The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1884-02-07
TEXAS LEGISLATURE.
THE SPECIAL SESSION ADJOURNED YES
TERDAY WITHOUT DAY.
Address OF Speaker Gibson, and a synopsis o
What Has Been Accomplished During
the Thirty Days.

Speaker Gibson then rose and adj
dressed the House as follows:
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives;
The hour has arrived for the final adj
iournment of the Eighteenth Legisla-
ture. Thirty days ago you assembled
here for the purpose of considering the
subjects mentioned in the proclamation
of his Excellency, the Governor of
Texas. Some Of them involved questions
new TO the people, and to arrive at
satisfactory solution of which has been
the aim of the members of the two
Houses. II was freely asserted, there
fore, on our meeting that the difficulties
before us were almost insurmountable,
and the prophesy was rs freely INDUCED
that our labors in this direction, would
prove of no avail, Notwithstanding the
fact that you went about your duties in
AN earnest manner. The expiration of
the time allowed by laws finds you ready
to return to your homes, after having
considered all questions submitted by
the Governor in his message. 1t Is true
that the impression has gone abroad that
you were doing nothing save wasting
time In useless talking, and II Is equally
true that the country has not been aware
of the vast amount oflabor performed by
you in the committee rooms in preparing
the work which in the last few days has
taken definite shape and which in my
humble judgm promises the very best
results. The passage of bills constituted
but II small part of wise and safe legsla-
ton. 1t is in the preparation and pre-
sentation of measures that the effective
work is done. While we all freely adj
NIT that time is often consumed in use
less discussion still members of this body
know, as the country cannot at all times
know, that the thorough presentation of
subject in all its bearings often pre-
vents the passage of very unwise laws.
Let me indulge a synopsis of what has
been accomplished during the thirty
days:
|. Youhave given effect to the consti-
tutional amendment lately adopted by
the people by separating the ad valorum
and school tax, without increasing the
amount already levied.
2. You have passed school bill CON
tanning many provisions which have
been demanded by the people for years
past, and which, 1T Is generally conceded,
is great improvement on the present
inefficient system.
3. You have provided for the DISPOSE
ton of lands heretofore sold for taxes
and bought in by the State.
4. You have rearranged many judi
cial districts in order to facilitate
the transaction of business in the courts.
o. You have fully met the demand of
the people for better system of public
roads and the bridging of streams.
You have also provided adequate pen
alties for the unlawful Enclosure of pub
lie lands.
You have, to the extent of your
power, removed all causes of complaint,
real and pretended, which brought about
the deplOrable state of affairs existing in
Texas ut the time you assembled.
You have provided also penalties for
the wanton destruction of property, and
have strengthened the arm of the exec
utive in order that he may be able to en-
force law and order, and last, but not
least, responding to the demand of the
| people, you have provided that our
| grand and glorious commonwealth shall
take her place side by side with her sis
ter at the approaching Worlds EXPOSE
tion at New Orleans.
These are few of the most important
measures which have engaged your at
tention, which can be supplemented
with great many wholesome changes
which you have made in existing laws.
In short, gentlemen, it gives your pre-
siding officer pleasure to testify that you
have earnestly and periodically labored
for what you have conceived to be the
best interests of the people Of our be-
| loved State.
And now, gentlemen, the hour of part
ing has arrived. Permit me to say that
each and every member of this body
carries with him to his home my best
wishes. | shall never forget the kind
ness and consideration with which you
have treated me, and the pleasant hours
we have spent together, furnish an oc-
casion to which memory, "the star
gemmed goddess" will often advert,
with feelings of the greatest pleasure.
We have passed through many trying
lessons, and at times | may have rem
dered decisions and made appointments
which many of you believe to be wrong.
Still, now, when passion has subsidized
and your cooler and calmer judgment re-
views what has taken place, l believe
each and every one will accord to me al
honest desire to do what believed at al
times to be for the best. With misgiv.
ings as to my ability to satisfactorily dis
charge the important duties which YOU
Partially imposed upon me, the measur,
of success which has attended my eiforti
and the assurance of satisfaction ex.
pressed In so many ways, is certain,
very gratifying to me.
May heavens blessings rest upon yol
and the pathway of each through lifi
lead only through pleasant places, an,
when the silvery age comes on and TIN
places we now occupy are filed by tn
, younger men of the country, may we b.
able often to meet and greet each othe
as citizens of the greatest State In tn
American Union, forever one and undi
vided.