The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-08-17
Farewell Address of Hen. Il. Ii. Hub.
bard.

Farewell Address of Hon. Il. Il. Hub
bard.
Senator Hubbard delivered the following
farewell address to the Senate of Texas:
SendtOrS-CiIcumstance over which |
have no control compel me to ask youI
honorable body to relieve me from further
attendance during the few remaining days
of your session. l take this occasion TO
say, in parting with the Senate-as their
presiding officeI-that do so with sincere
admiration for your earnest and patriotic
devotion to the public service, and with
the assurance that whatever changes the
coming years may bring upon US all, no
change shall eUer obliterate the memory of
that personal and official friendship which
has bound US together. We have indeed
had high contentious in debate, and vexed
questions have now and then agItated our
counsels, but with the determination of the
issue-in the manner provided by our Con-
sttution and laws-let US hope that no
prejudlces will linger among US, nor un-
manly ordinations, as we g. hence from
these halls.
We represent a State as diversified in
interests as she is grand in the proportions
of her territory, and wonderful in her in
exhaustIble resources. That there should
be differences, therefore, hOnest differences,
of opinion among her Legislators, about
questions of S ate policy-sometiunes re-
sulting in alienation and sectional dis:rust-
is natural but have an abiding confidence
that these differences of opinion are bu'
proof, rather of the zeal and earnestness,
which, from varied standpoints, impel each
faithful representative in the public service
Go in = tha of 4 l,a
we all owe to Texas, with her historic and
heroic memories of the past, with her un-
exampled progress to the present, and the
hopes of future, whose brightness, ecen
n0U, dazzles our vision; in such presence,
surrounded by happy homes and fruitful
fields, illustrated by the toll and love of
nearly two millions of people, who have
sought this asylum from poverty and fam
inc; leaning with loving trust upon her
bosom, we cannot, we will not, allow dis
cord to mar our peace, or sectional strife to
divide in twain this splendid inheritance !
Like all precet d ng legislative bodies, you
have not escaped unfrlendly criticism from
the press or the people in 0d0Gace of the
termination of your labors. In some irs' ances
it may be just, in others most unjust, as
the sequel will show to the country. Your
burden has been a heavy one, and it has
been your difficult duty to frame laws
under a Constitution which has inaugu
rated new and totally different departures
from all previous organic laws since the
Republic. You have been met at the
threshold by financial problems diff
cult of solution, involving the credit
and honor of the State; aud by an uHdls-
guised condition of anarchy and lawess-
ness in some sections of the State, which
deties the civil authority.
That you will provide boldly-and in
| justice to our credit (now the peer of any
IN the worlds market)-for the prompt pay
ment or funding of all past liabilities,
and will see that no deficits unprovided for
in the coming fiscal years shall BLUR our
record that our expenditures-cut down,
if need be, to the standard of our reoenuet
and oar incOnles-will meet each other,
am justified in hoping and in believing will
be done, and that faithfully, by the L 'gis-
lature. Texas cannot afford to see hen
paper depreciating in the hands of her OaoR
citizens, OF her absolutely necessary erpeud9
toLres for the State government annually
erceed the receipts from that general reve
nue.. Fortunately, the Constitution of our
State, while limiting the maximum of tax
alton (both county and State) for the future
has honestly and sOisely provided the means
of meeting the deficits and outstanding in
debtness of the past by funding them, ol
by direct levy of taxes Gd OGIorem with
the increase of our wealth; the enactment
of more stringent laws for the assessment
and collection of taxes, past and present
due. 1t is proper subject of congratu
lation, if our resources are developed as W,
anticipate, that after the next fiscal yea
the revenues of the government VU NOR
than meet, with perhaps diminished taxa
tion even, all the current expenses OF tn
government, with a constantly CROWN!
fund for our common schools.
In the past two years you have seen ou
material and political prosperity grow il
strength and respect under the auspices o
sn incorruptible and patriotic executive
sustained by the representatives of the peo
pie in the legislative department of tn
government.
That we take no step blackboard, in thi
march of progress. depends upon your wis
counsels more than it will depend hereafte
upon the Executive Department of th
State, it being his duty only to execute tn
laws. When your laburs shall have ended
let US hope that the laws which shall hav
been enacted will prove the salvation @
Texas in all the elements which coniribut
to the true greatness of the commonwealth
, shall not again preside over your delibel
stions. Others will come after me, who
trust will bring more of energy and abiht
to this difficult position; but no citizen a
the State has ecer brought or erer Wi
: bring to this sltSr q more honest love {
, prouder devotion to the prosperity and gl'
~ of his S, ate than him who now address
the Senate. We may not meet again
these halls, OF elsewhere in the paths {
life, but the memory Of these scenes an
their honored associations will survive mi
} fortune, and follow as with gentle foo
I steps to the end of life.
n Senator Brown offered the following re
olution:
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Governor R B. HUI
: bard is about to Vacate the chair as Pres
E dent of the Senate in order to meet impo
4 tant engagements, and will not be able
: resume the discharge Of his official duti
during the current session of the Legisl
: ture: therefore, be it
> Resolrea, That the thanks of this Sena
G are hereby extended to Lieutenant Cove
nor Hubbard for the courtesy, ability Al
efficiency with which be has presided ov
It's deliberations, ard that in view Of q
termination of his official relations as ]
: presiding officer the Senate tenders to hi
& the strongest assurances Of respect and q
best wishes for his health and prosperity.
Unanimously adopted
e The T<..,1-- hae Ie.s.Ad sfa graveyard