The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-04-13

schools"
This was construed TO be an appropria-
ton simply out OF the university avail
able fund by the Hon, S. ii. Darden, then
comptroller, and afterwards so construed
ana acted upon by the present comptrol-
Ter, Honorable W. NJ. Brown, until
this appropriation for the two years
was exhausted in the support
OF said school during fits first two
sessions, ending In June of 1881, during
all which time both features, In
the operations OF said school, to-wIt :
labor employments and the training for
teachers, were carried out in proportion
TO the facilities iurnishsd for them.
To exhibit further the character and
relation OF the school being thus insti-
tuted by the sixteenth legislature, nc-
cordiDg TO their own conception OF Il,
reference may be made 10 two other en-
actments by them.
In the revised civil statutes, adopted nc
the regular session OF 1879, IL Is St. led
" The agricultural and mechanical coll
lege for the benefit OF colOred youths,
located in Waller county" and Is placed
under the supervision and control Of
the board OF directors of the Agricultural
and mechanical college located In Brazos
county" who were given IN all respects
the same powers, and required 10 per-
form the same duties In reference 10 the
college named, as they are clothed with
In reference 10 the A. a M, college To-
Gated in Brazos county. - Doubtless
was inserted by the digesters before the
act reforming the school at that session,
and may not have attracted the attention
of the legislature. But not so with the
act OF the special session OF the same
legislature, approved 9th of July. 1879,
making supplemental appropriations as
follows, to-wit:
"PRAIRIE VIEW AGRICULTURAL COL
LEGE."
"Additional for the branch agricultu-
raj college for colored youths at Prairie
View TO be taken from the university
fund, Sl600."
lslature in January, 1881, my message pre-
sented my views In regard 10 this school.
stating in substance that In view OF It's
main benefits, IL was simply "A normal
school, and therefore IL was doubtful
whether IL could or should be supported
by appropriations out of the university
fund, and expressed the same thing In
regard to the support of the Sam Hous-
ton normal school out OF the fund of the
public free schools and urged the pro-
prlety Of supporting both OF said schools
by appropriations from the general reve-
nue., and that as they were necessary
auXIliaries OF our common schools, that
the amounts appropriated TO them be de-
Quoted from the amount of the general
revenue, that would otherwise be appro-
priated aud distributed TO the public
Tree schools In the counties of the state.
Notwithstanding this urgent recom-
mendation, the Legislature persisted in
retaining this school as an adjunct 10 the
A. and Nj. college, aud consequently as u
part of the university of Texas, by an
appropriation act approved April /, 1881,
in which the following is found, to-wit
" support of Prairie View normal
institute for the years ending August 81,
1882, to August 81, 1888, out OF the univer-
sity fund S60O0' leach year.. To this
was added an appropriation for twc
mules, a wagon and other things, OF
$1,000 out of the university fund.
1t is well known that the question as
to what was the proper fund out OF
which this appropriation was to be taken
was duly considered and settled by the
legislature. This doubt about the con-
stitutiouality of the appropriation was
produced by a consideration of the con-
hIctiDg conclusions to be drawn from the
different laws passed, Indicating its OBJ
jects, its organization and its status In
our school system, and the object of my
recommendation was TO relieve IL from
that attitude. When, however, the sew
enteenth legislature followed the exam
pie of the previous legislatures In BpprO-
priating money for its support out Of the
university fund, l considered there was
enough in the history of the legislation,
and the facts pertaining to the school, TO
justify its being regarded as part Of or
an addition to the A. & NJ. college, as II
had evidently been by both the sixteenth
and seventeenth legislatures and there
fore L did not object, in the mode pointed
OGSS ty the constitution, TO the appropri-
alton thus made.
In January last learned by publica-
tlOn of the comptroller's opi-icn In the
Galveston Nea0s of the 18th OF that month,
that he had refused TO audit accounts
made in support of the Prairie View nor
NAL school during its present session,
upon the ground that the law making All
appropriation for its support out OF the
university fund was unconstitutional and
void. The issue thus raised between the
legislature and the comptroller, by a dit
ference of opinion on that subject, do
not now propose to discuss before your
honorable bodies, as am not officially
party In 1t. The legislature now being
In session to take such action as may DO
deemed right and proper, IL is only
necessary 10 explain what has been done
to sustain the school Notwithstanding
that decision. Shortly after / heard OF
that decision. the. Hon. w. M. Brown,
comptroller, upon my invitation, did me
the courtesy TO call on me In my room
where l was confined from sickness, and
hear from me such arguments as could
then adduce, to induce him TO audit thu
accounts as he had been doing and defes,
his final decision until the Legislature
should be convened. Understanding that
he was willing to hold the matter under
consideration, / set about present.
ing my views in letter TO him
more fully than l had done. That
letter was written not In
spirit of dictation, and with an express
recognition of his conscientiousness In
the formation Of his judgment as 10 his
duty. In the meantime a letter was adj
dressed TO me by K. ii. Anderson, the
principal of the school, stating that the
account for three months previous
amounting to $lS03 AZ had not been
paid, that he had only two weeks
supplies, no credit and no
money, and expressed the hope
that some way could be devised 10 con
tinue the school. / had written 10 The
Hon. E. Ii. Pickett, president OF the board
OF directors Of the Agricultural and Me-
chanical college, advising that some effort
should be made to sustain the school, III
IL became necessary. No answer was re-
ceived, but the news OF his death reached
here before my letter was finished. The
president ofthe board was the only per-
board for action. just as the letter was
finished was Informed by the Hon. w.
M, Brown that he adhered TO his decision.
wrote at once to Mr.. q. y. Virgins, Of
Houston, one of the directors OF the Ag-
recultural and Mechanical college, sug-
gesting the propriety OF his using his In
fluence 10 get supplies and other means
TO support the school, upon the
faith that the legislature when lt met
would provide means for the payment OF
the accOunts-to which matter he
promptly applied himself. The publica-
tion of my letter having at
tracted public attention to the
condition of the school, several
gentlemen generously and voluntarily
undertook to aid in advancing means 10
support The school until the Legislature
should meet and act on the subject
Messrs Ellis and Carson, merchants OF
the city of Houston, have furnished sup
$500 worth per month for
February, March and April. Col. James
NJ. Burroughs, Of Galveston, furnished
$500 in money per month for the months
of February and March. and Jas II.
Raymond a. Co., of Austin, furnished
$500 in money for the month OF April.
Those gentlemen would have furnishedI
more II necessary. Accounts for theI
supplies and money advanced and exa
pended for the support OF the school will
be duly made out. for approval. Theft
amounts. with the amounts OF the nf4
counts that were rejected, win be fuif
nished TO the legislature.
The accounts for the support Of state
students at the A. a. NJ. college not hav-
ing been approved by the president al
the board, r. Is. Pickett, could not be
audited for payment by the comptr0lleis
Upon my suggestion the directors met