The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-09-18
The TsseInh and thirteenth Lszis-
Iatures.


L-Ael- tA- waco
During the sitting OF our last Legislature
and up 10 very recent period. we were con-
stantiy hearing complaints from the press
and people of the country that the action
Of that body was little better than its in
famous prcdecesscr-that il contented itself
with voting unlimited supplies Of the pub
lie MONEYS Ter its own benefit, and spent its
whole time IN useless wrangles and discus
sions over questions with which the pubic
had but little concern, and that the final re-
suit Of Its labors was a mass of special. leg
islE.ion and an utter sguandering of our
whole vast public domain.
These are grave charges, if true, and II
untrue their falsity should be demonstrated.
The works OF the two bodies is before us.
and If we reach a wrong conclusion it can
only be for want Of due inspection of the
record.
Ipropose, in q series of short articles. to
discuss these q1estiOns and what I shall
say viii be said In plain language, inteIliai.
BILE to all men, and based entirely upon fbe
written records and facts Of such general
notoriety that no one can have tho hardi-
hood TO dispute them.
And first, what were the local issues OF
the last calnpaign2 What did we REQUIRE of
turel
1. That they repeal that clause of the
militia law which gave to Davis the power
to suspend our laws; TO execute our citizens
at the will and pleasure of himself and
lirelings, and TO seize our property without
warrant of law, for the purpose of enrich
ing his followers
3 To repeal that law by which he was
authorized to raise a police force of vaoa-
bonds, paid out of the State Treasury. and
whose only occupation seemed to be to
travel over the State at the bidding of their
master and in the interests of his party. and
to wreak their private vengeance on our
law abiding citizens
3. To repeal the so-called law designated
the enabling act, by which Davis was au-
thoriZed to appoint his tools to every Office
in the State, and in most instances, in utter
defiance of plain constitutional provisions.
4. To change, alter and amend our school
system from well devised scheme of
plGnder, peculation and partyism to a
wholesome system controlled exclusively by
the people and for the benefit of themselves
snd their children.
.. ToabOlish aninfamous system of regis-
try and election by which the voice of the
people could be so easily frustrated, and to
so enact that in the future each citizen could
cast his free ballot in his immediate neigh
borhood, with perfect confidence that fraud
could IN no manner intervene to cheat him
out of his influence.
q. To reduce taxation and so limit expen-
diture that our finances might soon become
healthy, and our people cease to be OPP
pressed with odious exactions to be APP
piled to base and unworthy objects.
If there were other local State issues in
the last canvass, am not now aware of their
existence. Now the question is plain and
pertinent, ''Did our Legislature give effect
to those issues and carry out the voice of
the people?" Not even Indignant Radical
can gainsay but that it did. In the face of
captious opposition of Davis, armed with
the power of veto, and in the teeth of an un-
reliable Senate, it is known to the world
that our members watched patiently and
worked faithfully, in season and out Of sea
son; andheedless Of the clamors of the peo-
pie, who knew not the difficulties they had
to encounter and the obstacles thrown across
each step of their pathway, they went for
ward nobly in the discharge of their duties
and ceased not their efforts until they had
accomplished fully and finally everything
for which they had been elected.
The militia, police and enabling acts no
longer disgrace our statute book Our cleo
tions are now to be held in the good old
fashioned way Our school system has been
initiated upon substantial basis resting
exclusively upon the affections Of an intel
ligent people, and subject to no control
save theirs; and taxation is reduced to a
standard commensurate with the wants of
the State, and the abilities of our people.
We have to thank our much abused
Thirteenth Legislature for all these blessings,
and most cheerfully should the need of
praise be awarded.
" But they spent a great deal of money"
may be the cry. We will see about that in
our next communication. MADISON.