The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-04-13
VOL. XI.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, !
AIrSTIN TEXAS Anril g. 1882 (

house Representatives in the con-
gress of the United States, by which
five additional representatives have
been allowed To Texas. This being
larger increase than in any state of
the Union, is a most satisfactory ex-
hibition of the increase of our pOpu-
lation, and ofour growing strength
in the federal council. One of the
subjects submitted for your action
is the apportionment of the state
into congressional districts. This
increase OF population, not having
been propOrtionally equal in the diff
ferent parts of the state, makes il
necessary and proper that should
also submit for your action the ap-
portionment of the state into sena-
torlal and representative districts.
The basis of representation in the
state senate being, under the present
constitution, according to the quail
fled electors, and that of the house
of representatives according to
population, authentic information
to guide you in your action has been
procured, and will be furnished you
by the secretary of state.
Another purpose for convening
the legislature in special session is
to make provision for supplying the
place of the capitol that has been
burned in every respect that may
be necessary until the new capitol
shall have been finished, for supply
ing all books, furniture and other
things made necessary by said burn
ing, and for every other thing that
may be necessary for the efficient
operation of the Legislative, eXecu-
tive and judicial departments of the
government in the discharge of their
respective duties and functions.
BURNING OF THE STATE CAPITOL.
On the 9th day of November, 1881,
the state capitol was consumed by
an accidental fire, that occurred
about IL o'clock n. m. of that day.
Notwithstanding the efforts of the
officers, vigorously aided by the fire
companies and other citizens of
Austin, the fire had advanced too
far before it was discovered to be
extinguished by the supply of water
that could be obtained for that pur-
pose. By the aid of the citizens,
most of the books, records and fur
niture in the offices in said building
were removed and saved from the
flames. The fire commenced in one
of the rooms used for storing books
and papers in the first story, and,
though it had considerably ad-
vanced when it was discovered, it Is
believed that it could have been ex-
tinguished if there had been an ample
supply of water, and proper appli-
ances for using it. The state library,
geological specimens, and other
things in the library-room of the
third story, the furniture, most of
the portraits, and other things in
the second story, were burned. A
few of the books in the store-room
were saved; an account of which
will be furnished to you by the sec
retary of state in his report relating
thereto.
The books saved were the revised
statutes, and the reports of the su-
preme court, and of the court of
appeals. His report will also show
the volumes of the reports needed
to supply the counties proper
provision for which is respectfully
recommended.
BY the county judge and sheriff of
Travis county, and other citizens of
Austin, rooms necessary for the sew
eral executive offices were promptly
rendered and furnished. Arrange
ments have been made to procure
MIlletts opera hall for the house of
representatives, aud the armory hall,
in the same block, for the senate,
during the present session.
The opera hall was rendered by
Mr.. e. +. Millett, and the armory
hall by number of lodges that oc-
cupied it, to-wit: Travis Lodge, No.
1915, X. of H.; Lone Star Lodge No.
1, A. o. N. W.; Protection Lodge
No. 81, X. & L. of H.; Milan Lodge
L. o. o. f.; johnson Encampment,
and Castle Alhambra No. 1876, X. of
the G.. G.
At my request Mr.. e. f. Millett
voluntarily undertook to fit up said
halls for the use of the legislature.
Mr.. William Brueggerhoff has
rendered the use of as many
rooms in his building on
Congress Avenue as may be necessa-
ry for the use of the supreme court,
court of appeals and commission of
appeals.
There was no authority vested in
me, or. in any officer, to make con-
tracts for the objects here referred
to, and none have been made. 1t
has been done in anticipation of
what would be deemed necessary in
this emergency by the legislature,
and is dependent upon your recog-
milton of its propriety, and upon
Your action consequent thereon.
L respectfully recommend that
liberal compensation may be given
to those who have thus exhibited
their trust and confidence in the
justice of your honorable bodies.
SUPPLYING ITS PLACE.
The burning of the capitol makes
it necessary to make provision to
supply its place, until the new cap.
itol, now under contract, shall have
been finished, for the use of the leg
islative and executive officers. In
this connection some immediate &C
ton will be required, on account of
the construction of the new capitol
on the ground now occupied by the
supreme court building, and on the
ground now occupied by part of
the treasury building.
The report of the capitol board
and of the commissioners will ex-
hibit to you their acts in the execu-
lion of the laws passed for the erec-
ton of the new capitol, with the
size and character of its structure,
which wlu show the necessity for
the removal of the supreme court
and treasury buildings. AT first
the expectation was entertained,
that those houses could be moved
solidly to lot in the eastern portion
of the capitol square, without being
taken down. Upon investigation it,
was found that it would cost nearly,
II not quite, as much money as to
take them down and rebuild them,
and was therefore impracticable.
Could that have been done, the two
first stories of the Old capitol might
have been fitted up in q plain style
for the use of the legislature, and
the executive officers, at cost of
less than ten thousand dollars,
which would have been much cheap
or than to rent houses, during the
five or six years that must elapse
before the completion of the new
capitol.
The subject of building a house
out of the material of the houses,
that are in the capitol square, at the
expense of the state, has also been,
to some extent, investigated and