Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-12-03
ANOTHER INTERVIEW.
Senator shanron's Opinieu Of Fence.
Cutiing, Tax Reduction and
other Curregt Tonics.
Corrcspondence ofthe Gnzdtle.


Other Current Torics.
Correspondence ofthe Gazette.
Weaihcrford, December l.--Scnate
w. Il. shannon Of this, the 2Oth All.
trici, has been resident ofthis mari :
texns since 1858. He is now sefyin,
ms seventh term in the leyisl,tur
OF the state, three In the lower hons
ana four In the senate, making four
teen y,ars In all he has h,jna,l !.
shape the Legislation and guide M
destiny OF this great sta,a
lie also served with dlstinction y,
colonel of a regiment in the late 700, n,
and fought for the lost cause mill H.
nag went down IN blood and smoke.
ni,eeming the opinion of such a man ~
iikeiy To be OF interest to the hubble nj
THIS time ! sought him with regard ia
the subject OF most Importance en-.
oraced IN the call Of Gov. Ireland for
an extraordinary session of the Iepis.
nature, that might lay them before
the readers of the GAZETTE. Renar-
ing TO his Inv Office, / found him On.
gagged in examining some very
rlch specimens of silver ora
when he obtained from mine i'm
which he Is interested in New Mexico
on ms recent trip to that territory
said W.
"Senator Shannon, what do Won
think of the fence-cutting troubles 81
think them attributable mainly
to two causes:
First, A disposition on the mart of
nd II
are able TO fence large bodies of land
to disregard the rights of the poor and
helpless, by fencing large bodies
oil land over which they have
no legal or equitable con-
Irol, and which belong in common to
all who wish TO use the grass, until
the rightful owner sees proper to fence
1t up
Seconded disposition on the part of
stockmen, both large and small, who
want free range, who desire to Invest
their all In stock and nothing In lands,
TO deter men from buying up the pub
lie lands. To cut their fences il tanta-
mount to forcing them off the market
as well as out of the country
well, colonel, what remedy do you
propose for the evils of which you
have given the cause ?n
" h! there's the rub! / confess the
question is a puzzling one. / fear, and
doubt the ability of the legislature 10
providean adequate remedy, because
the Legislature can not control public
opinion. We have law on the stat
ute books against fence cutting. IL the
present law has not been, and will not
be enforced, the juries of the country
certainly would not apply n harsher
penalty. believe | have got TO hear
of the first Instance in which n fence
cutter has been legally punished for
his crime. The remedy my lie in the
removal of the first cause as given
above. If the state prohibit men from
fencing more land than they actually
control, and the jurles of the country
can be made TO feel that it il the policy
of the legislature TO give all a chance
AT the grass, which is such a powerful
factor In this western country, il may
be that public sentiment Will gradually
assume the proper state, when the pct
~ crime OF ience-cutting can be pun
ished ~ IL deserves. ! do not think a
heavier penalty will be any remedy at
ALL for the reason given before, III u
jury Is iudisposed to fine man Il
trivial sum for cutting Il fence they
certainly will not put him in the pen
itentiary for it. Ii is not the severity
OF the penalty that deters crime, but
the certainty of itss enforcement.
The fact that n great many
stocl. ARE Injured by wire
fences may serve to incense some men
against them, and il might assist in a
solution of the difficulty 10 put up
nothing but legal fence With board
on top, rs required by law"
"Well, senator. what Is your posi-
ton on the reduction of the taxesW
~ do not believe the aggregate
of tax can he reduced much, If
any. 1t will take, apprehend,
eighteen cents on the 500 worth, for
general purposes, while | think
twelve cents will not be more than
enough, with the increase of scholas-
tic population, 10 run the pubic
schools six months rs required
by the lately amended constitution.
/ think ii, however, II good opporlu-
nity To repeal the occupation tax law.
do not believe in taxing occupations
except such AS are itinerant in their
nature and those who deal In the mere
luxurles of life, such n liquor dealers.
etc.n
''Senator, what action, in your opln-
ion, should the legislature take win
TO the Investment of the school
fund.-
"phe amended constitution already
provides that the fund shall be in
vested in United States, state and
bonds. II provides also that
the legislature may, if 1t secs proper
invest in other securities. think the
should add one more
TO the securities mentioned, aud then
atop. 1t should empower the comp
troiler To buy municipal bonds when
issued at fair rate of Interest 10 hulld
pubIic school.houses. Beyond this !
am no. willing to jeOpardize the snilOni
fund which should be esteemed rs sa-
cred ~ the honor of the state
.NVell, senator, what provision 90
YOU think should be made for the I'M
provement of our public highways, II
anyw .a,a
roads, and will advocate specific road
tax Tor that purpose" ,n
nOne more question, senator, WIN
reference TO natiolal politics ana am
done: The old ticket what chance
- anco.aa ,rould the Democracy have