The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-01-18

! A. j. BT """", VIM ""hONh'
~ ~ villa -; .- Da-,ns: Tex.s:
place In the family that w0s due to the pc
| nle. and Texas having been sought !
| blood that knew what FREE dom and tqn
rights were, this flood, Pided by man
noble families descended from that of Ca
tile, soon inaugurated the movement thu
eliminated at San Jacintp and spoke ne
nation into life.
For many years the Republic of Texa
consisted of her ancient and noble SETTLE
ment in eastern Texas, the lower Brazo
settlement and the missions, including Sal
Antonio; her PROCESS was slow, but sooI
the idea OF annexation began to grow ant
was made a finality in 1885, her population
was then about 1901 souls, and as late a
1870 the total population was but little owe
100000. Up to near that peri d we had M
disturbing Questions about public lands
our free schools consisted in what wa
known as the INDECENT system; we had NJ
perplexing questions of taxation, the peni
Tertiary was almost mythical and our asy
lums were only known in name. The prin
cipal duty OF the executive was to sigr
patents and look to the frontier.
HOW CHANGED THE SCENE!
Over 1000, 900 population, and, instead o
the small settlements before mentioned, VIZ
find the entire country, "from the Red rive
to the Rio Grande and from the coast to T.
Paso," peopled, and yielding all the mate
rial products for the consumption of oul
race, while the Pan Handle supplies Chi
cago, New York, the Indian tribes and por
lions of Europe with beef, each section
constantly struggling for the mastery, ano
endeavoring to impress its ideas and laws
upon the state.
The public lands are exciting that energy
and calling forth that same spirit of gain
hat the gold fields of Australia and those
of California did. The growth and
settlement of the distant parts of our terri
tory have demonstrated the fact that laws
that are suitable for the Red River country
do not prove beneficial to the Rio Grande
and those that the coast desire are not well
and conflicting elements and interests must
We deal. Shall we float along in the
avenues Of the sluggard, caring nothing for
the future, or shall we deal with these great
interests as though we, and not posterity,
are to be affected by our action?
Prominent among the subjects that will
challenge the attention of this administra-
ton are:
The preservation of our common school
funu, including he lands set apart for that
purpose, and the improvement of our
school system.
It is known to the country that, prior to
my nomination at Galveston, l severely
criticised the practice of paying 40 per cent.
premium for our bonds, and no amount of
reasoning or financial skill can satisfy me
that the practice is justifiabie, either in re-
firing our bonded Indebtedness, or as an in
vestment for the school fund.
1t seems to be admitted by all that the
should be so amended as to
La l.ttr 10 lar, u aatl
schooi tax, without reference to the amount
of the general revenue that may be neces-
sary.
Another amendment to that instrument
will be necessary, with reference TO the
school fund.
The permanent fund belonging to the
common school can only be invested in
bonds of the Federal agency and of the
state.
The United States are refunding at so low
a rate that their bonds are not desirable for
that purpose, and very soon, we hope, the
state will have no bonded debt outstanding,
and we must, therefore, seek some other
mode of investing our permanent school
fund.
Shall we guard, protect and increase this
fund as o sacred trust, or shall we throw it
away by paying 40 per cent. premium for
an Investment? {.
The university was early contemplated
by those who have gone before. No one
questions the usefulness or propriety of
such an institution, and we suppose a ret
rOgade movement. with reference to it, is
not contemplated
THE PENITENTIARY! WHAT SHALL BE DONE
WITH OUR CoNyICTs?
It would seem that experience has taught
MS that there are but few "penitcHts" and
out few reforms accomplished in that insti-
luton, and, therefore, that it is probably
1t will be for the wisdom Of
The law-making power to prescribe the
proper management. l do not doubt but
there are numbers sent to that institution
for petty offenses, who should be punished
Is some other way; and for youths house
Of correction or other place of confinement,
and punishment should be devised l
doubt the propriety of sending any, no
matter what the age, to the penitentiary
Tor short periods OF time.
THE JUDICIARY.
Shall we amend our constitution so as to
unable MS 60 he-a q iuS'ci--- eausl-to Uur
demands, or shall we continue to multi
ply judges of courts of last resort? A lit
lie reflection will satisfy all that the evil
N the system is radical, and we must be-
gin the remedy in the trial courts.
TAXATION.
The earlier idea about occupation tax
vas that il should be laid on those occupa-
ions and pursuits that's were to be dis
,ouraged; but the modern practice APP
pears to be TO raise money, even at the
expense Of those most useful and desirable
s To an advalorem tav, there Is no iust
,ower to take from the citizen one
mill, il it is not absolutely required to
AIRY on his government in an econom-
cal manner. What belongs 10 the citi.
zen Is his absolutely, and his agents have
10 right to demand more than Is necessary.
Again, no greater temptation and invita-
ION to extravaganza, and even corruption
an exist, than a plethoric treasury. We
reed no other evidence Of this than that
,ilered in our landed system. After all the
leadrights, the augmentations, the dona-
ions and the bounties he'd been provided
or, there still renamed, say 100 OOO, 900
Icres of land. This was about the sum at
he close OF the war between the states.
These lands then began 10 attract the
Ittention Of the capitalist, the land
hungry and greedy, and scheme
Ifter scheme was resofted TO TO get hold
4 them. When standing in the
thirteenth legislature there were a few-a
plendid band-who protested against OPEN
ng the door that was felt TO be the first
,reak upon these lands. These men stood
midst the jeers and SCOTS Of those who
.ere clamorous for the golden egg, and
asting glance 20 the distant future and
Oreseeing that this rich field could not be
Onger guarded, Hs a last resort they intro
uced and had passed the law setting apart
ne-half Of the entire public domain for
EDUCATIONAL purposes. They took the only
tep left them to secure TO posterity
mall pittance Of that spleBdid educational /
und; but the door was broken down and Il /
Ias gone, until nov there is but a remnant. |
think ] see away down the corridors Of
ims, this splendid territory teeming with /
Millions. No more public lands; no more 1
heap hOmes-pOverty and squalid want |
fast and thick around the inhab- /
b fle fragments Of our history and resd 70 |
he gsz7g ard mind-famished multitude !
low this ssnerafion had in its power and /
-eeuing und that should have gathered !
Ike the ,pOvtsll 81 time rolled on, and .
IOU m ~ had been true 10 ourselves 20 I