The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-07-03


An W ie
t9ea bilI 1 1
amount ~ an -'l ine
8 nes Rendered The Paste 6fnf. aH
which has been Is IS scctri 30 1on1
hat The matter Uin ha adjusted s. some
such NAY g the next winter session.
y alrs0 of ta5 experience u t| older
Sisters and tlc femendcos railroad camt
nations now charged with corruffinr nfh
Concfe ssi6nai and state legislation whls
lending liberal land aid to them. aococ ts
our policy before the war, We chartered nc
company without imposing such reasonable
safeguards and restrictions as were deemed
necessary to prevent combinations ~ ssit
lease, consolidation or otherwise, IS u pre-
vent the growing tendency to gigantic no-
nopolies, dangerous to the people and The
purity of government. The counties a
Dallas, Tarrant, Ellis Kaufman, Denton,
and, indeed, all our portion Of tie State
got all the railroad and local legislation
asked for, and have brilliant prospect ~
fore them.
We have passed laws to protect the farm-
ing interests; greatly reduced the road and
other taxes; redeemed many town coraora-
tons from oppressive charters; made some
progress toward hospitals for indigeal sick
persons, and in ways too numerous q men-
ton made progress in the direction Of nlti-
mate good. The burdens Of taxation in
sustaining the State police, martial law,
school system, public printing time lost n
elections and other respects, have been re-
duced in amount about s., 000, 600 pr
year. The proceedings in probate case,
and in scores of respects, have been re-
formed, simplified and cheapened
These are mere glimpses at the most ini-
portant work done, with Governor adverse
to most Out not alp Of the reforms needed.
and Senate in which, on some 81 the
gravest questions, our party failed 70 have
even majority.
To crown all, felioW-citizens, this Lecis-
lature has performed one act alone which
must command the respect and confidence
of every right thinking man in-tke land.
Instead of trying to hold their seats the
Representatives for two years, and the Sem
ators for six years from their election--evefy
Democrat in each House, and few 81 the
other party, voted for a general election for
everything, State and county, son the second
of December next, as we thought was the
true meaning of the Constitution, and in
order, at.the earliest possible day, TO let the
people, once more free, have a fair chance
under honest precinct elections, to select
officers of their own choice.
The Democratic party OF the Legislature,
deeply sensible of the misfortunes Of the
country, were yet daily met by the contra-
dictory and confused provisions OF our mis-
erably abortive patchwork called a Soon
stitution;n and yet more, by the fact that
we had no reliable majority in the Senate
and were always, excepting as TO some
points on the election question, liable to
vetoes by the Governor. On these points
however wrong on other questions, Cover
nor Davis conduct was praiseworthy
/ cannot conclude, without awarding 10
my immediate colleagues, Senator sam
Evans and Messrs. Chambers and Van
Zandt, as well as our immediate neiglibor
Hon. j. w. Kemble of Ellis, the fuitst
credit as faithful and indefatigable co labor.
ers in all the good work herein referred 10.
No people represented by such men viii
ever be betrayed by intentional action and
it is a source of inexpressible pride to shy
they are but fair and worthy types Of the
Democratic party in both Houses.
It will be borne in mind that under the
new arrangement of districts, Tarrant Ellis
and Dallas constitute the Twentieth Sena-
torial District, entitled to elect one Senator
and three Representatives; while Collin,
Denton and Wise compose a separate dis
trict.
Being a citizen SO recently settled among
you, though Texan from boyhood; having
received your confidence in so marked q
manner last year; having sought to dis
charge my duties without fear or favor, for
the good of the country; and anxious for
the people to know what has been accom-
plished-let these be my apologies for thus
addressing you. Your fellow-citizen.
JOHN HENRY BRoWN.