The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-08-03
NO. 81

other State or country of the same popula-
tion in the world These facts can only be
the legitimate results of a vigorous en-
forcement of the laws. The conditions
which, Notwithstanding a stringent eNecu-
ton OF the laws, produce crime in Texas
cannot be corrected by legislation. They
are the normal and inevitable attendants of
a new and rapidly growing and developing
| country. Quoting from nv annual message
to the second session of the Fourteenth
Legislature: lit is au historical fact that
new countries in process of settlement, and
until their population have time to become
assimilated and homogeneous, have ALWAYS
been the theaters of lawlessness and crime.
These characteristics have been inseparsblv
connected with the settlement and carly
growth of every new State and Territory OF
the Union. Tie more rapidly and luxuri-
ant the growth and development of the
country, the more marked and excessive
have been these invsriable accompanlments
of violence and turbulence. The frontier
and the border have always been especially
subject to these Inevitable disorders. Dh@
are the natural outgrowth OF incipient,sA6d
semi organized society, which, unoEs.a re-
public IN government, cannot be rel .ressed,
and which time alone, with the best efforts
of the authorities, can fully correct.
Texas has an Indian frontier and a
Mexican border of not less than 1900 miles,
on which her people, OF necessity, wear
arms habitually for defense. Five-sixths
of the population of Texas may be found
in one-third of her territory. The remain
der of the country is In the common accep-
tation, frontier. The immense tide of i'm.
migration now and for several years past
pouring into the State, with for the most
part good, brings some bad people.
Our railroad connections furnish easy
access to Texas for lawless and desperate
men from other States, as well AS for the
o'd citizens, and they are not slow To
avail themselves of the inviting field for
their operations presented by the peculiar
surroundings of society and the country.
When to these considerations we add the
d6moralizing results of the late civil war,
it becomes matter of wonder, not that SO
much but that no more of crime and dis
order prevails in Texas. With such con-
ditiOns surrounding her. the difficulty of
maintaining peace and good order IN Texas
will readily be perceived by all, while the
Official reports before referred to must con-
vince the most skeptical that the govern
ment and the people are addres ing them
selves in earnest TO the work of executing
the law and putting down crime"
All the revenues collected for the State
aud county governments expended on po-
lice and detective forces would not prevent
the commission of crime in Texas Our
laws are stringent aud, although their exc.
cution is defective IN some localities, as a
general rule are as well executed as they
Can be under our present judicial system
| While the conditions naturally productive
of crime, as has been shown, exist in an ex-
aggerated degree in Texas, it is believed
that the per cent. of crime in any of the
other 5 ates of the Union is very little be-
low that in Texas, and that in some of
them 1t is fully as large. / had the honor
| to submit recommendations of amendment
| to our Penal Code and Code of Criminal
Procedure n few particulars at the COM
mencement of this session, which are here
re pectfully renewed. Chief among them
were the recommendations to provide an
easy mode for change of venue at the in
stance OF the State and to make aPplica-
Il ms for cpntnuance depend on the discre-
tion of the judge to whom they are ad
DIRE 'sed, thus insuring speedy trial in
county where Influences hostile to a proper
administration of the laws would not defeat
the ends of justice. If in addition liberal
appropriation be made subject to the dis
position of the Governor, for enforcement of
the criminal laws, can see nothing fur
ther that can be done under the existing
c institution.
For the balance the people, without whose
active cooperation no law is worth the pa.
| per on which il is written, must rely ON
themselves and see to it that their local au-
thorities are vigi'ant in Their discharge of
duy. The company now being organized
by Capt. McN,l.y for service against Mex
lean bandits and under the lead of the
civil authorities against bands of white out
la VS. in West rn Texas. | am satisti q will
give peace and sense of security to that
codntry, II its efforts are supplemented by
the amendments suggested, which are ab-
solutelY necessary to secure fair and impair
tisl trials and the execution of the laws
upon the criminals they may arrest. With
Ou' these amendments 1t will be almost
useless in many localities where the worst
disorders prevail to make arrests, as the
criminals will be Immediately released by
the c.vil authorities, AS were the notorious
King Fisher and nine Of his confederates
when recently captured at Eagle Pass by
McNelly, and as has been repeatedly done
in Mas N county with criminals captured
by NJ or JUncs's command.
Onc cannot fail to recognize in the bill
herewith returned an IF ,rt on part of the
Legislature to satisfy the railing cl4mor be-
foe referred to, ami in its utter subversion
oi all constitutional principle, and its pro-
posed lavish and Unlimited expenditure of
public money far beyond the ability of the
people to bear, the unreasonable and un-
reasoning nature of the demand to which
it is but natural response. If such meas
ure could receive the sanction of the law
making department and be placed on our
statute book, constitutional guarantee. how
ever 1Gcred, would be utterly worthless.
Very respectfully,
Rl6gARD COKE.
On motion of Senator Ford, the senate
ad djourned until to morrow morning at 0
A. NJ.