Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-03-09
SENATOR GIBBS.
MS Remarks. Opposing the rcniten,lnry
Leases.


opinion as expressed on saturday
that we hayen not arrived at the proper
place in the proceedings to discuss ih,
merits of this lease. but the senate la,
evidently concluded that on the pend
ing amendment the discussion shoulc
begin, and this may be best, as IN,
amendment proposing To reduce tn,
length of time really removes but on,
OF the many objections that are enter
tanned. Before discussing the merits
Of the questions | shall reply briefly
to the argument OF the senator from
Harrison, Mr.. Pope.
must confess that | am dis.
appointed In his remarks, for | expcc-
ted from him at least a discussion OF
the question on ito merits, aud am sur
prised 10 find him resorting 10 the
same arguments used by certain
class of newspapers with which this
senate has been flooded | had, be-
cause of his ability. and from the fact
that he /, leader of the friends OF the
lease system, anticipated q strong ar
gumcnt in favor OF II.
Tire first and chief reason assigned
by him why this senate should ratiiy
this lease is because Gov. Roberts and
Treasurer Lubbock made and adyo-
cate is. Now. IL this In itself "A sutii-
cient reason why this senate should
confirm it, No gentleman upon this
floor has greater admiration for
these distinguished men than myself,
or has supported them more heartily
in and out of conventions, hut my
reverence doesn't go to 10 that extent
that am willing for them To be the
keepers OF my representative Judgment
or conscience.
say TO you now, that while these
gentlemen occupy, and Justly too, n
proud position in tile admiration aud
affections OF their people, that their IN
falllbiiity Is not conceded by their
most ardent friends, and much less by
the people mt large.
If this argument Is sufficient to sat
isfy the gentleman's constituency, 50
be it, but mine are too critical for me
to render to them any such ilinsy cX-
cuso for u vote on 50 important u ques-
ton. am not here ms II member of
the legislative departments to do the
bidding of either dead or living adj
ministration, but TO use my best iudg-
ment, and right or wrong, be ready to
give reason for my action.
There has been too much uniustiiia-
BILE presumption In this matter, If
either the penitentiary board or the
lcsaecs presumed absolutely that this
Legislature would approve this lease,
whether IL appealed to their best judg-
ment or not.
The lease provides that it shall be
subject to approval or rejection by
this legislature, and such provision
was needless IL the argument of the
distinguished senator IL sound and
conclusive on thcquestion
believe the board has made gricv-
GUS mistake In the extension OF this
lease, and while their motives were
good / am inclined to doubt their
Judgment, and In doing so, don't con-
slider myself guilty Of treason to my
party or my state; II difference Of
opinion based upon honest convictions
such IA ours are, Is healthy to The body
polite, and il the greatest safeguard ia
republican institutions.
The senator complains that each one
Directing to the lease assigns differ
cnt reason for the faith That Is in him;
this only proves that the lease IL sus-
ccptiblo To that many objections, and
cannot he an argument In It's favor;
there are more reasons why il should
be rejected than have yet been given
why IL should bc ratified. The gentle
man warns us that IL this issue is re-
jected we Will burden the state and
bring down upon ourselves the curses
OF our constituency. There IL wherein
4 diiler from him, and, on the contra
rs, ace the same dire results flowing
from the ratification. And | believe
that the people will not only hold the
administration responsible which made
the contract, but hold TO equal rcspon-
sihility the administration which had
control of IL, and then ratified It,
No one can dodge the question, for
the people are watching, and they will
not be satisfied with any of their SER
wants who avoid the issue.
| have no reflection TO make upon
the superintendent or the lessees.
they are NIL satisfactory to me, and |
believe them to be gentlemen worthy
of confidence and respect, but | have
never believed in personal politics, and
with u principle involved am no res
spector of persons, but will 20 far
enough to say that coincide with the
good opinion OF them as expressed by
the senator from Harrison.
Now | shall proceed to the discus
sion inst as IL their lease had never re-
ceived the endorsement of great and
good men, and | shall contend that il
Is wrong in principle and that its
terms are unfavorable to the state.
In the first place | would oppose It's
ratification even " a financial success
for the state, for the manner ofits let.
ting was u palpal,le violation of plain
statute and exceedingly unfair.
The law required that the lease
should be- made after due advertise
ment, and this statute has not been
with The board advertised
a little over one-hnlf OF the convicts,
and these 90 be worked as The most
unproductive branch ofconvlct labor,
apd in their advertisement they mover
the nine hundred convicts
Oh the Brazos farms, who were netting
the state some titiy thousand dollars
Now, sirs, when they executed this
lease, they turned over 10 the lcssees
this profitable labor, which ON n fair
amounts To a bonus of sew
en- hundred ana fiily thousand doh
lars In the fifteen years.
Now, il this Just 90 the state, and Is
i fair The lessees are honorable
gentlemen, but not entitled To somueh
consideration at the hands OF the
state.
No officer or Department of state
government ean violate q law and hope