Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-12-25
TEXAS OPINION.
Some Discussion of:Current Topics, State and
National, by the Texas Press-What Will
the Legislature Do?-The Land Law.

Ballinger Leader: The prosperity and
settlement of West Texas depends, to a
large degree, on the policy of our next
legislature. The present prices ut which
the public lands of the state are held are
unreasonable, and not i'll accord
ance with the actual value of
the lands. While it is true the
terms are quite favorable, the lands
being priced too high, men of sound bust
ues Judgement will not buy, simply be-
cause good terms are offered on land that
is held above its actual value for any
purpose There are to-day in Texas
thousands of men-renterS, railroad
employees, clerks and others, who live
i'll the hope of some day owning home
for their families. If the law was amended
putting the price lower and allowing
these persons to purchase, without
the right of transferring, the actual set
tier would have chance, the school fund
Of the state would be greatly increased
and the lands would increase i'll taxable
value by being occupied and improved.
Every county in West Texas should make
an effort to have the present land laws
changed by the next legislature so that
the country may settle up and improve.
Willis Index: If the Twenty first legis-
lature adjourns without passing such
amendments to the school laws of Texas
as will enable the teachers to get their
money upon presentation of their vouch-
ers, it will not be for want of having had
their attention abundantly called to the
glaring defect i'll present statutes which
renders such Il payment impossible.
Austin Dispatch: The legislature, which
will meet January s, 1889, will be called
on to wrestle with several difficult ques-
tons, which will try the wisdom and en-
durance of that body.
The regulation of the common free
public school system will alone require
great attention to details; the amount
and manner of taxation; the length of
time and number of months required for
the instruction of the children; the pow
ers and duties of the superintendent of
education; the qualification of teachers,
their payment, the selection of school
books the scholastic census, the build
ing of school houses and academies-all
these heads, and others, will have to be
considered and decided before the COM
mittee will be able to make Il report
worthy of the very great importance of
;
The members will also be asked to do
something with the present libel law, so
that journalists will not be afraid to pub
lish the current news for the information
of their readers: and how this may be
done without being subject to suits for
damages, and at the same time throw
proper safeguards around the reputation
of the citizens of the state, and of non
residents.
The land system will be Overhauled to
some extent, and such changes made as
may be deemed essential.
The railway companies will come be-
fore them for consideration, and advO-
Gates of commission to regulate charges,
etc. will not be wanting.
The penitentiary system will be eX-
amined and made more perfect, particu-
larry the matter of employing the con-
victs outside the walls.
Tyler Democrat and Reporter: The
mobS in Texas that take the execution of
the law into their own hands, and expect
any sympathy from Governor Ross, will
find that they have made a mistake.
The governor is decidedly and emphati-
cally opposed to Judge Lynch and all his
ways.
Greenville Banner: The Republicans
missed great opportunity by not having
Il state ticket in the field i'll Texas in No
vember. When General Harrison goes
into office there will be numerous fat ap-
to hand out to the faithful,
while the Texas Republicans will have to
that they failed to fight for
the faith.
Brennan Banner: California publishes
its own uniform system of tevt books for
its public schools. 1t would not be a bad
idea for Texas to follow California s ex-
ample.
Bolton News: If women are not to be
permitted to vote, and the News thinks !
they should not be, the legislature ought |
to pass law TO prohibit a man from |
keeping house. A woman knows as well |
how to vote as a man knows how to wash |
dishes and make up beds.
THE KEY NOTE.
Austin Statesman: Congressman Grain |
struck the key note to the situation when |
he said; the present system of dribbling |
lut appropriations for Texas harbors was |
practically throwing away the money. |
The millions of dollars that have been |
spent upon our coast during the last If
ZOO, lilo