The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-07-17

AN--lNl AeA--I e~'4 - -ote'
As measure Of Democratic state policy,
and as plan for the reformation 81 the
State government, would respectfully rec
Ommend the adoption Of the following res
olutiOn At county meetings for the election
Of delegates to the next Democratic State
Convention:
Rssoluod, That the old Democratic doc
trine Of strict construction Of the powers
Of government is the best and perhaps the
only means Of preserving our constitutional
government from the inr0ads Of higher
lavish, extravagance and corruption; that
this rule Of construction should be practi-
cally enforced in the administration Of the
State government, prohibiting the use Of
public means for private purposes, and all
local and private legislation as contrary 70
the true intent and meaning Of our State
Constitution.
This resolution is clearly sustained BY the
second section Of the bin of rights, and inn
peratively demanded for the purpose of cor
recting an intolerable abuse Of legislative
power.
There can be noabsolute necessity for any
local or private legislation. All Just claims
for relief may be provided for by general
law, extending equal rights to all who are
alike entitled, and if desired, the most lib
eral aid and encouragement may be given
to railroads and other works of public ne
cessity, by such general laws as would meet
the wants of the country and secure such
limitations as would protect the public in
terest
The habit of legislating for private pur-
poses has already resulted in extravagance,
corruption, high taxes and general dissat-
isfaction among the people-promising re-
pudiation and dishonor, together with such
other disorders as always precede the over
throw of popular government.
II the people would continue to be free,
they must themselves protect their constitu-
tional government from domestic as
well as foreign aggression, and rs there is
now evidently more danger from the former
source, let the people in their primary meet
ings firmly resolve to vote only.fOr such
candidates as are pledged to aid in this
reformation and to reorganize the govern
ment on such basis as will forever exclude
and condemn the use of public means and
measures for private or party purposes. The
peace and welfare of the State and the Con-
stitution as it now Is, alike forbid such legis-
lation, and it is the constitutional duty Of the
Governor to see that no such laws are passed;
which duty that officer could and would
certainly perform, If elected by the people
for that purpose.
If the entire time of the Legislature
was devoted to the public service, in
the enactment Of a more perfect code
of general laws-confdence would soon be
restored-we should have better laws. The
means and measures of the government
would be used only for public purposes,
and very small tax would afford ample
revenue to meet all public demands, and to
discharge fully and promptly all obligations
at home and abroad.
The officers and employees Of the State gov
eminent would not again be unnecessarily
delayed in the payment Of their just and
legal dues, and bondholder as well as the
aged and veteran pensioner would trust with
firm reliance to the honor and integrity of
the State. These and other good results
would follow the adoption of the rule con-
fning the Legislature alone to the consider
alton of public measures and to strict OBJ
servance of the organic law Of the State
government.
The practical enforcement of this resolu-
ton in all its proper bearings by the people
at the ballot box, would be a peaceful vic
tory more renowned than any boosted
achievement of American arms. It would
perpetuate the blessings of freedom and
vindicate the capacity of an intelligent PEG.
pie to govern themselves.
This reformation being accomplished in
one State, other States would follow the
example, and thus the Federal as we'll as
the State governments, may soon be relieved
from the alarming prevalence Of higher
lawism, extravaganza and corruption; oul
constitutional governments restored to theil
original design, and the friends of liberty
and good government made to rejoice in the
continued prosperity of the great American
Republic. G. r. JOINS.