San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-01-22
GOV. Ireland,s Message.

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permit our giving tho Governors
Message in full. Below We give the
headings OF the Fort Worth Gazette
which are a summary in themselves
and also on editorial review by the
same paper:
The States growth and prosperity
unprecedented, Notwithstanding the
poor crops.
The watered lands should be dedi
Gated TO the public use-a revision in
the lease law necessary.
The States rapid progress in wealth
and population urgently demand
new census.
The fnrncial depression reviewed
the special treasury funds should
be used in emergency.
The condition Of our railways,
schools, penitentiaries and asylums-
other topics.
As state paper, Gov Ireland's
message is an admirable document
in many points. The recommends
tions made in it are not likely to suit
everybody, and probably it was not
made mp with that purpose in view (;
but even on those points where we
dissent from his conclusions it can
not be denied that his statements are
fair, and his handling of the subjects
t.ooxnl - ,an,;hla onl l,haro1 IN fnpo
In it's entireness the message is
'.meaty" and will have weight upon
the course of Legislation this winter.
The first topic of leading import
ance touched upon is the public
school lands and their disposition.
Discussing the leasing of these lands
the governor seems to find difficulty
in avoiding a tangle. He does not
believe those lands capable of support
ing an agricultural population should
be leased for long term of years,
nor should any lands be SO leased as
to allow their Enclosure in large tracts
without ample passage-ways around
or through them. At least one-half
the agricultural lands in each county
should, he thinks, be reserved from
lease and left open to actual settlers.
This is similar to Mr.. Gibbs plan,
which he proposed last summer. If
it is necessary to except lands from
the operation of the lease law for the
benefit of settlers, that is an unquali-
fed admission that the leasing of
lands keeps out settlement. To hold
the contrary, as the lease advocates
do, that leasing does not deter settle
ment, is to put the governor in the
ridiculous attitude of advising a
remedy for an evil that does not
exist. The Democratic platform upon
which the canvass was made and the
present governor and legislature cleo
ted pledged the party to such legisla-
ton respecting the school lands as
will not retard the settlement of the
West. If the governors plan is re-
garded, it will be necessary to divide
the West up into leasing and non
leasing districts, which, if attempted,
will be found utterly impracticable.
The recommendation of provision
for the taking of state census upon
which to base reapportionment of
the Legislative districts will meet
cordial approval in North and West
Texas. The Gazette has printed
columns in favor of state census
and redistribution of representative
power, and has repeatedly exposed
the unfairness toward the growing
West of the existing Legislative dis
tricts. The governors champion
ship of the proposition will renew
of the matter throughout
The state, and will doubtless lead to
the enactment of law looking to a
state census.
The recommendation of q revision
Of the assessment laws to prevent the
escape of property from being taxed;
If having all legal fees and costs paid
in the counties where they are incur
red; reducing the ranger forces; in
creaslng the penalty against ''pistol-
;oters = these are the most import
mt topics to which legislative atten-
ion is called for rectifcation of the
existing laws. A strong appeal is
made for economy and the cutting
IF of all expenses that can be dis
oensed with without crippling the
public service. This suggestion first
If all should command the attention
# the lawmakers, and if there is any
,lace for ''retrenchment and reform
t shout Id be looked after.
The Victoria Advocate, whose
,ditor is one of the directors of the
New York, Texas and Mexican rail
Dad, has this to say:
San Antonio's proposed railroad to
Aransas Pass lacks vast deal of be-
ng a certainty. In the meantime
he chances are that the Eads meas
ire will be endorsed by congress and
Ieep water at Galveston thereby be-
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