The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-25

modern practice appears to be to raise money,
even at the expense OF those most useful and
desirable. AS TO an adv llorem tax, there l. no
just power to take from the citizen one mil, II
IL is not absolutely required to carry
on his government in an economical manner.
What belongs to the citizen IS his absolutely
and his agents have no right to demand more
than IS necessary. Again, no greater tempta-
ton and invitation TO extravaganza, and even
corruption can exist, than q plethoric treas
ury. We need no other evidence of this than
that offered in our landed system. Alter all
the headlights, the approximations, the dOna-
tons and the boundaries had been provided
for, there still remained, say one hundred and
twenty million acres OF land. This was about
the sum at the close OF the war between the
states. These lands then began to attract tine
attention of the capitalists, the land hungry
Snd greedy, and scheme after scheme was re
10 rted 10 TO get hold OF them. When standing
an the thirteenth legislature there were few
"a splendid band-who protested against
opening the door that was felt TO be the first
break upon these lands. These men stood
amidst the jeerS and SCOTS Of those who were
clamorous for the golden egg, and casting a
glance to the distant future and foreseeing
that this rich field could not be longer guarded,
as last resort they introduced and had
passed the law setting apart One-half OF the
entire public domain for educational purposes.
posterity small pittance O-that splendid ed
ucatiOnal fund.- but the door was broken down
and it has gone. until now there is but "a rem
nant.
/ think see, away down the corridors of
time, this splendid territory teeming with
millions. No more public lands; no more
cheap hOmeS-poyerty and squalid want gath
ering fast and thick around the inhabitants
when some one OF them VIII gather up the
fragments of our history and read to the gaZ-
ing and mind-famished multitue how this gem
Grafton had in its power and keeping a fund
that should have gathered like the SNOWFALL rs
time rolled on. and how, II we had been true
to ourselves, to posterity, TO them, they could
taxes, reared school houses. built roads and
bridges-and then see them turn with deep
mutteringS, from the wicked folly that craZed
our people from 1865 to 1882.
l know that there is a popular fallacy
abroad that finds expression in such language
as damn posterity, let it take care of itself.
pity the heart can thus speak. Not so spoke
our ancestOrs-the fathers. They saw not To-
day, but looking with an eye OF faith and wis
dom away in the distance they saw US, and
labOred and tOiled for us.
OUR COMMON HIGHWAYS,
Our laws on this subject are defective. There
seems to be no reason why all who own prop
erty or reside near the roads should not con
tribute to support them. Tine youth, the aged
and the nonresident, having property that is
benefited by highway, should bear proper
proportion of its burdens, as well as those
within certain ages.
OUR RAILWAYS.
The constitutional requirement that the
legislature shall pass laws to regulate and
TALLY performed. The people demand the full
fillment of this plain constitutional duty.
1t is not the the work of an hour, nor to be
performed without mature study. These rail-
ways are our institutions; their value and util-
ity to the country are not to be questioned;
their management has challenged and bafiled
the highest order OF talent, and whatever is
done, 1t is to be hoped will be done in the spirit
of justice and equity, that will prove adequate
to our wants, without Gripping or injuring the
railways.
THE FRONTIER
That the time is rapidly approaching when
We will have no frontier, i'll The sense of an
Indian border constantly subject to incursions
of hostile SavageS, is certain, and yet those
familiar with our borders and the enforcement
of our laws, will readily cOncede the fact that
the time has not arrived for the disarmament
OF our state forces.
EXECUTION OF THE CRIMINAL LAW.
There are three things imperatiyely de-
manded to a proper execution OF these laws:
l. We must have a good judiciary, which
without better salaries.
