The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-08-02
THE LITTLE CAVALRYMAN.
He Speaks Out Plainly IN a Pri-
vate Letter.
Honest Reasons Upon Which He
is Willing to be Judged by
the People.

The following private letter, written to
friend in Navarro county by Governor
Ross, was Published in the Corsicara OBJ
server, and it speaks truthfully and hor-
; estly;
AUSTIN, July u, 1888.
Ny Dear Sir end Friend-Your esteemed
favor received and you have my hearty
thanks for your kindly interest and
friendly expressions. l confess am at
loss to understand upon what ground any
farmer in Texas can urge opposition to
my administration. We have reduced
their taxes to the lowest possible amount
consistent with an economical admins
tration of the state government, and to
much lower amount than at any time be-
fore. We have so reformed our land laws
as to rapidly settle the state, and, while
not retarding settlement, have restored
confidence in and respect for the lease
system as to bring into the treasury and
to the relief of the taxpayers over $780,
600 annually. The whole penitentiary
system has been reformed and is now in
better shape financially and other
wise than ever before, as the re-
ports will show. Our tax laws have been
so amended as to force all property and
many persons hitherto escaping taxation,
in large measure, to help the honest
tax payer bear the burdens of govern
ment, and thereby Tighten the burden
upon the general masses, whose property,
being plainly in sight, had for long years
been vigorously assessed and compelled
to pay an undue portion. We have made
provision of sinking fund to pay out
standing bonds due next year, which will
reduce the state debt over 100000. We
h i've collected from the United States
government nearly 100000 long due
the state, and which claim my honorable
predecessors had done much to estab-
lsh. We have paid nearly one
half million dollars due our school
teachers. Helped our unfortunate d outh
sufferers to the extent of 100000 when
they were in a starving condition last
year. We have built a reformatory and
colored asylum, each costing $4,000,
added largely to the University and other
established asylums, and withal reduced
the peoples taxes from % cents ad
valorem to 10 cents on the 500 worth of
property, and have left in the treasury
two millions of money to meet all
demands, and we can justly claim
the smallest public debt lightest
tax rate and the highest standing
in the money markets of the
world of any state on earth. We have
rigidly exerted all the power possessed to
enforce the laws without fear or favor,
whether against the railroads, bogus in
surance companies or the lawless 1ndi-
vidual, knowing no distinction and making
no difference, but treating all alike. 1
bou oi1a1 faorIaca ott
with all the means necessary and all the
moral and physical support demanded to
bring all violators of law before the bar
of justice, and have urged upon the legis-
lature such amendments to existing laws
as, in my Judgment, were necessary
to give strength and efficiency to
their operation. We have do
nestle tranq uili5y, reasonable pros perity,
and a brighter future. What more can
any one do? Why should the farmers es-
pecially be arrayed against me? l have
not dollar in the world that l did not
and attention. The only public posi-
tions ever held simply furnished tenn
porary support, and in two cases sue
ceeded in bringing me in debt. have no
pecuniary interest not in common with
IloIl, anu Dy uelIuer NOV0 VI dOO LII d-ly
public capacity have l ever failed to rep
resent their interest, claiming for them a
full measure of justice when some of
those who are now loud-mouthed in
preaching their cause were giving away
to corporations, over my protest and best
efforts, their public lands, and robbing
their children of the patrimony be
queathed them by our old Texas vet
Grams. invite these old farmers to look
into the public records of these pre-
tended friends a little before giving them
their support, and 1 specially urge an
honest comparison, believing that the
farmer above all Others, by reason of his
own expressions, will always see fair play.
From my youth up I have given Texas
my best energies, and have not failed to
shed my blood in standing up in defense
of her people and in defending her cause
without fee or the expectation of reward
against all assailants whomsoever. When
some of my adversaries were making
money was serving her instead of my
self. These are some of the reasons
upon which am willing to be judged by
ny fellow citizens, and am content to
abide their decision.
Believe me, my dear sir, fully grateful
for your friendship and thankful for your
kindly remembrance. Very respectfully,