San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1888-04-19
The Governors Message.

lhnutb UNIV uON NouiibHt hhe oe"s''
His message is well worded, concise
ly stated and statesmanlike in tone.
IL is rather discursiyo and suggest
i've than mandatory. He treats all
the subjects no touches in n broad
liberal. minded way, characteristic OF
him, and properly adapted to the
topics touched upon. Ho discusses
tho school question rather in the
vein OF what il should DO than in tho
expectation that tho legislature will,
or even has tho power constitutional
ly, 10 place that system on the plane
he thinks it must ultimately occupy.
Chaos in land matters has been re-
duced TO something like order under
the excellent Mcdonald land law en-
acted at tho last session Of the legis-
lature, and the school middle is now
tho most vexed and Informed ques-
ton in the state government The
governor looks forward to the time
when, under general laws, the schools
will have some, though limited, re-
lief from the state, but each county,
district or city will be held mainly
responsible for the maintenance of
proper public schools. But this
time is not for the present, and, till
then, his advice to thoroughly criti-
else and review the school laws with
q view to their amendment and re-
duction to some specific and definite
settlement, that the school funds can
be properly followed up and traced
to their legitimate and prompt ex-
pendture, Is advice that should be
acted upon if there is time at this
limited session of tho legislature. At
all events, tho teachers can and should
be given relief; their salaries should
be paid them. AS to the tax ques-
ton and the reduction OF the surplus,
the governor takes conservative, and,
we think, sound ground. He oppos-
es any reduction of the rate of taxa
ton at this time, favoring, in it's
stead, tho crediting of each taxpayer
with such proportion of his yearly
taxes as the legislature may think
the state can dispense with without
impairment of the running capacity
of the state government. The idea
of creditng the taxpayers, as now
proposed, is new and both practical
and expedient. There may arise
such contingencies within the year
when the whole of the amount now
collectable Mt the present rate of tax
alton will be required, or may even
not be sufficient If, then, taxes
were reduced, there might be neces-
itated an increase to the present, or
even higher rate of taxation, and
such thing is to be deplored, as it
should always be the aim of govern
ments to cut down, rather than to in
crease, taxation. 1t is estimated
that property values will be largely
increased this year. If SO, the legis-
lature, at its regular session next
year, can, upon that basis, make
new rate with greater safety than can
be done at this time. We think the
governor has struck the key note to
the tax question in his recommends
ton to the Legislature. AS whole
the message is an able state paper,
and will be of invaluable assistance
to the legislature in it's determine
ton OF the questions upon which it
has been re-convened to make laws.
We copy the above condens
ed report from the Austin States
man of the main topics of the mes
sage. We add the conclusion, re-
ferring, we believe, to the only addi-
tional topics:
I invite your earnest attention to
the complaint of the farmers of our
state of the illiberal and restrictive
corporation laws claimed to exist in
subdivision "a of article 566 Revised
Statutes, as amended by act of Mar.
%, 1887, under which full develop
ment of this important industry can
not in their Judgment be had. IfI
there be any right in this country
which the government should respect
it should be the right of labor.
The prospect of our farming inter
ests benefits every other business
pursuit, and they should be accorded
every liberty of action necessary to
give strength to the hand of toll, and
any measure which enlightend states
manship can devise to elevate their
condition and enhance their prosper
ity should receive the most thought
full and favorable consideration.
In view of the speedy conclusion
of our state capitol building 1 have
directed the commissioners to trans
NIT to your honorable bodies thor
ough and complete exposition in de.
tail of the contract, specifica tons,
plans, notifications and changes in
oaiginal contract, together with every
thing else relating to progress and
condition of this public building, and
l most earnestly urge you as the rep
of tho people to take
such steps as may seem to you wise
and proper to make thorough in
spection of the work of the work in
all its bearings, to the end that the
interests of our state may be fully
protected and secured in the premi-
ses, and the people assured that there
hns been an honest and faithful COM
pliance with the contract.
Prohibition State Convention.