The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-03-17
THE GovERNoR TO THE REsCEu.

1t is certainly very fortunate for
the state that the two houses of the
legislature concurred yesterday in
a resolution reconsidering the time
set for adjournment, and postpon-
ing the day to April. Ii is natural
that there should be much dlsincli-
nation to prolong the session, under
rule fixing the per diem at
n rate below what will sustain
legislator in respectable way at
the capital. Two dollars per day
will not do this, and il is to be re-
GREETED that the legislature has
placed itself in a position of inability
to reconsider its action ON the rese-
luton, proposing to cure great
defect in the states const;-
tuition. Seeing results that would
arise from too early adjournment
of the Legislature, Governor Roberts,
with his usual wisdom and pru-
dence, and with that disposition
which has always characterized his
official acts, sent to the Senate and
the House message calling atten-
ton to the evil results that would
attend an early adjournment. He
says:
"Some time in the first half of next
year there must be a special session
of the legislature called for the
purpose Of making an apportion-
ment of the congressional districts
in this state. If it is not convenient
now to make an apportionment of
districts for Senators and Repre-
sentatives in the legislature, that
can be done at the same special ses-
sion. Both of these things must be
done, in ample time before the next
tence of our government depends
upon equal representation, according
to population, and if the apportion-
ment is not made at this session, |
should feel myself bound in duty to
call the legislature together for that
purpose, and to continue TO call from
time 10 time, if necessary, until it
was done in ample time for the next
election. If there is any disposi-
ton in any section OF the state to
prevent fair apportionment, L have
no evidence of it, and if there is
such, it will be overwhelmed and de-
feated by just public sentiment
which no man or set of men will
persist in resisting.
beg leave further TO suggest that
you now have it i'll your power still
to prevent the necessity of two
called sessions, by repeating your
resolution to adjourn on the 10th
of this month and postpone it for
ten days or two weeks longer, and
give that much of your time to the
state, even at the reduced cOmpen-
sation of two dollars per day. un-
derstand that this still can be done
bv q concurrence OF majority in
both houses OF the legislature, by a
repeal of it, the same as If it were a
law passed at this session. BY doing
this you will have time to consider
and pass upon the constitutional
amendments that you may agree
upon which you are not allowed to
do at a called session; you can per-
feet and pass upon all the leading
measures, upon which you have
spent much time. and have labered
diligently, which | fear will other
wise be lost to the state; the regular
appropriation bill and the deficiency
bill can be passed with due de-
liberation and care; the dis
|-couraging confusion arising from
conflict of opinion, will be dis
PEELED by patience and perse-
veranse, illustrating that at least there
is wisdom in multitude of counsel;
and, doubt not, that when you shall
have closed up your work at the end
of that time,you will feel amply conn.,
pensated for the sacrifice of time,
and for your arduous efforts, by the
consciousness of having done your
full duty, and that you had not
abandoned the post assigned you by
the people until ample provision
was made 10 carry on the govern
ment, and until fair effort had been
made to pass every measure promo
tive of their general interests. The
moral of the thing, and the princi-
pie evolved from the example, would
be of great benefit ito the state, and
would inspire confidence in the wis
dom and patriotism of the state
government, for whose direction the
majority of both houses are respon-
sible, being the controlling power of
the state.
Representing the people of Texas,
as the chief executive, l have felt it
to be my duty to make to you this
appeal in their behalf. as whole.
without reference TO any section,
class or particular il .erests.
Both houses of the legislature,
evincing that patriotism which
has always characterized the true
Texan, at once reconsidered their
motion to adjourn, and yesterday it
was resolved to hold over to April
1st, to finish the important legisla-
tion begun.