The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-01-14
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

is but review of the governors administers
ton during the past two years, thesO will
prove sufficient as tho people are in thC
main familiar with the efforts Of Governor
Roberts. That the governor has admins
tered the state government with economy and
been able 10 accumulate q handsome surplus
Of revenue in the treasury, there is no qutS-
ton. For this he deserves credit, and tho
state i, to be congratulated. That
the economy and this saving Of
revenue was seemingly at tho ,xpense 81
most vital interests no cue will attOmpt 10
gAinsay. 1t was tho fear that these inter-
Ssts, notably that Of free education for the
children Of the land and the credit Of the
state, would be seriously crippled, that be-
got so much opposition 70 Governor Rsb-
crts in the sixteenth legislature andthrough-
out the state during tho first three quarters
Of his two years. term. But tho governor
has always claimed, even whom opposition 70
his achool policy was lOudest and msst
manifest, that he WAS sincere friobl 10 free
education, and in proof Of ii has pointed 10
his efforts in behalf Of normal school and
of tho free schools generally. 1t is a truth,
and ono OF which tho entire state may
will feel proud, that the normal school at
Huntsville ha, proven TO be An eminent sue
cess 80 far, and it is also fact at least APP
parently SO, that the free schools throughout
the state, although receiving but onS-sixth of
tho general revenue instead of one fcurth as
in years before, and as contemplated by the
constitution, have done as well and been as
efficient as heretofore. 1t is true that one
sixth of tho general revenue WAS greater in
the amount Of the sum total than ono.fo urth
under former administrations had been, ow-
ing to the close collection Sfths revenue and
the increase Of sources of revenue, but for
this Let 1t DO conceded that the governor is
entitled credit. II has been apparent
throughout the administration # Cove,
enor Roberts rs no says, that
the central and controlling idea with him has
beea " build up an effective financial system,
To keep expenses within the revenues, in
other words, to 'pay as you 60" is, and has
been, all the time, visible in tho WARD and
wool of the web of the past two years adj
minstrstion Of state affairs That tho methods
10 acquire this most desirable end have al
ways been the wisest and most direct, is M,at-
ter Of discussion, but that success has at
tended them there is now abundant proof 1t
was a conception and an inspiration most
communicable. For years, from various
causo0, the expenses and expenditures Of tho
state government had exceeded tho receipts
OF revenue. Every Legislature had to
msks appropriations for deficiencies,
and if policy could be carried into effect to
change this state OF affairs, it would DO ser
vice worry Of statesman and worthy the
lasting gratitude Of the people. Governor
Roberts osSayod tho undertaking, aud il !,
lnaaifost that no has achieved success. We
know that abundant crops and 4 generous
prosperity has enabled the people to paw
their taxes as they fell due, and, in addition,
their Arrearagss of taxes, and We know thst
tho Liquidation Of Legislatures before Gov.
ernor Roberts torn of office begns were great
aids to him in carrying into happy con-
his ides, but no has succeeded
and there is no success so grand az
success. There is ever half mil
lion dollars in the state treasury state
warrants are at par; tho credit
Of the state is not impaired.
These. are achievements that tho governor
cla"ss in his message, justly belong to his
policy. For 100000 per aunum he asserts
that the frontier has been efficiently pro.
tocted, and by reason of Adiutant. General
Jones efforts, the Indians being prohibited
from hunting in Texas, the frontier force.
are made more available for the SUPPRESSION
Of laulesSness and crime. This is a good
showing, and fit can be gainsaid ws do not
Know it. Tbs only foreshsdowing Of his
views FOR the future is in the rscemrsends-
ten ct appropriations for increased facitiss
at the deaf and dumb, blind and lunatc Ssy.
lun' and at tho pepitsntiaries. He
estimates the cost Of nesdsd inn
provemenS at these institutions
at $4,000. We most heartily endorse this
recommendation. Oar eleemosynary instis
tutions for the care and cure If possible Of
the unfortunate insane, and for the educA. |
ton Of tho afflicted blind and deaf and dumb
children of our state, should as far aspossble
DO made adequate for thosa purposes There
is scarcely county 10 the state that is not
compelled to confne in its peor houss or
jail some lunstic, often times women, where
it is impossible other to do anything to.
wards q restoration of their mental health or
to properly care for them physically and
humanely and civilization itself cry out
against this. Equally incumbent upon us 40
christian people is it that ws
should afford means for the odu-
cation of tho blind and tho deaf
and dumb. There arc as potent reasons
Why we should provide prison shelter and
walls for the convicts who are expatipg
their violations Of the law. 1t is wrong that
felon labor should come in conflict with frse