The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1884-01-21

The LIGHT has been outspoken in its adj
vocacy of progress and improvement in munc-
ipal affairs, and in its opposition to moss
backism and the stand still policy, nor do we
at all regret the position We have occupied on
this most important question, upon which the
growth and prosperity of San Antonio largely
depend. We are still warmly in favor of com
plete surface drainage, which, in spite of the
opinion expressed by one or two physicians,
we esteem to be absolutely necessary in view
OF the manner in which the streets have been
arranged, and the dampnsss and sickness,
which are generated by standing water ex-
posed to the heat OF the sun. The streets
are in a shameful condition, scarcely one Of
them is adequately drained, and they should
be Investigated by the Council Surface
drainage is necessity and must be attended
to with promptness. Sewerage is also
necessity to the health of the city, and we
believe the people concur with US in that
view Of the matter But to have the PROPOSE
ton of expanding $4,000 for sewerage
carry, it should be more han literally ex-
planned, and the minu,est details regarding
the work made public. The proposition is a
good one, and will carry II managed fairly
and properly. The improvements are needed,
the people have reached that conclusion, and
all that is necessary to make the proposition
a success is an earnest endeavor to serve the
city's interests, upon the part of the Council.
If THE Legislature is level headed, it will
quit CAB and palaver and get to work upon
solution of the fence trouble. The people
want.a prudent, wise comprehensive and i'm.
partial law, which will mete out equal justice
to all and show favor to none, and they ex-
pect such law of the Legislature now in
session. Class legislation is vicious in the
extreme. Let US have & brief and simple
law, easily understood and enforced. The
Legislature should remember that il is the
certainty.of not the severity, Of punishment
which represses crime, and be slow to
authorize the killing of men caught cutting
fences. Cutting fence is no worse than
burglary, theft. ETC., yet there is no law
authorizing men to kill burglars and thieves.
Extreme and violent measures are always
unwise. The fence cutters would kill by way
OF retaliation, and the State would pretty
soon be the theatre Of innumerable assassina-
tons and feuds. Coercion is never wise at
the outset, and the government must not dele
gate this right Of coercion to private parties,
but exercise it itself, and be sure TO proportion
it TO the exigency. II man chooses to en-
close lands owned or leased by him, the State
should protect his fences, but provide for roads
and pass ways through his lands at convenient
distances, SO that the public should no. be
subjected to inconvenience by his enclosing
his lands. Such law would wrong no man,
nor would any good citizen complain of it.
Texas will never grow unless land owners can
utilize their lands and keep trespassers of Of
them by fencing them. This should be the
foundation Of any law that may be passed.
Free grass" is Communism and nothing
else and must be put down by the law with a
firm hand.