The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-06-23
rHE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

1t is the chief Leauty of our American
that they are flexible and ex'
pansive, that the key for their correction
is contained within them, and that they
can be made to grow with the growing ne
cessities and demands Of the state. How
ever perfect a written constitution may be,
changes in this rapid age will become nee
essary. There is, however, very natural
and wise indisposition on the part Of the
people to hastily or indltf rently agree TO
proposed notifications from time to time
suggested, yet another occasion has arisen
when the citizens Of this state are to be
asked to vote upon propositions changing
Ia two or three important particulars our
own organic law. In Thursday mornings
issue of the HERALD appeared an address
from the legislative committee
appointed especially to draft such address
explaining in clear and concise language the
character Of changes proposed and the rea.
sons therefor. The address upon so i'm
portant matter is well worthy the atten'
tive perusal Of the public of the state. The
amendments proposed refer to two or three
questions of the utmost significance, They
are in effect briefly as follows
First, TO so change the constitution that
the proceeds Of the sales Of public school
lands may be invested in other safe securi'
ties than Texas and United States bonds.
The premiums upon these bonds are now
so high that it is unwise and too costly to
invest such proceeds in them, and yet the
present constitution confinds to them the
field OF such Investments. This change, an
exceedingly important one will prevent the
accumulation of an on-interest bearing sur
plus and is carefully guarded from abuse or
the dangers of loss by investment in worth
less securities by the provision rendering
the state rosponsib UGH investments
as are made. Second, the ad valorem state
tax it is proposed to reduce from 80 to 80
cents on the 500, proposition about which
there is not likely to be any controversy,
nor against which is there likely to be any
opposition. 1t is gratifying to know that
the state is in such prosperous condl-
ton that this reduction is possible and
proper. The proposition to obvlate the
confusion that has heretofore in many cases
existed, also provides that no county, city
or town shall levy tax for roads and
bridges exceeding Is cents on the 500, or
any tax exceeding rs cents on the 800 for
the erection OF public buildings, street
sewers and other permanent improve
nki Third, the constitution is to
be so amended that, in addition
to the present free school fund, direct ad
valorem tax not to exceed 20 cents on the
500 may be levied for the support Of pub
| lie free schools ut least six months in the
year. And Just here it must be remem-
bered that this is special tax in addition
to the available school fund of one-fourth OF
the general revenue and the poll tax OF 81
1t may not be necessary, so rapidly is the
general revenue increasing, to levy but an
extremely small special tax out OF this pei
Missile maximum OF 20 cents to insure
six months schools. The tax may not and
possibly will not exceed sum that added
to the general state tax Of 80 cents, will
still insure general reduction OF taxation
The steady development of Texas in wealth
and population may be depended upon for
continuous reduction of taxation.
1t is possible that this amendment may
meet with opposition, and yet 1t is the one
Of all others that ought to be engratted
upon the constitution of Texas. 1t is cred
i ,ble to the last legislature that there was
III unanimity in the passage of the joint
resolution proposing this amendment. The
glory and hope Of state is In the educa-
ton Of its masses, and nowhere is this pos.
sible but by q public free school system.
The existence and perfection of school
system gives solidity and morals and pros.
perity to the citizens at home, and attracts
| as no other feature In q commonwealth
will, immigration from abroad. The public
free school system is at once the criterion
of the intelligence, development and
general prosperity of state and the
foundation Of the liberties and greatness OF
its people, The committee speaking on
this subject say: Your legislature found
1t impossible to reduce the state ad
valorem tax to the minimum necessary foI
the support Of government without at the
same time mourning the modification OF
having TO starve the schools. Remembering
the fact that the people Of Texas, of ali
parties. with remarkable unanimily during
the last political canvass in the state de-
manded of their candidates for legislative
honors that they should submit to them Ii
proposition to so amend the constitution As
to enable the legislature in the future to
separate the school tax from that levied foI
the support of government, to the end thai
the state tax might be reduced to the proper
figures without detriment to the schools,
and to the elimination for the future to II
very great extent IF the school question
from the field Of politics, in response to
which demand the legislature submitted
the foregoing amendment" For the honor
OF Texas, as a declaration to the outside
world that intelligence and progress reign
throughout our borders; the people
this state should give this amendment
an overwhelming majority. Such action
would 20 further towards answering tn,
base ISLANDERS against the state and Undue
ing capital and enterprise and population
from abroad than any other one step that
could be taken by our citizens.
Fourth, II 10 proposed to reduce the
number Of terms Of the county court to not
less than tour terms in any one year for
civil and criminal business instead Of the
greater number as the constitution now
requires. 1t was thought and the supposi
ton is evidently correct and safe one that
such amendment will materially reduc.
the expense Of the courts without prejudice
to the efficiency Of the judicial system
Thaoa hn nv A., A..