The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-18
to facilitate commercial intercourse with the

to facilitate commercial intercourse with the
tropical regions.
splendid capitol for the state has been
contracted for, and is in the process of con-
struetion, 10 be paid for by three millions of
for that purpose.
Three hundred leagues OF land have been
selected, surveyed and set apart for the unOr-
4 temporary capitol has been erected, and a
state sewer for the public buildings has been
contracted for, and will soon be constructed.
Permanent improvements have been made
i'll all OF the asylums.
Population and capital have flowed into the
country Tar beyond any previous period. Eli
terprlse, IN all OF the useful industries, have
been qulckened and enlarged.
Railroads have been pushed into the hereto
fore unsettled territory of tie state, until we
have now almost no frontier, as ii was for
merly known.
Two branches OF a Pacific railroad have
been completed, and now pass through the
state; one through the northern and the other
through the southern part of Texas; and "a
third one 1.-THE INTERNATIONAL will soon have its
connections. by other roads, through Mexico
10 the Pacific ocean.
Manufactures are starting up over the state
and commerce Is enlarging Its proportions to
keep pace with the enlarged and varied indus
tries of the country.
Other things have been done, which might
be enumerated, that have contributed TO
swell the tide Of our rapid advancement.
This result Is due TO the action OF the legis-
latureS, tile executive and judicial officers,
and employees OF the government generally, to
moral influences eXefted, to the intelligence
anu energy OF our citizens, to the excellent
qualities OF Texas, in lis fertile soils, its eli
male, It's vast extent, and its locality and not
a little TO the TACT that other states, north and
east OF us, having been settled and develOped,
the time had arrived when Texas did, in her
turn, become the inviting field for enterprise.
1t IS sufficient source OF pride and honor that
each one of us, as a Texan, i'll the full measure
OF his sphere OF action, whether high Or low, has
been an actor Ill this grand drama OF events,
and condition Of things, through which Texas
has been made TO leap INTO conspicuous career
of solid progress, unequalled III any former
period OF her eventful history.
The operations OF the government have
grown TO immense proportions, as exhibited
by the numerous reports and other documents
Report OF the comptroller.
Report of the treasurer.
Report Of the attorney general.
Report of the commissioner OF general land
office.
Report of the secretary of state.
Report OF the adjutanI general.
Report oil the commissioner of insurance,
statistics and history.
Report OF the iish commissioner.
Report OF the board OF education, including
report Of the sam Houston normal school.
Report OF the penltentlary board.
Report OF the capitol board on the tempo
Report of the capitol commissioners, includ-
ing acts OF capitol board.
Report of the printing board.
Report OF board for sale of judgments, eX-
planned Ill attorney generals report.
Report OF the board for stale sewer.
Report OF the board OF managers and super
intendent of lunatic asylum.
Report OF the trustees and superintendent
OF the blind asylum.
Report of the trustees and superintendent
OF the deaf and dumb asylum.
Report ON quarantine, by state health officer,
DIR. Swearengen.
Report of president and board of regents OF
report OF the president of the A. and NJ.
College.
Report OF the principal OF the normal school
Report of the board for the selection of
three hundred leagues Of land for unOrganized
counties.
Message accounting LOT the expenditure Oh
money.
Special message upon the claim of Texas to
Greer county.
History and status OF Mercer colony suit, by
the attorneys, Peeler y MaXey.
Memorial OF l. L. Moore, concerning suits
for the state, and in escheats, referred TO also
in report OF attorney general -,
These reports, and other documents, Will
present for your consideration mass OF gov
ernmental opinions which, in magnitude and
variety, has never before been presented 10
any legislature OF this state, or probably OF
i respectfully refer you to the facts and
recommendations contained i'll them. can
call attention now TO only a lew oil The subjects
therein contained.
In the report which will be made and sub
mitted 10 You at the close of my term OF Office,
accounting for the money appropriated for
rewards. attorneys fees and expenses Ot suits
in which the state is a party, you viii md 4
considerable amount of il contracted and paid
as attorneys fees and expenses. The largest
fees have been paid for the defense III what Is
known as
THE MERCER COLONY SUIT,
to which Mr.. A. j. Peeler, of the firm of
feeler * Maxey, is now giving his attention in
the supreme court OF tie United States, at
Washington City. This is a suit brought
against the commissioner of the general land
Office, in his official capacity, and affects the
interests OF the citizens i'll very large portion
of the northern part OF Texas. The exhaust
! i've exposition oil the matters pertaining TO
| this suit, prepared by MesSrS. Peeler & AlaNey,
having been printed, will be submitted to you.
