The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-09-23

Eighth-The democratic party
looks with apprehension upon
the fact that foreign railway cor
porations have acquired control
of the railways of Texas, in vio-
lation of the provisions of the
constitution, and protest against
the methods by which they are
being operated. We pledge our
selves to pass laws to correct
ABUSES and prevent unjust dis
examinations; to compel all rail
ways doing business in this state
to maintain an Office in the state,
in compliance with section B, ar
ticle 10, of the constitution; ami
we pledge ourselves to secure by
law the right of the state to in
spect all books belonging, or per-
tanning to organization, operation
and business of the railways of
Texas. We protest against the
consolidation of parallel and com,
peting lines in the state, and
pledge ourselves that laws shall
be ! assed and enforced to correct
this evil. We pledge ourselves to
pass general laws, FORGETTING to
the state all lands heretofore
granted to railway corporations,
where such corporations have
failed to comply with the terms
of their charter, or have failed in
GOOD faith to ALLEVIATE their lands
within the period fixed by law.
Fifth-We believe that the true
policy of the state, with respect
to her public lands, is to provide
for their sale in tracts of reason
able size, with reference to their
quality and uses, at fair prices
and upon long credit, to bona tide
settlers for homestead purposes.
We favor such a sification of
school, university and asylum
lands as may permit the uncondi-
tional leasing for short terms of
lands only fit for grazing; and
that the remainder may he leased
temporarily and rendered subject
to the right of the state to actual
and bona iide settlers; and to
these ends we favor the enact
ment of laws to compel the re-
moval of trespassers and free
grassers from the pubic lands,
and to force payment of rent for
their use, and to fix absolutely
the rental price of lands to I've
leased. There should be such leg
islation rs will make it practica-
bic to enforce all laws intended
TO prevent the illegal use of
school or other public lands of
the state.
Fourth-We favor the best sys-
tenn of education for white and
colored children, in separate com
mon schools, which may be pro-
vided by liberal, without eX ess-
i've, taxation. We believe that
the education Of our children is a
matter of state right and DUTY,
and that the congress of the
United States has no right TO ap.
propriate money to its aid. We
congratulate the people of Texas
upon the successful establish
ment Of orr state university, ant
we recommend the enactment OF
legislation to remove the same as
far as possible from all politica
influences, and that its propertie!
and revenue shall he strictly
guarded, increased and fostered,
so far as il can he done without
taxation upon the people.
Eleventh-We declare that al
state conviCts should be confined
within the walls of the pcniten
tiary, and ii is the duty of the leg
islature to provide penitentiariei
! sufficient for this purpose. W,
are also in favor of reform
school, or house of correction
for minors and females Conyicte,
of offenses, to the end that the,
may te separated from the adul
conyicts of the state.
Tenth-We believe that the eX
listing law of our state for tn,
protection of mechanics and la
borars BY lein, Should be cOmpre
hensiye and efficient to the enI
l that the real laborer may be thor
oughly protected.