The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-01-15
THE aovEmNoR,s MESSAGE.

This document Is an eloquent and
elaborate review of our late and pres.
ent political condition, and very
comprehensive statement of all the
affairs of the state. Its unusual length
prevents its reproduction in these col
umns, but brief synopsis of its con-
tents will be Of interest.
The governor refers to the conspiracy
OF the radicals to get possession of the
state at the beginning of his term, to
the present prosperity of Texas, and
the early prospect of reform 10 ma.
tional affairs, and counsels obedience
to the constitution and laws of the
United States and Texas, and the edu-
cation Of the people.
A constitutional convention to as.
semble in April is recommended.
The prevalence of crime and lawless-
ness is abating, owing to a more rigid
enforcement of the law. According to
partial reports from about one-thrd of
the counties, out of 1851 trials on diff
ferent criminal charges, there were 9sl
convictions.
The report of the inspector of the
penitentiary shows that on the first
day of September, 1873, there were in
that institution eight hundred and
eighty-three c0nvicts, and that from
tn IN, hA H..
1874, period of one year, eight hun
dred and fifty three convicts were re-
ceived an average of fraction over
seventy-one per month, and coming
within thirty of the entire number he
fore that time in the penitentiary. This
exhibit includes only felony convic-
tions. When to this is added the great
number of convictions for misdemean-
Ors and minor offences, 1t Is believed,
taking population as the basis for COM
parison, that no state in the union can
show so much vigOr in the enforce
ment of criminal laws as these results
show in Texas.
The powers of sherifIs should be in
creased by permitting them to pursue
fugitives beyond the limits of their
county, and execute criminal process.
directed to them, in any county In the
state. As q proper predicate for the
rigid personal responsibility to which
they should be held tor the safe keep
ing Of their prisoners, sheriffs should
be relieved of their present depend
ence on county courts for means for
this purpose, when the county author
tiles fail to provide secure Jail.
There should be contingent fund
placed at the command of the governor,
TO use as the public interest may re-
quire, In employing detectives, coun-
sci for the state, etc., when necessary.
In view of the occasional necessity
rs shown by recent experience of q
special constabulary force To aid the
civil authorities mi overcoming combi-
nations too powerful for them to deal
with, and Of the difficulty of getting
together at any time, company COM
posed of citizens following their usual
avocations, besides the loss devolved
on many Of them If compelled to leave
their homes and business, ] suggest as
worthy of consideration, the expedi-
ency 0fa law authorizing mot requir-
ing the governor, when the county
court OF any county at regular or spe
cial term, or the judge and district ut
torney Of the district including the
county, SHALL certify to the governor,
that disorder and lawlessness prevail
iD the county TO such an extent, that
the ordinary authorities are unable 10