This Is, substantially, suit against Hon. w.
| q. Walsh. He had TO give bond in order to
have it carried to the supreme court. Should
| it not be brought to termination before the
close of the session of the legislature, 1t may
| be proper TO make some provision tOr that,
and for whatever else may be found necessary
i'll the defense of this suit,
SUITS AGAINST DEFAULTING TAX CoLLEC-
TORS, IN CASES OF ESCHEATS.
In the memorial of Mr.. E. L. Moore, county
| attorney of Travis county, and in the report OF
| the attorney general, you VIII md both OF
| these subjects explained, showing an urgent
necessity for legislation, to cure tile defects
which have been found 10 exist i'll the laws re-
| lating to them.
QUARANTINE
By the laws of the state, the governor is
| placed at the head OF the state quarantine
which is designed to be established on the
| gulf and on The other borders Ot the state,
when necessary, III order TO keep the yellow
| fever and other infectious diseases out OF the
state. His duties on this subject, for about
six months during each year, have been very
| OnerOus and difficult. Tie laws relating to it,
| as now found i'll the revised statutes, Is COM
pilatiOn, repeating the provisions of four OF
| five laws that have been previously passed at
| different times. They evidently have not a
| proper and consistent connection throughout,
J so as 10 prevent ObScurlty, and uncertainty IN
| many respects.
Such a construction, however, has been
| placed upon them, taken altogether, as has ell
| abled system OF operations TO be built up III
| their execution. which might be much I'M
proved by thorough revision Of the law in one
| complete and consistent enactment. There
| has been a constant struggle between trade III
the operations OF commerce and the preserVa-
ton OF the lives of the people. In all questions
| OF doubt i'll this struggle, have acted III favor
| Of the latter object.
| Texas occupies a position to have a large
| participation in the valuable trade with the
| tropical ports. 1t is a great loss 10 have IL
close cur ports against { for i've or SIX months
| in the year. Impressed with the importance
of this, efforts have been made by me persist
emily for the last three years, TO have disin-
fecting houses established, as they have in
New York and Louisiana, 10 facilitate this
trade. as far as 1t can thereby be done con-
sistently with the proper protection OF life.
something mas Deen uOne on Ills SuDJecli
which, together with the operations OF the
last year, will be fully explained by tile report
of DIR. X. NJ. SMearingen, state health phySt-
clan, which was made at my request. 10 ms
intelligence, hrmneSs and influence eXerted in
that capacity, in aiding me i'll the discharge OF
my duties, | am much indebted. His report
will also exhibit our obligations TO the United
States for the very material AID gwen us, as
controlled and directed by Surgeon Murray, IN
harmony with the state authorities, i'll the
great work performed IN combining the yellow
fever at Brownsville. | take pleasure, also, In
acknowledging my obligations TO the natl0uil
board Of health during each year oil my adj
ministration, and especially TO Dr. Beemls, OF
this board at New Orleans, Tor valuable lntor-
nation and advice.
OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE,
STATISTIC AND HISTORY.
The present incumbent, in addition to other
duties, has prepared a book containing q
description of Texas, with great deal OF care
and labor, that is now ready Tor circulation.
Copies of il will be submitted for your inSpec-
ton. Its circulation, as previously provided
for by law, VIII, 1t IS believed, give the most
accurate and extensive information OF all parts
of Texas that has ever been embodied and
furnished to the public.
lie property of the two houses OF the leSlsla-
tIlre, has undertaken to have it placed in the
two halls prepared for the legislature in the
temporary capitol, and to have supplied what
legislature to commence its session: There
had been no appropriation made at the last
session to defray the expense OF this prepar;l-
ton for the two houses in advance OF their
meeting. All previous experience shows that
such an appropriation should be made at or
before the adjournment of every session OF the
legislature, and, further, that it should be
made the special duty Of some particular OH
Ger to have it done.
He has also given his attention, IN aid OF the
governor. to the subject OF