The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-12-18
The III custom Telegraph and the New
# EIt Constitution,

VI tIt Constitution.
TO the Editor of the Dallas Herald
In this hour Of general rejoicing
among the people OF Texas in the pros
pect OF the overwhelming adoption of
the new Constitution, IL is with pain
and sorrow, rather than anger, that j
have seen the opposition of the Hous-
ton Telegraph to the irresistible current
of public sentiment. The Itiegvdph,
after fashion, is the surviving palri-
arch of the Texas press, born in the
first travails of the revolution of 1875.
True, after chequered and honored
career, it died some two years ago; but
afterwards 1t was revived under new
auspices, bearing the old name. For
a time Its course was all that an old
Democratic American could wish. But
when the late Convention was called
last spring, by law of the State, and
the principles demanded in the
new Constitution by the people,
come to be discussed the
Tiegraph daily mortified its old
friends by leading them to believe that
1t had cut loose from its ancient moor
lngs, where liberty was anchored, and
was drifting into the treacherous seas
0friDgs, combinations, monopolies aud
trickeries, whereby and wherein the
rights of the great multitude should be
subordinated 10 the power of gain, to
the heartless, selfish, organized few.
In the canvass 1t made war on Il
usury law, whereby the toiling, pro-
ducing multitude should be protected
against the avariee of the moneyed
few.
1t opposed bitterly the election of
Judges by the people, and earnestly
advocated the old Federal idea of hay
ting them appointed y &
1t also advocated several other prin-
ciples at war with the Fundamental
idea that in free, representative Gov
eminent the people are the sovereigps,
and have the right at all times, to say
what Kind Of Government they want.
Now, Mr. Editor what did the peo-
pie OF Texas demand of the Conven-
ton?
They demanded ,isury law to limit
the amount of interest on money.
The new Constitution fixes the limits
as the People demanded.
The people demanded the right to
elect their own officers. The new Con-
stitution guarantees them that right.
The people demanded q reduction in
the, salaries of public officers. The
new Constitution makes the reduction.
The people demanded that we should
have but one session of the Legislature
every two years, with reduction in
the pay and mileage of members. 1t
has been done to an enormous extent.
The people demanded a total reform
alton In the courts of the State, so as
to relieve the counties of the most
ruinOus expenses and the people OF a
bankrupting expense in loss of time as
Jurors and witnesses. 1t has been done.
The people demandeda total aboli.
ton OF all registration laws, and re-
turn to the old system when every
freeman should vote by virtue of his
being free citizen of the State. This
holy demand is fully guaranteed In the
new Constitution.
The people demanded that the Legis-
lature should have no power to levy a
tax or appropriate the public money
except for the support of theState Coy
eminent economically administered.
This is guaranteed BY tie new Consti-
tuition. ~
The people demanded. that railroads
should be denied the power to discrim-
mate against persons, towns or CON.
munities in their rates of charges 70.
freights and passengers. This demand
IN fully comnlied with i'm tho nay ron-