The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-29

lnllutlCt dlll oCtldlOi lCAC. Inv oNH
ate and house are also integral parts
of this government, and while nave
voted for and sustained, and desire to
sustain the executiye-while l have
deprecated the attacks made on him
about this lease, because / feared they
were not deserved, still L say right
here that l will, while senator, vote
ON my own convictions Of right and
duty, regardless of who differs with
me. | have been lifelong Democrat,
but always on principle, and my no
tions of duty require me to now OPP
pose this lease. So far from inJurlng
the administration, the rejection OF
that lease would give 1t strength,
for il would result in the saving
OF millions for the state,
and promoting humanity IN the
management of convicts. Our late
governor will tell any one curious TO
know, that / declared TO him when
that lease was made, that | would
never vote to ratify it unless my con-
victions changed.
The suggestion that | desired to be
a leader in this question needs no
answer. / neither desire to lead, nor
will be led by any man, and your
Journals show that more than once
while voting my convictions / have
stood solitary and alone. The fear
that the resolution is intended to
drive or lobby rs an outside force on the
house Is groundless; with much more
propriety we might object to the
views of the governor being paraded
here at this late hour to influence
senators.
The proposition to postpone action
on this joint resolution until next
Thursday is full of danger. When it
is taken up it must be read on two
more days, and if we pass it it must
be read ON three several days in the
house. A hundred members by that
time, fearing adjournment. will be
each pressing his own bill for action,
and this session will close with no
time to consider our resolution re, Ok
ing the lease. Then, when two thou
sand convicts are competing with
honest industry all over Texas, on
public works, it will be no answer to
the people to say that the
two houses could not agree
on amendments, and so we
had To let the contract stand in all its
deformity. The remedy is in the
Joint resolution, which declares that
ii the two houses fail to agree on
amendments to the lease, it shall be
revoked.
What strange spectacle does this
whole business present A contract
advertised for on one basis and let on
another, with competition thus prac-
tically shut off, is sought to be doc
tored up here by legislative amend
ments, with all competition equal
ly shut off. and with informa-
ton rs to what the contractors
will stand, and what they won't
stand, obtained from the lobby. Now,
the senator's reference to the record
on the passage of the penitentiary act
~ is very small matter; and
4 welcome to all he can make of
He will search the journals in.
vain to find that ! ever voted for that
act, and S~be equally unable to
U over in any other way APP
My opposition to that act
denounced, and every senator
u then knew my views knows it.
knew they were hunting the
Journals two weeks ago to see
If something could not be gained
by these lease men in showing
that / was inconsistent. Suppose /
had been, how would that justify a
legislative ratification of contract to
transfer over two thousand human
beings for fifteen years to speculative
contractors, who would have no in
terest III them except to work them
for money, and at loss of $2,0OO,000
to Texas? No sophistry can gallop
over these facts, and IL we fail of ac-
ton this session, on account of 1t, 1t
Will be "A sad day for Texas.
MIR. President, when / am told that
the governor approves the senate's
action in ratifying this lease, will
oRy answer that his worst enemy
wish him no greater calamity
than to be loaded hereafter with the
odium of its confirmation. if through
his influence all action should be de-
feated, and the lease should stand
with none of the safeguards afforded
by the senate amendments. To pre-
vent such result we should act now
-on the resolution, for delay may be IA
tai.
Mr.. Matlock spoke ut length in
favor of postponement.
Mr.. Randolph-Mr. President
Mr.. Davis-Point of order.
Mr.. Randolph win speak If the
senator from Cooke instructs me to.
OF course, am not to speak unless he
desires me to.
Mr.. Davis-I would like very much
TO hear from the senator from Madi-
son.
Mr.. Randolph-In obedience to the
instructions of the senator from
Cooke, / am here now before this sen
ate. In regard to postponing this res.
olution, / think consideration of it
shouldnot be deferred. The statement
that the resolution is intented as
lever on the house is unwarranted
and incorrect. The gentleman from
Montague says that the house does
not pay much attention to this senate,
and do not blame them. If we pass
this resolution il will not affect them,
If his assertions are true. So far as
using any unfair means towards de-
feating this lease Is concerned, l am
opposed to using any means that are
not fair, Just and honorable. III the
intention of this resolution were to
exert any influence upon the house to
defeat legitimate lease, | would cast
my vote against it. Ii it is political
tAAth VI ouUtCAAukC, VI IL OnC ACcOlu-
ton were to subserve an unjust and
dishonorable end, would oppose il.
But l cannot see any improper
effect il would have, If it would
have any effect at all. 1t
brings up an issue, and if
the house, according to my notion
of the law. adopts the amendments of
the senate, still that fifteen years lease
will go on, unless the law is repealed;
because, the law requires either rat
ifcation or disapproval of the con-
tract of lease made by the board. So
long as that law Is in force upon the
statute book this legislature is bound
by its provisions. The board, under
contract, leased the penitentiaries
for fifteen years. 1t is solemn con-
tract, entered into by parties compe-
tent to contract and authorized by
law to contract, subject to ratification
or rejection of this legislature. We
have not ratified it, we have not re-
jected tive have only modified 1t;
and these limitations have not been
acted upon by the house. The result
will be. without repeal of the law, the
existence for period of fifteen
years lease most unfortunate in its
provisions to the state. | think it i'm
> portant that the resolution should be
engrossed. 1T the senate and house are
both in favor of the fifteen years lease,
why, let them say SO. If the senate
is in favor of fifteen years lease this