Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-04-15
TEXAS.
A Son of the Lone star Sts te Crit
ictzeS the Letter Of ssB,,,

sonality upon the attention of tn
public, | presume to request the coul
tesy of your columns for the pnrpos
of commenting upon an article Of
Texas, which appeared under fiamin
headlines in your issue of yesterday
written from Galveston by one VIII
.conceals his identity under the non
de plume of "B." / hope it is no
discourteous to suggest that, possibly
il the identity of the writer wer'
known it might obviate the necessit.
of an attempt to refute the fals'
and slanderous statements which
he makes in respect of Texas
/ have read the article in question
calmly and carefully, and l assure
you confidently that it was written
under the inspiration Of ignorance o.
malignity. In either event he dare
not hope to escape the pillory of con-
tempt and condemnation. He who
presumes to give information should
first inform himself; and | adhere to
the opinion that policy should enter
tain the self-same regard for truth as
for honesty. Candor compels me to
confess that, if l would follow the
trend OF my inclination, l would de-
nounce the libelous attack upon Tex
as and her people in language infin-
itely more energetic and expressive
than elegant or chivalrous. However,
I will stifie the feeling of resentment
which it has provoked.
In his solicitude for the welfare and
prosperity of the emigrant from the
frigid climes of the East and North,
he institutes a comparison between
Texas and California, and generously
gives him the benefit Of his judgment
upon the merits of the two States.
He concludes with indecent haste
that Texas is entitled to no considera-
ton, and kindly recites some of the
facts (?) upon which he bases his
conclusion. While cheerfully con-
cede that excellence which he claims
for California, dissent from his pessi-
mistic views in regard to Texas. He
is firmly Of the opinion that
THE PRESENCE OF THE NEGRO
In Texas makes progress impossible ;
hence the effort to "boom" it must be
futile of necessity. If it be true, as
he concludes, that the presence OF the
negro is a blight upon fair Southland,
l can assure him that Texas has pros
pered in spite of the incubus which
he believes rests so heavily upon her
recuperative energy. l suggest these
facts for his information. The census
of 1870 gave Texas population of
$4,000. The census of 1880 gave her
a population OF 800, ,000-an increase
of 100 per cent during the decade. 1t
is predicted that the census of 1890
will give Texas population OF :, ,0O0,-
900 approximately. No State in the
Union has such a priucely school
fund, which is estimated in lands,
bonds and cash. at one hun
dred millions of dollars. Her rate Of
taxation is less than any of the west
ern States, except Colorado. In
California the rate of taxation, State,
county and city is $2.10 on the 500.
This is given as the average rate in
the State. In the city of Los Angeles
it is in excess of this amount. In
Texas the rate is $1.40. In the treas
ury of Texas to-day are $2, 75O, 900 in
cash. Governor Ross has recently
convoked the Legislature in special
session, one of the objects of which is
to reduce taxation. Texas may con-
fidently challenge comparison with
anv State of the Union in everything
that contributes to the glory and ad-
vancement of country Her lands
are very much cheaper than those OF
California, and in many sections they
are as fertile. l verify believe that
THE SUPERIORITY OF CALIFORNIA
Over Texas is manifest only in her
climate, If this sentiment be treason
to my adopted State, plead guilty
and invoke the mercy OF justice. This
excellence of climate is an advantage
that assures to Southern California a
conspicuous position in the forefront
of American civilization. l may as
we'll confess that am a native Texan
and that the superiority which | con-
.cede to California induced me to re-
nounce forever my allegiance to Texas.
I rejoice that l am a citizen of Los
Angeles, and yield to no one a more
sincere appreciation of the merits and
possibilities of our embryotic city.
While l shall always exult in the pres
tige and prosperity of the State of my
nativity, I indulge the hope that my
love and enthusiasm for it may in nc
wise disqualify me for citizenship in
my adopted State.
THE COLOR LINE IN THE SCHOOLS.
This worthy disciple of Munchausen
gravely informs credulous public
that, "that the Northern man or Cali
fornian, visiting one Of the representa-.
tive cities here (Texas), is astounded
at what he beholds." Indeed, why
astounded? His clinical sensibility
is rudely shocked (nairabile dictuD at
beholding "the dudish darky of the
present." and the naughty, patrician
Texan enjoying the beatitudes of so.
ciaI equality under the same vine and
fig-tree /! In the exuberauce OF bis
mendacity, he assures US that the
sight OF Mrs. Scipio Airicanus Jostllne
and elbowing graceful, elegant and
stylishly dressed ladies and gentle
men of the upper classes" at the
counter of the shop-keeper, is "char
acteristic picture of the social con
dition' OF Texas! He states al
fact that, "the pert youns
wenches and boys" (colored) are tt
be seen vending their happy way tt
and from school in social converse
about their studies and games witt
the white boys and girls, attendant
of the same school," (The italic
are mine.) And these are the scenes
that regale the eyes and offend thu
prejudice Of the Northern man, @
californian. who chances to visit th'
city of Galveston! Admitting for I
moment the truth of these statement
may not ask seriously, "Why shoul'
A. Norfhorn man he aStOnished ?O