The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-05-29
THIRTEENTH LEGIsLiTURE.
It's Record as Now Made UP-What Must
be Done to Complete It.

TO the intelligent and thoughtful, to all
who have devoted time sufficient to under
stand the situation, what has already been
accomplished by our Legislature is both
wonder and praise The most ardent
wishes of even the visionary have been real
lied. In reviewing this subject, the most
superficial observer must recognize the I'M
| told value to the State of the work already
accomplished. Among the many com
mendable works of the Thirteenth Legisla-
ture, we notice the repeal of the police
law. We venture to affirm there never was
in any State or country law made and at
tempted to be executed, that deservedly fell
under such universal Odium as the police law,
and all honor to many of its former friends
that had the candOr and moral courage, not
only to acknowledge its damaging result,
but to vote for its repeal, and thereby save
the State from a heavy expense, and society
from untold damage The election law is
another monument of honor the Thirteenth
Legislature have erected to our great State,
the beneficial effects of which we believe
will be realized not only now, but in long
years to come. The law as 1T has been
passed, if honestly executed, will Certainly
secure fair expression of the people at the
Bills, and with 9ttle expense and labor.
T6a,<,chool hi we heart emo, -
meeting trp 'portagt , or ooPIe'
in that direcfi6n We have all over the
State a we'll organized system of schools and
colleges, and all our State demands to make
the work of education complete isschools,
to furnish without cost, good system of
primary education. This we believe caR
be secured under the present law as just
passed by the Legislature and without burr,
dening our State Treasury. If we review
the vast amount of time and labor spent on
railroad legislation and the work accom-
plished and the grand results that will be
achieved, we must be forced to acknowl-
edge that we owe our Legislators a large
debt of gratitude and which we hope to re-
pay in part by sending them to represent us
again at the Capitol. This is the endow-
ment we hope to make of their faithful ser
vices.
We might enumerate many other import
ant general bills perfected with great care
and labor, passed by the Thirteenth Legisla-
ture, and vast amount of local legislation,
but the record is before the country-a
record of which all may feel proud; but
whilst we are sure we can commend easily,
without eXaggeration what has already
been accomplished, we must be permitted
to say to make the record complete and for
ever silence the abuse of enemies and the
complaint of friends, there is yet
an important work to be accomplished,
which, if passed by or imperfectly done, will
very much tarnish the record of the Thir-
teenth Legislature The finances of our
State are in a very disorganized condition
and iced immediate and skillful attention
Our State credit must be placed fair before
the world-the employees of the govern
ment, suffering so severely without any ad
vantage to the State, must be speedily paid
off if we would stop their Just complaint
and administer the financial affairs of the
State with economy. Whilst the spirit of
concession or compromise are prevalent, a
strong effort should be u tile all p
complications of State
the great work Of maxim ION
ored among the noblest Ron-
Eealths of the @orld. -
q =, .;4,--....l ReiEl
1eonstF snts wilEZ4[ZN -I..~<-2s.N4-Nes-,li 1t
may require additional taxation. This
adjustment of our State affairs by spirit
of compromise, affords the only solution Of
our present financial difficulties. It offers
| the only relief for our suffering officials and
employees of State. 1t is the only hope of
4 successful campaign in the coming cleo
ton The field must be cleared if we
would run-our forces must not he divided
we must adjust the complicated machin-
cry of State for harmonious and united ac-
ton. Ability in all departments of our
State government must be apparent if we
would claim the hearty endorsement of our
people. 4 defect in the finance will GER
tainly be fatal to just and accepted claim
of Legislative ability. The Thirteenth Leg
islature, to complete an honored record,
must meet and provide for the imperative
and pressing demands of the department of
finance. This done they may fearlessly
close the record, and leave the issues with
higher power.