Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-05-18

exists In the minds OF the voters OF Texs
thst all occupations and profe ssions cal
meet in public and secret cru
Gus, discuss men and measures
agree among Themselves, msp out
campaign, cali conventions, pass resolu
lions, and il farmers aud lsbo-ing mel
shonld claim the asme privilege they CT,
read out of the party, aud the cry Of the
dlk lantern Is besri sll over the state
snd page after psge f. written and puo.
lished Ia their dennnciat!on.
Peace and harmony csn never be re.
stored the RANKS Of epY party as long
as This state of feeling exists. Ever
suspicion cast upon them, every denun.
citation made against them, only adds
freth Goals and fuel to the flames
that unfortunately exist. My opinion
il that, IL real cspitsl ard real lsbol
could meet fsce to face and reason to.
gether this strife, confusion, dissen .ior
aud trouble would soon end. BIT slas!
They are sepsrsted by deep and fearful
chnsm, and every approach to its banks
Is guarded by the most selfish spirit O,
av.rice and selfish personal ambition
that ever cursed any country in the his
tory Of the world.
Some irqairing mind may ask wha,
EFFORT ever made to check, restrain OF
prevent this character Of unjust legis-
lstion so Fiuch complained OF BY the
people. The first opportunity offered me
was in the constitutional convention OF
1875, that framed our present constitu-
ton, and can say that my efforts in
t9ht convention to prevent unjust class
legislation were not frultless, as the ur.
mails Of that COL vention and the prese n:
constitution Ct the state will prove. On
page BIZ OF the officials journals Of the
convention you will find tina, introduce q
the resolution now embraced in article 16,
section 20 Of our constitution, which
reads ss follows:
That sli drawbacks and rebatement OF
insurance, freight, transportation, car
rage, Wharfage, storage, COMPRISING,
bsliDg, repairing, or for any other kind OF
labor, or service Of, or to any cotton,
grain or any other produce, or article of
commerce in this state, paid or allowed,
or contracted for to any scomnon carrier,
shipper, merchant, factor, sgent, or
middle man of any kind, not the true and
absolute owner thereof, arc forever pro-
hibited, and it shall be the duty OF the
Legislature to pass effective laws punish
ing all persons, in this state who psy,
receive or contract, for, or respecting the
same.
The Galveston News, in commenting
upon this provision insour constitution,
said:
There are SO many objections to the
system Of rebates as practiced In sill COM
mercial centers that 1t is matter of sur.
prise that no determined effort be- our
law makers to limit or suppress It was
ever attempted until the constitutional
OF 1875 assembled. Taa en-.
actment in section 20, article Is, would
appear to cover the entire ground.
The fears Of the reopIe Of our state
that the railroad interests would get con-
troll Of every department OF our state
government. induced me to introduce 9
resolution which you Will find on psge 81
Of the journals, which is now embraced
In article 16, section Al of the constltu-
ton, which reads as follows:
ANY person WHO shall directly or i.dl-
rectly offer, give or promise any money
Or thing Of value, testimonial, privilege
Or psrson,l advantage TO any executive
Or Judicial fficer, or member OF the Legis-
eture, TO influence him in the perform
.nce of any OF his public OF official duties,
shall be gu lty of bribery, and be pun
shed In such manner SIS shall be provided
oy lazy. And any member of the LegisIi-
.ure or executive or Judicial officer who
shall solicit, demsnd or receive, or con
sent to receive, directly or indirectly, for
himself or for another, for any company,
corporation OR person, sny monty, appoint
ment. employment or OF personal advsn-
Eage, or promise thereof, for his vote,
Dr. fficial Influence, or for withholding
he same, or with any understanding, ex.
pressed or implied, that his vote or Of
acial seton shall be anyway Influenced
thereby, or who shall solicit, demand end
receive any such money or other edvan-
see, matter or thing, aforesaid, for an
,ther as the consideration Of his vote or
f1cial iI q lencs In consideration OF the
payment or promise OF such money, sd
7antsge, matter or thing to another, shall
De held guilty Of bribery within the mean
ng Of the constitution and shall incur
he disabilities provided for said fence,
With forfeiture Of the Office they may
lold, and such other additional punish
nent as is or shall be provided by law.
On plge 606 of the journals of the con-
7eniion you will find introduced tie fol-
owing amendment for the purpose OF
protecting the commerce Of our state
rom urjust discrimination by tie rail-
Dads. Che amendment reads:
And every railroad in this state shall
nafr nd fna
onnage, and cars slosded or empty, with
mt delay, or discrimination OF every other
abroad connected with it, directly, or
through other railroad or railroads, for
easonable compensation, to DE sscer-
aimed by agreement Of said railroad com:
,aniee, or in manner provided by law.
One of the weal:hiest railroad corpora
ions in our state. having been exempted
rom the payment Of any tax for twenty
I've years, you will find that introduced
md passed an amer dmens which is now
Embraced in article 8,section 2,oi our con-
which will forever prevent the
from eXempting such proper
y from taxation.
have said more than expected wher
began this answer to your letter.
bought 1t necessary to give my record
nd views upon the great issues now ex-
iting the public mind, and 1 am confident
nv action and effort In the constitutional
will have An infuence to pre-
'ent uojust discrimination against the
,sople Of this stste long after my name
hall have been forgotten.
This letter is written from roy home,
where have resided for thirty five years,