Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-04-17
The Message Well Received in Both
Houses The Administration is
Highly Iudorsedb by Members.
A Scheme for Securing Large ippro'
prisiion 70 Finish the New Capitol
DsTei0pgd-An Investigation.
The University Regents Hold Meeting ts
Consider ihe Best Mode OF Attack
on the Eat Treasury.
OPENING OF TIE SESSION.

AUSTIN, TEX, April 16'-When the
Speakers gsvel fell in the House at II to-
day, calling the h7st special session OF
the Twentieth Legislature to order, very
nearly al the members were in their
seats, and those VINO were not present
have about oil arrived tonight. There
were three vacant chairs, however, which
will not be filed by the members. T. A
Fuller and j. ". J;rnett have both
resigned and B Rush P,uDley has passed
from life. Mr.. Plumley's desk and chair,
in the front row 10 the Speakers left, had
been appropriately draped SID 3 basket OF
white roses, jessimines ard noEeysuckles
has been placed there by loving hands,
hlling the sir with the sweet fragrance OF
purity.
THE MESSAGE.
Tee governors message, conveyed to
the House by Private Secretary Holmes
and read by Reading Clerk Day, was lis
tened to with marked attention by the
members. It is regarded here as an sble
document, pointing out the needs OF the
state IN the plain, direct way for which
Governor Ross has become noted. The
Governors administration is very highly
Endorsed by most OF the members, and he
seems to be personally popular with all OF
them, but whether they will follow his
advice in the matter Of legislation is c
question that time aloDe can solve.
IN THE SENATE.
Lieutenant Governor Wheeler raped
the Upper House to order at the ap-
pointed hour, and the chaplain offered up
q iervent prayer for strength and wisdom
to be furnished the Senators, thst they
might be able to know end do their duty
The message WAS also well received here,
and regarded by the Senators IS very
sstatesmanlke paper.
The memte's appear to be in fiue
health, for the most part, and the sp endid
outlook for dig crops and the prosperous
condition of the state generally, has put
them in high spirits.
ONE SCHEME.
O1e scheme for securing a large ap-
preparation to furnish the new capitol
has been developed. It is said, even Oy
friends il liberal appropriation, that
$50 coo will be simple to furnish the
building in handsome style, but on the
outside they talk nothing less than $780,,
600. "You see." said one Of them to
THE GAZETTE, 1--WE will ask fer $780,,
900, and fight hard for il.
Then when the economists scale it
down to $3.50 900 they will think they
have saved a pile of money 20 the state,
snd will turn in and vote for the appro-
pristlon with u.s." Those felloWssunder-
stand human nature as we'll as our friend
behind the coun ter, who marks 81 so
hst at 81 with the intention of allowing
his customer to "jew' him down to the
Original pr e. 1t is G scheme that has
worked since trade began and will work
until it ends. II it fails in this instance
1t will be surprising.
AN ERRoR IN THE MESSAGE.
The Governor in his message made 8
peculiar mistake, which renders ineffec-
tive much of his argument in opposition
to the reduction of taxation. He states
that the taxes levied by counties and mu-
inequalities are controlled by the amount
OF state taxation, and that to reduce
I the state levy might seriously
embarrSss many of the counties and cit
les. TIE old constitution provided that
state taxation for general purposes should
not exceed 80 cents on 500 valuation,
and tnat no county, city or town should
lay levy for general purposes to ex-
coed one-naf the state tax.
The new constitution. however,
changed that and provides that
the state levy shall not exceed S5 cents,
tssad that no county or municipal levy
shall exceed % cents. In the hurried
reading Of the message very few persons
noticed this bluuder, out where they have
it in print and read it over carefully they
discover It, and 1t vii, almost cause q
sensation.
READY TO ATTACK THE TREASURY.
The U. iVersitY SCENTS met to-day to
consider the best mode Of attack On the
Treasury in the interest OF the iustitu-
ton. They want an appropriation made
to pay back to the University the money
borrowed, and bill to that effect will be
introd uced early in the session. The
indebtedness is estimated ell the wsy
from $50, 600 TO $500 coo, but the re
gents really expect to get about $780,
900. The bill will be introduced by Mr.
Gresham and Will provide Tor the build
k@g and equipment of the medicsl branch
OF the University at Gslveston. The fact
that the G Jyernor's concerning proclams-
ton contains nothing in reference to the
university WAS construed BY its enemies
! " 1i4C1h h4ab AS NPPOSSA my SPPAOPAA-
ation for that institution. Its friends
have maintained that he would recon
mend the appropriation in special pro-
clsmation which would have more effect
than II combined il the general
one. 1t WAS learr ed to-day, however,
fshat he had no such intentions. 1t was
also learned thst he is in favor Of the sp
preparation, or at least that he feels very
friendly TO it, for in discussing the bill to
be introduced he advised Mr.. Gresham
to have it referred to the finance commit
tee, which favor the University, instead
of to the education committee, which is
inimical.
WANTS AN INVESTIGATION.
The resolution introduced by Senator
Bell raising joint committee to investi-
gate the new capitol opens the doors 10 6
great deal OF trouble. II that committee
is appointed every discharged employe,
every disspp ointed contractor and. every
general sorehesd will want to appear and