The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-09-17
LETTER FROM TIE CAPITOL.
AUSTIN, September 10, 1876.


AUSTIN September 49, 1876.
10 the Editor OF the Dallas Herald;
You will have noticed that there has
been two parties in the Convention
who desire action on the subject OF the
election of Legislature at the time
now provided by law In December
next. The first was introduced by Mr..
DeMorse, the other by Mr.. Brown, OF
Dallas. Both these gentlemen are OLD
Texans, men of large experience in
public life, lovers of law and good or
der; conservators OF peace, whose
hearts are fountains, ever pouring
forth the gentle streams OF solace, COM
fort and good will TO the people. In
deed, one only has to see them in their
daily walks to almost realize the TACT
that they can stand in the centre Of our
great State, one facing the east, the
other the west, and with extended
arms fold TO their bos0ms, each his
half, in the tenderest embrace, and
touchingly impress the sweetest kiss of
the warmest Election. This exhibits
n noble spirit and is worthy of imita-
ton; but with all this, should we not
warn these gentlemen to be careful.
And, to make long story short, l
take the position that the work OF the
Convention is no more than Il
piece of blank paper until the
people shall have ratified it ut the
balot-boX. Now, existing law
makes it the duty of the Governor to
order al election, in December, for II
Legislature and fill vacancies in c0un-
ty officials and for an Assessor and
Collector in each county; then, how
can this Convention prevent the Gov
ernor from doing what the present
Constitution and laws compel him to
do? A convention cannot make laws
except organic, and the Constitution
they may make is nothing, in fact,
until ratified by the people. See the
difficulty. Suppose the Convention
should prevent an election in Deem
Der next, and provide for the election
of Legislature when the people vote
to ratlfy the Constitution, aud there
should be failure to adopt, what
would be our situation? Can you tell?
Every man in the State can at once
see the trouble. II the Governor
should fail, by action of the C0nven-
ton, to order an election of wha would
be the fifteenth Legislature, would
the fourteenth Legislature hold over
and be subject to u cOnvOcati0n by the
Governor? These matters doubtless
will be satisfactorily settled, but how |
will not venture to say. | must here
allude to the fact of the great over
sight, If not wanton neglect of duty,
in the fourteenth Legislature in not
providing for an earlier meeting of tho
Convention.
But, rs / have said, there are men
here who can and will lead us safely
through these and all other difficulties.
| can see one path, and who knows
but it may be widened and made the
highway to reach the haven of rest for
our State. Let the Convention round
oil the Constitution in time to have il
submitted to the people in December,
vt which time elect all State aud
county officials and Legislature,
and if the people endorse the work of
the Convention, then let all move Off
harmoniously. Then we can mark
the date of the new era in Texas with
distinguished pride worthy great
State. would not unnecessarily
hurry the work-so important II work
rs the making of u Constitution-but
If this can be done it seems to me
it would open out the road to reach the
desired end.
The people of Texas have nothing to
fear from this body-men of ability
Al md nf hau
who have keenly felt the abuses and
expressions under our present Consti-
tuition, and who are well prepared to
calmly make the necessary reforms.for
economy in Government.
Look, if you please--tell all your
readers to look--at the difference In
the distance from Austin to the va
rious counties rs measured by the Four
teenth Legislature and this Conven-
ton. The measui ement now make
the amount over 900 less. Even this
small amount would lessen. your taxes
and mine. To give you an item, the
distance from Dallas in 1874 was $50
miles, and now it is only 400; to
Waxahachie in 1874 it was gao miles,
now it is only $40 (the same the Hon.
Mr., Kimble of the House drew for) !;
to Mckinney in 1874 I'D miles, and
now GAO. Look at it! Money is power,
and distance sometimes lends enchant-
ment to the view. Blot from the mind
the torturing cancer and the foul slur
from the American heart, that offices
We're created to make men rich, and
harmony and good feeling will pre-
vail, and confidence and n feeling of
security will be restored. L.