The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-10-03
E. W. MORTON FOR Gov
ERNOR.

Following is the address of Col. E. w
Morton, of Fort Worth, announcing his candi-
dacy as independent candidate for lieutenant
governor. Colonel Morton belongs to the
new men of the state; he is a liberal, enter
prising, able man, and will make an excellent
lieutenant governor:
Fellow Citizens of Texas:
Believing, from repeated assurances and So
icltatons from different parts of the state that
the use OF my name for the Office of lieutenant
governor will aid the independent movement
IN our state, take this method of complying
with the request to become a candidate for the
oface OF lieutenant governor of the state of
Texas. In announcing myself as candidate
Tor such an important trust, it is proper that
should make known the principles which ad-
vocate. will state that since 1870 nv citi-
zenshi p has been in Texas. My family, prop
erty, interests, prospects and expectations are
all in, of and for Texas.
l have never been in politics, either in the
state from which I came, or since my resi-
dence in Texas, but have been engaged in
business enterprises exclusively. have moth.
ing to conceal touching all questions of state
policy now being agitated and discussed by
the distinguished gubernatorial leaders canvas
ing the state.
In order that the best interests Of our people
may be subserved and the prosperity, inteli-
gence freedom and happiness diffused and
promoted, believe that a thorough system of
public schools should be established and
maintained for snch length of time in each
year as may be commensurate with the wants
OF the people, say for six to ten months, as
may be desired in different localities. That
the present law restricting public school priv
ileges to children between the ages of eight to
fourteen. IS a burlesque upon intelligence and
fraud upon the rising generation, and thus
the dates ought SO be enlarged so as to give
the benefit of free education to all between
the ages OF six and twenty-one. That the
public school lands should be sold to actual
settlers only in order that the wild speculation
in our public school lands may be checked
and encouragement offered to immigration of
enterprising farmers and stock raisers. That
no taxes should be collected for cash balances.
but only for the necessary expenses of the
state government, the maintenance of public
schools and the liquidation of the state debt.
That the odious and unjust laws imposing taxes
upon manhood, occupation and business enter
prise are disgrace to our statute books, and
therefore should be repealed. That the bour-
bon policy of antebellum and native born
Texans only is calculated to retard the de-
veloPment OF our great state and growing
commonwealth, and in order that the perni-
cous effects of such narrow-minded and un-
progressive policy may be combated and over
come immigration should be encouraged, man
ufactories established, more railroads con-
structed, the lnvestmentment of capital invited,
and every industry protected and encouraged
that would aid in building up the state or de-
veloping her vast resources.
That the bourbon democratic method re-
sorted to in portions of this state to stiAe and
nullify the efficiency of the ballot is reprcach
to free government and calls aloud upon every
good, freedom loving citizen to champion a
fair ballot and a fair and honest count, and
that every ballot shall be counted as cast.
That our civilization shall not longer be
disgraced by the confinement of lunatics like
felons IN Jails and prisons Ample provisions
should be made for keeping these poor un-
fortunates in well-ordered asylums.
That the convict lease system, which is an
outrage upon society, the unfortunate convict
and the honest laboring men of our state.
should be abolished, and ample penitentiary
room should be provided in different parts Of
the state for utilizing the labor of all state
prisoners. -.
That in lieu of the present unjust capitation
road tax law, an act should be passed provid-
ing for an ad valorem property tax for road
and bridge purposes, to be equitably and care
fully expended under the sanction Of the COM
missioners' courts Of the several counties.
The foregoing are among the most vital
questions Of state policy now being discussed
before the people Of Texas.
AS to national politics, candidates for state
Offices have no concern. l, as candidate of
the people, independent of party conventions
and causes, shall not attempt to advocate the
views of any of these three national parties.
wish to call attention to the fact that,
Reform in or Of party, while successful, is
impossible. The anti-free school element of
the bourbon party has welded and still Yields
so great influence over the progressive free
school democrats that a com lete system of
education cannot be expected to be given bv a
bourbon state administration.
Reform, progress, the repeal of odious laws,
the exposure of frauds and dishonest acts of
public servants are attainable only by the cleo
ton of men free and independent of the in
tiuence or control of any and all political or
ganzallons. Respectfully,
Z. w. MoRTRN.
Fort Worth, Sept. aS, 1882.