The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-06-17

log government. He said:


into the condition of all the departments
of the state government, and, by the aid
of the legislature, inaugurate such re-
forms as will ensure proper efficiency in
all of its departments.
Without attempting to develop any
state policy at present, beg to refer you
to my past services in the various posi-
tons with which l have been honored
by the people, as the best assurance can
give you for my future conduct.
Allow me to ask you to send to the
next legislature the best men of all classes
lawyers, farmers, mechanics, railroad
men, stockmen, school teachers, mer-
chants, bankers, or any other class that
Is interested in the country-so that, by
their wisdom and integrity, we may
p ace this state upon the sure and safe
progress to that greatness which its great
extent and vast and varied interests de-
mand, and make Its people happy and
prosperous and devoted to the state, uni
led now and in all future time.
10 his first message to the regular
session of the Sixteenth Legislature
Governor Roberts said:
Another great benefit generally ex-
pected to be derived is from the donation
of lands set apart to the permanent COM
mon school fund. This, however, will
prove delusive If it is expected to raise Il
fund in a distant future under the pres
ent management that will relieve the
people from the taxes which they now
pay to support the free common schools.
For under the present mode of disposing
Of these lands the scholastic population
will increase faster than the fund"
Again, in the same document is
found:
The true policy of the state, in my
opinion, under the present jnncture of
affairs, is to retrench expenses from top
to bottom, wherever it eau be done con-
slstently with the efficiency of the public
service, and inaugurste the policy now
of disposlng of the pubic lands at fair
value as soon as practicable to any pur-
chaser that will buy them in any ,quan-
tity, so as TO meet the various obligations
of the government, increase the school
funds and asylum fund, and thereby if
possible relieve the present generation
from the onerous burden of taxation i'm
posed upon them for the dim prospect of
future good which will never be real
lied.
In his financial message, dated jan
uarY 30, 1879. we find the following
references to school matters, in which
the Governor points out q means Of
relief from taxation. 1t reads:
There are o. 600, 600 arces common
school lands undisposed Of. These
lands under the present law are sold in
quantities Of 100 acres to actual settlers,
on ten years time, with ten per cent. in
terest and snnu-l insta 'lmeats, at one
dollar and half per acre. 1t is selling
very slowly, and not increasing the per-
msnent school fund as fast as the
scholastic population is increasing an
nuilly. The expense of valuing it for
sale is estimated to cost the fund thirty
six dollars for each section. In places,
especially where the principal value of
the land consists in its timber, the priv
ilege granted by this law is be ng abused
by taking possession and making the first
payment and then using the timber and
abandoning the land. Such is the infor-
marion which l have received from re-
spectacle authority. II the Legislature
will not pass law authorizing the sale
of these lands In any quantities desired
by purchasers. not less than $40 acres,
at ia value, It will sell much mo g
rapidly and with less expense to the fund
than is done at present. The fact that
the title emanates directly from the state
will recommend 1t TO capitalists as well
as to sc tiers. And the fact that il is
mixed I'd with railroad lanes win
facilitate the sale of large quantities in
connection and cooperation with those
who own them and desire TO sell them in
large quantities. II may reasonably be
Anticipated that enough could be sold
during the present fiscal year to largely
increase the permanent school fund by
its Investment. Upon the faith Of that
| would respectfully recommend that q
law be now passed providing that In the
assessment for next year the amount of
adj pdSorern tax set apart for the available
school fund shall be one-fifth instead of
one-fourth, thereby inaugurating the pol
| lev of diminishing the school tax, as the
lands are sold 70 increase the permanent
school fund, and # the whole Of the
lands should be sold In tho 0ext four
4 NEALM AllGL lui1s lAAG AQua Will &c SUM
Gent 10 relieve the people from this tar
entirely, or at least reduce IL 10 ten cents
on the one bundled dollars, as prescribed
| BY the constitution Of 1915. This appro-
| priaiicn Of onc-fourth Of the revenue de
| rived from an al caloresH tax on all Of
the property OF the state, and one-half OF
| the poll-tax, IL most extraordinary tax,
| imposed for common school purposes,
and the precedence given Il by Is being
| drst paid under the present law Is equally
extraordinary. This very tax, 80 pro
| ferred. constitutes the reason why We an
dragging along from year TO year undel
the load Of heavy deficiency.
And while weshonld. as we have done
recognize the duty imposed by the con
stituiion 70 support . system of free com
mon schools, il Is equally cur duty 70 Us.
| the means in Cur power 70 raise fund
! which viii suspend the necessity OF i'm
| posing so extraordinary 3 burden Of tax
alton upon the people of the state fol
that parpose.
Certainly ssaoh utterances as these az
those OF statesman. and of one wa
especially feels ~ abiding Interest u
the welfare Of people.
10 anesssge on free commor school
February 10. 1879. The Governor said
The free common schools have theil
foundation in the constitution Of n,
STATE. The modes and means q c1est
Ting permanent fund therefor, and o
n available fund with he manner Of it
distribution annually, are prescribed i