The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-08-17
rIe..ag,. nom ,he Gover.or.


On motion of Mr.. Pickett, the message of
hi excellency the Governor, was taken up
and read.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, STATE OF TEXAS, I
AUSTIN, August 10, 1876.
Hon. 7. r. Bonner, Speaker Of the House or
Representatives,:
Sri herewith transmit copy of let
ter received from Gen. P. II. Sheridan,
which will fully explain itself. He asks q
transfer of certain sections of land in q c
Northwestern portion of Texas, for the ss-
adjustment of post deemed necessary tor
the protection OF the frontier, and the usual
Ct ssion of jurisdiction over it TO the United
States government This transfer | under
stand to be the right of occupancy alone,
not including the title, aud to be tempors-
ry, while used as a military post. The sec
tlOns referred to are presumed to be school
| lands-alternate sections. In this connec-
tion Yefer you to section 81, article 10 of
the Consultation, requiring general law
pas sed authorizing the Governor to sell or
lease to- the United States govern ment q
sufficient quantity OF the public domain for
purposes of forts, barracks, etc, sm not
advised of the number of sections desired
in this instance, but recommend that gen.
eral law be passed covering the require
me nts,. of the Constitution, and, when neces-
sary, embracing a mode of lease or sale of
such of the school sections as may be re-
qu red for the purpose.
The military post referred to (Fort FL
liott) is an important point on our frontier,
and it's establishment will greatly conduce
to the safety and security of many of our
people.
Very respectfully.
RICHARD COKE
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION
OF THE MISSOURI,
CHICAGO hLINnIs August 4, 1876.
To the Hon Richard Coke, GOUernOr of Teras
| dustin, Teras
Sir - Information from Washington
leads to the belief that DO further expendi-
ture will be made ON the post (Fort Elliott)
recently established in the northwestern
portion of Texas, until the land required
for reservation is formally rendered by
the owners thereof to the government. A,
the Texas Land Company, through its
aut horized agent, has rendered to the gov
ernment the use of certain sections (odd
sections) belonging to it, and has since been
requested to execute the necessary papers
to complete the transfer, have tile honor
to request that the proper authorities Of the
| State of Texas make Il formal tender of
such of the sections of land as may be
found necessary to include within the limits
of the reservation, and cause the requisite
papers to be executed, transferring to the
government of the United States the land
in question.
Ia this connection 1 would respectfully
invite your attention to the request con-
tanned i'll my letter to you of January last
on the subject of ceding the jurisdiction
Of The STATE of T xas to the National gov
erument. 1t Is scarcely necessary to inform
you that without this transfer of iurisdic
tion it will be aim st impossible to main.
tain at that post au efficient force, one Ca
pable of rendering any protection to the
citizens of Texas and Others engaged in
traffic In that section of Country.
Your early attention TO the subject mat
ter of this letter Is respectfully requested.
Very respectfully your ob't serv't,
Signed T. H. SHERIDAN,
Lieutenant General Commanding.
The message and letter were referred to
the Committee on Military Affairs.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, STATE OF TEXAS, !
AUSTIN, August II, 1876,
SRI respectfully again invite the atten-
ton of the Legislature to the great neces-
sity for change in the existing law on the
subject of irrigation, and refer TO remarks
to your honorable body.
The law of March 10, 1875, is SO very
vague and indt finite and the subsidy so un-
eQua! as TO the different classes of bitches,
and withal so very exorbitant, that while
a properly guarded law on the subject is
believed to be extremely desirable, the
present law should be repealed entirely il
1t cannot be amended. Under the existing
law, it is utterly hey oad the power of the
Executive to prevent the. commission OF
great frauds upon the State, and the opera
IIons under it are assuming such proportions
as will make serious inroads upon the public
domain if not checked. One-half, or even
one-third OF the subsidy now granted, it is
believed, will secure the making of bitches
wherever there is a suficiency of water to
justify them, 1t is believed that many
bitches are being made now solely for the
purpose of obtaining the subsidy without
reference to any profit or advantage from
irrigation. The sections of country in
which these things are being done are SC
remote that iG is impossible for the Execu.
tive to ascertain the facts relative to the
different bitches and properly care for the
interests of the State. The subsidy should
be reduced so rs TO be simply al aid to such
enterprise, leaving the profits to arise from
irrigation.
; also beg leave to call your attention tc
: the necessity for reducing the fees for iury
} service, which, under existing laws, is two
dollars per day. Under our new system o.
courts, if these fees are not reduced they
will absorb all the revenues of the coun
ties. We must choose between bankruptcy
of the counties and their prompt reduction
One dollar and quarter per diem is th'
) maximum that can be paid out of the reve
, | cd hp thn .tnf
T laws. Very respectfully,
: RICHARD COKE.
1 Exrcr1rIyrr, ORrrIcE SrArE on TErAs