The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-11
BEN. BUTLER
On Woman Suffrage, Poll Tax, Re-
form and Kindred Topics.


form and Kindred Topics.
BOSTON, Jan. 4.-Governor Butler
in his inaugural address, presents his
views upon free and equal suffrage at
great length. He suggests that q
nominal poll tax for state purposes be
assessed, as now, on the polls of citi-
zens, and then ii any citizen chooses
to pay itaby voting let that act be a
discharge and payment of such tax
He recommends revision OF regis
tratiun and that it be sufficiently
guarded to preventIfraudS without be-
ing an actual obstruction upon voters.
Regarding a free ballot and fair count.
he says: why not provide that all
votes shall be enclosed in self-sealing
envelopes Of the same size, quality and
color, to be furnished by the state.
The size and complexion of the ballot
would be immaterial. The law still
remains on the statute book that re-
quires an envelope for such purpose
shall always he furnished at the polls.
The legal machinery is ready, and to
make it effectual the permissive clause
is only to be made obligatory" The
suggestion is made that a law be pass
ed allowing women to vote, under the
same regulations as men, in municipal
elections, which law shall take effect
when it shall be accepted by MAORI
ty of the women voting at some gen.
eral election, and provision to be made
obviating the objection that women
may have to go into ward
rooms and voting places for
the purpose of exercising
suffrage. The governor recommends
that the elections of city governments
take place OH the same day as the
general election, and that election day
be made a legal holiday. The law
restricting naturalization TO the
and superior courts should,
he says, be repealed. The labor ques-
ton will form the subject of a fur
space is devoted to the question of
crimes, and the legislature is asked to
pass an act providing that whoever is
convicted of wilfully attempting TO
disrail a moving train shall suffer
death. The evils of dealing in
futures and ''cornering" wheat
and corn is dwelt upon,
and legislation is recommended
TO stop the abuse.
Particular attention is given to re-
formatOry, corrective and paupers
institutions, and it is shown that the
expenses tal,ssalIl.aaISieS- Isild sageats- are
more than all other expenses for sup |
porting the poor by $4,000. Legisla- |
ion is suggested looking to an improv-
nent in the disciplining of persons
md making the institutions efficient |
Is reformatoTieS. causing the labor of |
he prisoners to he self-supporting, |
md providing that every prisoner |
nay work off apOrtion Of his sentence |
,Very month; and the investment of a |
certain per centage of the earnings of |
prisoners as fund to be given them
when discharged, to start them |
n the world again. The |
of convict labor at sew
raj houses of correction outside the |
walls, in raising the food they con-
,ume, is spoken of as terrible. The |
Ollowing institutions, the governor |
ays, should be abolished: The state |
prison for women, the re.
.orm school for boys, and the indus
rial school for girls. as they are too
,Ostly for any supposed good they do.
The message tavors an asylum,
With kind treatment, for idiotic
md feeble minded youth, but
lot a school. When the state
hall have sufficiently educated every |
Fright child within its border, it will |
" time to undertake the education of |
he idiotic and feeble minded. A well |
ed, well cared for idiot is happy |
,reature; but an idiot awakened to his |
is miserable. Careful con-
alteration is given to the insane of the |
state. The extravaganza in buildings
md the general management of this |
class of people is severely commented
upon and an appeal is made to change |
Ill this in future and provide for man.
lgement upon economical and bust |
ness principles. He says the doors of |
insane establishments, both public |
md private, open altogether too easily !
inward, and with too great difficulty |
outward, in the reception and dis
charge of their inmates. This should |
Je carefully guarded by legislation.
A recommendation is made that a |
officer for all state sup
plies Of every name be appointed, with
/ salary sufficient to insure the service
If competent business man, to be
by the executive for |
,hree years. The governor congratu-
ates the commonwealth that one
branch of civil service reform-viz:
ixedness of tenure Of otfice-is al
'eady in operation in the state,
md has been since 1879.
iov. Butler then, without saying he
,avors any national measure proposed
20 reform the civil service, gets in a
blow at the expense of the Republican
OF Massachusetts, who
lie AYERS have very generally appoint
ID relatives to subordinate places.
Whole families are sometimes appoint
ID to salaried places. Besides, the
'ule is with hardly exception enough
% prove its correctness, that all sal
Lried officials at least of the higher
trades have been and are of a given
political faith. He says there are more
PERSONS employed than is necessary to
AIRY on business, and ne advises that
It least one-third of these shall be cut
III and salaries reduced by law. If
my resign on account of such reduc-
ion, he will undertake to fill their
places with competent men. He sug-
rests the passage of "A law prohibiting
wo of family holding office in the
anne department, and further that if
here are two or more already in,
he one who appointed his relatives
hould go out. Laws should +
'e enacted to reduce taxes on
armers and laboring men and womenE
nd to prevent the wealthy from n
payment of tax by practice%
veil known to all. One of the be-
to lessen taxes is to aboli ID |
II unnecessary offices and cut off IN |
expenditures. He u 70
ests against the oVerworking of 81 ]
Dad employees and carelessness a
heir safety. The closing part CT F5qu
ddreSs is devoted to consideratidpIol
he subject of education, and the gov
rnor sums up his ideas as follows:
"As prevention OF pauperism and
rhine, to fit our people for
uffrage, use all the educational force 4
t state. Educate the masses up to a
ertain necessary point. The classes, u
bove will and ought to educate them
elves up to this high point. Do no
axe the common fund and give to -
ew or have it exDended in such a