2. A salary to the prosecuting officer that
will insure talent and fidelity to duty, that
will be equal to our young, vigorous and SPLEEN
g. A higher sense of duty On the part OF
jurles.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
This is theme dwelt upon by statesmen OF
all parties state and federal; it goes forth in
| state papers of the most solemn character; we
| get it in prose and poetry, and no sooner has
| than it dies; often a silent DEATH without 81
much as prayer being offered at its Obse
quieSS
Happily for the American people the last
and most glaring breach Of public decency has
| been rebuked by an outraged people in q man
| ner so severe that we Shall not likely, in the
next few years, hear of Hubbell organization
or cabinet minister rendered by the CHIEF
| magistrate of our federal agency for governor
| of state; or OF quarantine guards and reYe
| nue. officials undertaking to conduct elections.
| ha IL h1tl nd
| it has not been done by people unfaithful tC
| the spirit of our institutions, for all govern.
ments here are the peoples, no less that of the
states than the federal, and whether improper
interference with the elections comes from
| those in authority in the state or federal gov
eminent, it Is the right and bOunden duty OF
| the people to rebuke 1.-THE more severely the
| higher the source from whence ii comes.
In assuming the duties of this very RESPONSE
| Bile office, L do, to-day, although elected as q
| partisan, declare that the oath of Office dis
| arms the pOlitician and leaves me free to deal
with all alike, and whatever asperities may
| have been engendered in political contests, !
| thank God that have moral courage enough
to remember that am the chief magistrate o.
| great people and state. and that it is then
| affairs, and not my own, with which have tC
| deal.
| of the same public trust, l have to say, that
while degree of individuality in all is neces
sary ingredient, still / trust that We meet will
| that spirit of fOrbearance and concession that
| will render the aggregated will useful to Om
| country, and in inviting their hearty cO-0pera
| ton, L deem it proper to say that they will fine
| in me, at all times, not only Willingness u
| hear others and consult their views, but u
| make all necessary concessions III order thai
| the incoming administration may meet the eX
| pectatiOns OF this splendid commonwealth.
| Fidelity to the constitutions of our country,
| state and federal, Is the true test OF loyalty
| and he who tramples upon these or does Other
illegal acts in the name of law is the yilest o.
| laW-breakerS.
May we hope that our school lands and the
/ common school fund will be guarded with thai
| spirit of jealousy ard devotion to trust anC
| duty that the magnitude of the subject de
| mandS.
It is not unknown that the section of oul
| state where these lands are situated feels Z
| deep interest in this subject, and while the pub
| avoided to retard or annoy any section, still
| know that that gallant people will not require
a guardian of a great public trust to lose sign
| of the fact that he does indeed represent al
| the people and all sections of our state, anC
that devotion to this great trust is OF the frs
and highest consideration.
OUR INSANE.
Shall the institution intended for the treat
| ment, care and cure of this unfortunate class
be longer thing in name, or shall we make i
| equal to the demands of justice and humanity
These and many other subjects, not necessa
| ~ now to enumerate, Will receive more elaD
| crate attention in direct communication to the
/ two houses.
With regard to the management of our vari
Gus INSTITUTIONS OF ~ OLlCc tufIe
in, wish to say that the first great considera
ton has. and will continue TO be, the good o
| the public service. and when L do not tllinl
| this service can be bettered, no removals VII
believe in the fullest and freest ballot, anC
do not cherish the slightest luminosity toward
| those who offered manly opposition TO m.
election, and as the executive, nave no enc
mics to punish.
We can have but few state secrets; this gov
eminent belongs to the people; it is republican
in form and should be in fact; the people
| agents in time of peace can Tightfully have bu
few matters before them that should be with
sues, a discerning and just public sentimen
| will sooner or later dO1ustlce.
The true theory Of republican government Il
that each individual shall have an equa
chance in life, and exclusive or eXtraordinar
privileges should be given to none. Let eacl
government taking care only that no one Cd
structs or molests the other, so long as eacl
attends to his own affairs.
Let us multiply the machinery OF govern
ment as little as possible, adhere to the sim
plicity, purity and honesty OF the fathers, an
see how best to excel in virtue, purity o
character and i'm all those things that make u
light to our race.
Il We are blessed by natures bOuntes Tar be
yond the majority of our race; that theS
blessings are appreciated by the world
shown in our wonderful growth. Where, Il
the history of the past, has a state risen fron
less than million to nearly two millions o
wealth of u people grown US ours In the las
ten years?
To share these wonderful blessings of cl
mate cheap homes, fertile soil, health and 10y
| taxes we invite and welcome the induStrlou:
the well disposed and enterprising OF all tn