The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-03-26
LETTER FROM AUSTIN.
anon denoe of the Herald.

Uisnow 90 rear The time set for the ad.
iourument of thu 18th legislature, that
pretty good estimate may be formed in ref.
erencs to its work, The body was composed
of such large number OF new men, and
many Of recognized intelligence, that rather
extravsgsnt hopes were INDUCED in by the
great mass of the people as to the beneficial
character of the Legislation which would be
enacted. 1t is extremely difficult to say
whether these hopes have been realized or
not A great many bills have been passed,
especially in the last two weeks, but only the
smallest proportions OF the vast number in
troduced, and the maj ority of those passed
have simply local application, and were
merely designed 20 meet local wants. twill
not do to say that those localities sought to
be affected have not been very materially
bencficled by such changes, and the state
through them; Notwithstanding the fact that
bills have been left untouched almost, which
had for their object necessary and very I'M
portant legislation affecting the whole state.
Bills changing the Jurisdiction of the county
courts, CHI nging and recognizing the judi
cial districts, bills relating to quarantine and
bills for private relief have claimed and
consumed almost the entire time OF the ses-
sion, SO Tar.
A very attentive and intelligent senator
1 said to me the other day, that he could see
only two objects which the people at large
were seeking to obtain from the present
lesislsture--an opportunity to vote ON the
It nuaytinn nf nrnhIhlitnu ArI tho
of wise and just railroad law; and that the
Legislature had denied them both requests.
1t ia true that the question of prohibition
has been lor the present At leas! clad on the
table" and large number OF good people
may feel very wrAthy about II, and others
perhaps equally rs good, may feel exceeding
ly lu6llant, but one thing is cettaia--agti-
ton bad made out of il u live and important
factor in future elections and political contests
in Texa-! Public opinion rest assured will
have ample opportunity to express itself, and
tho popular clamor ii such there be. granted
its demand after all. la reference to the
other matter mentioned by the senator as
one of tho demands of the times,it is difficult
to speak correctly. The people may posi-
bly, at this time be wrong in pressing railroad
legislation, if they do indeed SO press. Hssty
action on q matter so vitality affecting the
present and future welfare of Texas could
not but prove disastrous, and the legislature
may DO wise and faithful rather than recre.
ant to its constituency in postponing action
thereon, as is now generally admitted hiss
vir,u lily been done. Your correspondent is
sensts on yesterday by Mr. Burgess CONES
nearer hitting the mark than any
line of action on ,his subject
heretofore proposed. Its purpose
is to appoint a john committee, to hold its
sessions after the adjournment of the legisla.
ture, and after calm and thorough investi-
CATION OF the whole matter, draft and repor
to the called session il any, if not, to the
go ernor, railroad bill which shall not
prejudice the rights or inter sis of either the
people or the railroads. 1t is meeting, too
with considerable favor and it is more than
likely that some such course will DO adopted.
The chief topics OF capital gossip at present.
however, are the deficiency and appropriation
bills. The enc question is "do you suppose
they will ever agree on these bill, ?"
it Is 10 appoint a joint committee TO hold It's
session bter u adjournment of the legisat-
ure, and after a calm ana thorough exami-
nation OF the whole matter. draft and 70.
iport to the called session, if any, if not, t.
1.-THE governor, u railroad bill which shall not
prejudice tn rights or interests of either the
people or the railroads. 1t is meeting ..too
with considerable favor and it is more than
likely that some such course will be adopted
The chief 'opics of capital gossip at present,
however, are the deficiency and sppropria-
ton bills The one question is "do you sup.
pose they will ever sgree?' And tho almost
invsrlable response "nol' They are now in
the hands of conference committees, with
multitude of amendments, and only four
more working days to sgree
upon q report and oh ain
acton by tho respective houses. While we
can lind no fault for the want OF action on
the railroad or prohibition bills, we cannot
but deprecale the hardness with which the
house of representatives has manifested to-
wards these bills for running the state gov
ernment. They are by far the most import.
ant business always of tho session, and
should frs, receive attention instead of being
showed off till the last. Ano her bill OF
general interest, and which bas elected
considerable comment and is calculated TO
work radical changes in the manner
of administering criminal law, is the bill
introdu ed by Senator Ilomsn, simplifying
the forms of indictments. 1t has now
passed to the governor for his approval.
Then the joint solution amending the ia.
dicisry hss been adopted by both houses and
is iuthe hands of the governor also. These
are tho principal bills which have been
before the l7lh Legislature, aud it is for the
people TO say what shall be the verdict, The
members are becoming exceedingly anxious
oget home, and har lily think ii possible to
keep them longer thau the fest of April. If,
however, the bi Is for running the govern.
ment arc left VI finished on that celebrated
duy IN which tnev adinurn II will ha a., NJ
coediugly practical Ike indeed on tho Off.
cers of the state who are not particularly
"ausb."
Notwithstanding the beauty and altrac.
tons Of this, our capital city, II will in all
probability in another fortnight look ~ IL il
had lost It's next friend. and |, even now, in
The, desrth of news, begins to Look quiet
and sad. 4.