The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-07-22

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AS each succeeding session
las convened, from 1876 EDWARDS, 1t has
eemed that about oue.hait the members
lad some pet idea OF amending the instru-
ment but when the vote came they found
In the diversity Of opinion that no
one point could be carried; and |
the only two that were ever passed were |
voted down by the people. |
The first legislature under the constitution,
before its provisions had been tried, had
about twenty-five different amendments
before II, but never passed a single ont-h
rich commentary on the too previous
members who thus sought TO tear down,
rather than build up. u ,cli session tince
has had its full share OF wiseacres last
one somewhat OVERLOOKING IL we may judge
by their iourings and unheard.of reconsld..
erations. After the senate had labored
long 10 mature and pass the school'land
bill the house OF many discordant minds
attached no less thDn twenty-five amend
mehts 10 IL. Then oAnu disagreement be
tween the houheb--a committee OF
conference, next committee Of Tree con-
terence, and finally, hen-pecked and bad
gered, IL got through, with not d soul will
ing TO stand rs It's god .tather-a long, torlu-
Gus and rather confused plan Of accom-
plishing the great end desired by the
people, which Is the wise management and
disposition of the school lands OF the state.
Vet from the oft-repeated pulfs published
OF n portion OF the members, one would
Otherwise suppose IL was an exceptionally
able body. These remarks indicate that
the writer has had no sympathy with the
many wild schemes thus attempted to
change the organic law, but IL is the attri-
butte of reason ~ separate the true from
the false. and To support the right,
regardless of its parentage. IL Is
believed the last legislature, despite its
wrAnglings and short -cOmiDgs, aid d nam
Der OF wise aud meritorious things, and
among these are the three chief alterations
proposed In the constitution.
The first two amendments 90 sections
and o, Of article y simply provide that the
proceeds OF the sales Of state and county
school lands in addition TO state and
United States hs now United, may be iu-
vested In county or other securities, and
that the state or the county az the case
may be, shall be responsible Tor the In
veslment. This Is wise aud necessary
change, because stats bonds can no longer
be lad, aud United States bonds bear too
low a rate OF interest, being only 3 per cent.
to justify investing our school moneys In
them, when we can otherwise and safely
get or 3 per cent. and keep
the money In the state. In self-delense and
for soli-lnterest II seems clear that every
man In tie state ought 10 vote for these two
sections.
The amendment TO section 0, article &,
changes the mode and amount OF al valorem
taxation, IL reduces the state tax TO maxi.
mum OF thirty-live cents on the hundred
d0llars--nO county, city or town to levy
over twenty. cents for general purposes,
aud not over fifteen cents for roads and
bridges, excepting for the payment of debts
now existing; ana L + the erection Of public
buildings, street sewers and other perma-
nent improvements not to exceed twenty
i've cents. 30 the maximum limit Is fixed
AZ n reasonable rate for each specific pur-
pose, and for those essential and needml
purposes which will subserve the public
welfare in the improvement OF
counties, cities and towns The change
is desirable In every respect, and especially
to those who believe In paying for improve
ments M they are made, aud desire real
and not sham progress.
The next amendment IL to section 2
article OF the constitution. Instead OF
taking one-iouIth of the general tax, as now
provided, Tor the support ofpublic schools,
which amount IL so uncertain and iluCtuat-
ing ns seriously to retard systematic pro-
vision for schools II provides specific but
small direct tax for that purpose. In no
case can II exceed twenty cents on the hum
dred dollars, and II less than that, with the
other available funds, will run the schools
ak months In the year, then the tax will be
correspondingly less. II still gives one.
fourth OF the occupation and poll
tax money to the schools. Slight reilec-
ton TO all who really desire wise,
desirable and progressive system OF
common school education wholly severed
from politics, II must satisfy that this
Is a wise change. II will give stability,
health and growth to the system, as popu-
lation and wealth increase, and remove an
otherwise iusurmountablc objection to a
gradual reduction OF the state nj valorem
tax, and is, therefore, in harmony with the
amendment reducing the maximum OF that
tax from fifty to thirty-hve cents.
IL is hoped each of these amendments
may be ratified by the people at the election
ON the 18th of August,
AS TO the only other amendment, reduc.
ing the terms of the county courts the
writer has nothing to say, as he has not in
vesligated the matter, and can receive but
not bestow light, j, IL, b.