The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1882-01-26
THE ROBERTS-BROWN IdBROG-
Ito

There can be no sentiment but that
OF regret over the clash of opinion be-
tween Governor Roberts and Comp
troller Brown, regarding the legality
of warrants drawn on the university
fund for the support Ofthe PrsirleYiew
normal school. This issue between
these high officials is Of such recent
development that most of our readers
are familiar with Its details. For the
Information of those who are not, 1t
may be stated that the Prairie View
school is branch of the State Agrl-
cultural and Mechanical college at
Bryan, although located i'll another
county. 1t sis operated for the es-
pecial training of colored young men
aud women, fitting them for teaching
in the pnblic schools. Hereto
fore it mas drawn about $1,000
annually from the state, and
the money appears to have been
wisely expended, the result amply vim
dicating the suggestions vouchsafed
by the Governor in 1879, when ur-
ging the reorganization of the insti-
tution on its present basis. To the
the establishment of the Governor,
and, we may add, nearly everybody
else, the Comptroller has quite re-
Gently reiusedto recognize the legality
of drafts drawn for the support of
the school, and as consequence the
institution is Oh the verge of dissolu-
uon. Ia justice to Mr.. Brown il
should be stated that he holds the
university fund is now IA kind of
sacred trust, not to be encroached
upon for any purpose, save the estab-
| hshmGnt and maintenance of the
| university of Texas, established by
popular vote when the questions of
location and division were sub
mitted to the people last
September. The Governor holds a
directly opposite view, and hence the
clash. 1t is further stated, though
how authOritatively we cannot say,
that Acknowledgement McLeary
agrees with the Governors view of
the matter. Thus the difficulty
stands, the Comptroller assuming the
right of absolute discretion, claiming
to be supported by the constitution,
while Governor Roberts claims equal
constitutional endorsement for his at
titude. Meanwhile the school. cut of
from support, i going to the dogs,
iiguratiYely speaking. The imbroglio
is an unfortunate one, provocative OF
probably deplOrable results, not alone
in the scandal it creates, but on ac-
count OF the palpable injustice il ell
tails upon one class Of our popula-
ton, to-wit, the colored people.
Ne dare say the Comptroller
is conscientious III the stand he has
taken, but il does seem that he is
INDUCING in some very tiue hair
splitting-rathcr too tiue when tested
by the rules of common SENSE and
equal justice. Certainly the Gov
ernor's course will elicit the largest
measure OF public sympathy and ap
probation. because he is, to use a rather
homely but Ineligible phrase, do
ing the fair thing As he construes
the constitution and laws, they are
not partial III their operations and
beneticence. The colored student, as
well as the white, has claims on the
states fostering care and encourage
ment; and the very fact that the
colored is the weaker and dependent
race of the two, gives it a certain ap.
preciab!e place in the sympathy Of
the powerful dominant party coniroli-
ing state affairs. Without indulging
III specific disapproyal of the Comp
troller's position, the EXAMINER is
inclined to believe Governor Roberts
is nearer right in this matter, and
that he viii be sustained by the
best thought OF the State. We
not advised what steps, if any, he will
take to give force to his convictions,
but it occurs to US that the suggestion
Of the Houston Post, that man
damus upon the Comptroller be sued
out, and of the solution of the doubt
left TO the supreme court, Is the best
way out OF the difficulty. The i'm
brogliO should not be suffered to re-
main in its present attitude.