The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-01
rcontInued from Fourth page.l

from these waters by those occupying
the property Immediately on thu
stream. II would seem to amount t.
public necessity, and that every few
miles there should be access to thest
streams.
refer to my remarks on taking the
oath of Office for my views on TINS
subject, with the further remark that
all persons, whether owning property
or not, within the boundaries, shoulu
be required to contribute.
THE BLIND ASYLUM.
This institution, with Il few add.
tional improvements, seems 10 meet
the public demand.
Like the management Oh the penn
tentiaries. am unable TO see why the
oculist for that institution should not
be subject to the superintendent.
The superintendent is thrown IN
contact with an officer that ne mas no
voice in appointing or removing. lie
does not feel 1t his duty TO look alter
his subordinate, nor does ne, lndeed,
feel at liberty 10 speak to him freely
even when asked. The executive
cannot hold the superintendent re
sponsible, because he does not appoint
him, and yet the executive must rely
upon the superintendent, TO a great
extent, because il is only through MN
that the governor can be informed.
respectfully suggest, therefore, that
the law be changed and made To con-
form to this view OF the subject.
EXECUTION OF THE CRIMINAL LAWS.
It is not unfrequently the case that
peace officers either absent themselves
or willfully close their eyes to viola
tons of the laws, and there should be
a heavy penalty attached to derelic-
ton of duty in this respect, to be en-
forced by indictment against any
peace officer, whether state. county, or
municipal, who fails or refuses to ar
rest, or otherwise bring TO trial, any
person violating any law or city ordi-
nance, when the violation occurs, If
known TO such officer or is brought to
his attention. A peace officer should
not be allowed to wait, when he
knows the fact otherwise, for the pri-
vate citizen to 60 forward and COM
mence proceedings.
THE RAILWAYS.
1t is understood that this subject is
now under consideration by the two
houses.
Experience has demonstrated that
some one especially charged with the
duty of seeing that these institutions
perform their duty to the people is
the only sure mode of protecting
them. Persons with small capital
cannot and will not contend for their
rights when withheld by these corpo-
rations, and / therefore recommend
communication - th lQN r m
persons be appointed, in such manner
al the legislature may select, to take
charge of that subject
THE AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANIC
CAL COLLEGE.
There has been from the very begin.
ming a popular prejudice against this
institution, but the foundation for q
splendid institution of learning il
there too deeply laid to allow us to
falter, and hope this institution, as
well as the normal schools, will receive
at your hands the attention that is TO
quired to make them progressive. The
college will require an appropriation
| also submit that some changes
should be made in the institution with
reference to the students that are ad.
mitted.
If the children and wards of per.
sons amply able TO give them good
education only are to be admitted oil
entered at the school, it is respectfully
submitted whether it should not be
made self-sustaining, or largely 80.
THE STATE FORCE.
Our rapidly spreading settlements,
and vast extent of territory, appear To
demand a small military organization,
AND recommend the retention of the
force now in active service. Society
is often saved a shock by the presence
of this force, and in pecuniary way
it is not money thrown away.
ARTICLE 3299, REvIsED STATUTES
recommend the repeal of article
32o9, revised statutes. IL appears Il
be entirely useless, and there appear:
to be an incompatibility between 8
military organization and private cor
porations. Again this article and 'tht
others dependent on it appear to al
low or permit such an organization
without the sanction or authority OF
the executive, who, by the constitu'
ton, Is made supreme over the mi
litia.
hAOEAlI UT LAMB DOONAA ~ =
STATE FOR TAXES.
1t has been a custom in the past t.
extend the time from year to year fol
the redemption of property purchased
by the state when sold for taxes.
This practice is believed to be IL
violation of section 10, article 3, of the
constitution.
Where this is done taxation cannot
be uniform and equal. The state ha:
no right to credit one person for hi
taxes and reQuire the balance to pay
promptly. Section !, article 8.
VACCINATION.
respectfully submit, whether vac
-cination should not be made compul'
sorry. The Judgment of mankind is
that it is, when properly done, a pre-
tentative to the small poY. am, as
general rule, very thoroughly op-
posed to paternal governments, but on
this subject l am rs firmly fixed.
JUDICIARY.
On this subject | have to repeat
what have said before:
If our system was so changed as tC
place two good lawyers on the bench
= of the trial courts; dispense with jury
service (Which has become extremely
onerous to our people, in a large class
of cases; make the Judgment of thess
two judges final In vast amount Of
cases; allowing appeals when these
Judges will certify difference OF
: opinion, we would more than save thu
additional salary of judge, in dispen
sing with juries as suggested, and liti
cation would then be ended in {
reasonable time. The few appeals
would be readily disposed of by thre,
go judges of the court Of last resort
because the very questions to be pass
ed upon would be pointed out by thu
/ certificate of division.
So far Us making the Judgment o
the trial court final, think it will b.
readily conceded that two good law
yers holding the trial court would b
much more competent, with the wit
nesses and facts all before them. +
determine case correctly. than thre,
(3) or more judges holding the appel
late court could do on a transcript
sent up. BY this system many of tn
inferior courts could be DISPENSE
with.
With the rapid increase of popula
ton and business we will have to con
tinue the increase of appellate judges
= unless we begin the reform in the tria
courts. The evils of the constant in
crease of appellate courts are felt II
more than one direction. The mos
serious consequence attending il i
the constant unSettlinQ of our svsten