The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-07-26
Twelve Pages.
GOVERNOR ross ADMINISTRATION

GOVERNOR RIOS, ) ADMINISTRATION.
The state administration is elective, not
appolntive. The head of each state de-
partment, except only the secretary of
state, is elected by the people of the state
and is independent of the control the
governor. For this reas IN the governor
strictly should be held responsible ex-
clusively for the field of his legitimate du-
ties. His admlnistr alton should stand out
clean cut and separate from the action of
the heads of the different departments.
1t is true they all work together for a
common purpose and the actions
of each to greater or less
extent iuhuence the Others.
Whatever of good executive work one per
forms by that much is, what is termed the
administration, benefited and the con-
verse is true that mistake of one de-
tracts from the general tone of the ad-
ministration. But separating the different
departments as clearly as possible, and
viewing the distinctive administration of
Governor Ross, it will be seen and
acknowledged he has filed his high office
with signal ability and with genuine and
complete satisfaction to the state. Elected
by an overwhelming majority, he
has fully justified the confidence
reposed in him by that expression
of the peoples trust. He has
been found equal to every emergency, and
his record has been manly, clean, decisive
and answering from duty.
But things have occurred during the
past two years for which he is not re-
sponsibe yet which are by many weighed
against the administration as a whole.
OF these two are noticeable. This school
teachers were for long time unpaid, and
at this hour the state is behind and rapidly
becoming more so with her sheriffs, dis
trict attorneys and court clerks This
should wholly and exclusively be charged
against the legislature that refused to
make sufficient appropriations in these
cases.
Bat on the other hand, Governor
Ross administration has been aided in
many ways that have added to its popu-
larity and usefulness.
At the first session of the Twentieth
legislature the land law of the state was
changed, and as put into practice is prov
ing of great practical benefit. The state
no longer is weighted down with land
board, and its baneful decisions no longer
complcate the sale and lease of lands.
But under this administration the lands
of the state are finding ready sale and
lease, and rich revenues theresrom are
flowing in.
Nearly million dollars have been re-
claimed from the national govern
ment on account of old indebted
nesses. In the comptroller's office old
and overdue taxes have been
collected up as never before. The new
broom there swept clean and swiftly.
With this double influx of wealth the
treasury was plethorio with money; an
extra session OF the legislature was called
by the governor, and, though large appro-
priations were made for necessary inn
provements, enough funds were left on
hand in the estimation of the legislature
to warrant material lessening of the tax
rate for this and even subsequent years.
New railroads have been built, and
there is another exit for Texas out to the
business centers of the great west
Two other great movements destined in
the near future TO be productive of ex =
cellent results have been inaugurated and
have swept like wave of light from end
to end of the state. The immigration
boom and the demand for a deep water
port date their permanent and active
inception from Governor Ross admins
tration. This year, also, the sell of
Texas is laden with such harvests as never,
perhaps, existed in the history of the
state. The people are rejoicing in the
prospect OF prosperity ana even
plenty. This is but cursory
view of the two years, and
now on the eve of another state conven-
ton, with the people pleased with the
work of the past, and rejoicing in the
promise of the present and prospects of
the future, Governor Ross, without dis
dorsed for another term of office. He has
we'll earned this testimonial of the peoples
favor and confidence, and, in his second
term, will give them renewed cause to be
proud of their soldierstatesman governor.
The car will return Emperor Williams