texas may have cour Sc Of pros-
eriiy and growth unexampled hithe .rto.