The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-06-24
THE ISSUE.

THE ISSUE.
When political party is organized,
and appeals to the voters Of state to
support its candidates, the advocacy
of certain principles is presumed. Gov
ernor Roberts was the nominee of
convention representing the Demo-
crate party of Texas. He is the expo
nent of principles that are set forth in
the platform of bis party, and of mess-
ures in accord Herewith. He and his
supporters recommend economy in the
administration of every department
and branch Of the state government.
The imperative necessity Of running
the government within the limit of its
accruing revenues, OF paying as you
go, Of mourning no deficiencies, of
permitting NO speculation IN state war
rants, thus swindling the owners of
state obligations, and other kindred
measures, were discussed in the mes
sages of the present executive, and
were carried into effect by his friends
in the legislature, as fer as possible,
against an opposition coming from
Radicals, 9reenbsckers and discomfort
ed Democrats. The selling Of the p1b-
lie lands and the payment of the pub
lie debt, and the sale of lands donated
for the support OF free schools, were
urged as measures Of primary import
ance. The object of the first was to
pay our DISTINGUISHING indebtedness
without resort to direct taxation
and the inevitable oppression of
taxpayers. Were we to continue
to 90 in debt as since 1865, at
an average rate of $4O0,0O0 per
anuum, the State of Texas would
lose it's credit and become bankrupt,
and the great interests and the future
welfare of its people would become i'm
periled. The object 10 one of these
instances was to comply with the re-
quirements of the constitution in sup
porting and maintaining an efficient
system of public free schools by the
use of the means set apart by the con-
stitution for that purpose, and not to
attempt what is impossible under the
provisions of the present organic law
of the land, to support and maintain
free schools mainly by direct taxation,
or what amounts to the same, appro-
priating one. fourth of the annual rev.
enue TO effect that object. This it was
demonstrated, could not be done under
a constitution which limits taxation to
fifty cents on the one hundred dollars
valuation of property, and which con-
fines the capacity of the state govern
ment to incur debt of more than two
hundred thousand dollars. The ends
sought to be attained in this connec-
ton by Governor Roberts and his
friends were to pay the public debt;
to stop tie sale of bonds and the pay
| ment of about $S6s, 900 per year as in
terest; to decrease taxation to about
one-halt the present rate; to save from
three-quarters of million to million
dollars per year. This was very proper
bid for immigration, based on low tax
alton, and an efficient system of public
free schools. supported almost entirely
by interest derived from the investment
of the permanent school fund, and up
on offering immigrants cheap homes
upon easy terms. 1t was proposed to
| remodel, improve, and perfect the sys-
tenn on which the public free schools are
conducted, and not to destroy or Grip
ple whatever of good had been achieved.
1t was proposed to stop the squan-
dering of about $lO7, 900 of the school
fund every year, reduce the amount
appropriated for schools about 5000, :
600 per year, and to give the people
better schools, larger attendance OF
pupils, and what is of great i'm
portance, to institute normal schools
for the education of our own teachers.
In the attempt to inaugurate these
reformstory measures, Governor
Roberts and hio friends were met by a
strenuous, uncompromlsing opposition
led by merFwho planted themselves in
the last ditch left to attest the former
domination of radicals, clamoring for
the continuance of an odious system of
maintaining free schools mainly by
taxation. These opponents of Gov
ernor Roberts took this stand in the
face of the fact, that the -stringency of
the money market has caused nearly
fifty per cent. of taxpayers throughout
the State to become delinquents, pro-
ceeded against by collectors, and their
landed property lowed on and sold.
AS was said in the outset, it is pre-
sumable that the men who have crys-
tallized into q party. having for its
object defeat Of the denomination OF
Governor Roberis, have certain ideas
upon which they propose to erect q
platform. II the STATESMAN may be
permitted to Judge of the complexion
Il
of the mongrel party by the character
of the articles which have appeared in
public prints, denouncing the admins
tration OF democratic governor, it is
reasonable to eonclude that the leading
principle OF this party is hostility to
any and every act of Govern Roberts
since his Inauguration, with settled
determination to misrepresent him and
his friends, and determination to
manipulate one-third of the delegates
to the approaching State convention,
with the hope of wearing cut his
friends and forcing them to withdraw his
name. Tits Is what Is aimed at, not
withstanding it il known two-thirds of
the voters of the state are in favor OF
Governor Roberts and the carrying out
of his policies. These enemies OF
Governor Roberts can be regarded in
no other light than opposed to the sale
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