The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-10-04


Attention is called to the fact that under
the terms of the new law these land:
were required to be carefully classified
and appraised, to do which consumed
many months of time, so that until three
months ago, for purposes of sales, the
lands we're not on the market throughout
the state. Now there are 2S,000,0O0 of
acres of public school lands reserved to
the actual settlsr which may be had at
50 per acre on forty years. time, at per
cent interest.
SCHOOLS.
The democratic party has fostered and
developed public education in the state.
1t has established normal schools for the
training of teachers, both white and
colored; it has founded the State uni
versity, and it has built up the Agricul-
tural and Mechanical college. 1t has been
its policy to endow the public schools so
largely that the burden of taxation for
the supporG thereof should be lighter than
in any other state, and such is now
the case. As result of this policy bonds
are now held by the permanent school
fund amounting to $6,334,957, and land
notes aggregating $40 $4,000, the annual
interest on which, together with money
derived from land leases, amounted last
year to the sum of $1,010, 1853, with a
probable increase for the present year;
and there remain 2S,0OO,OOO acres of school
lands unsold. 1t has further donated to
each county 17,712 acres of land, the pro-
ceeds of which are to be applied exclu-
Csively to the support of the common
schools. The democratic party expends
through the state government annually
about $2,300,000 for the support of the
public schools, larger amount than any
other state in the union, with the excep-
ton of that of New York, whose popula-
ton is two aud a half times, and whose
taxable values are five and one fifth tins
that of Texas, the latter expanding
$2,3O0,000 for school purposes and the
former $2,75O,C00.
During the republican administration
the taxes levied for the support of the
schools for one year was sixteeR times the
annual tax levied by the state under dem
ocratic rule, and more school houses are
now built each year than were built under
the entire period of republican supremacy,
while the schools are incomparably better.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
During the present administration the
State Lunatic asylum at Austin, the North
Texas Insane asylum at Terrell, and the
Deaf and Dumb and Blind asylums at
Austin, have all been materially and sub
stantially increased in facilities for taking
care of inmates. Two important charit-
able institutions have been added viz.
the Orphan asylum at Corsicana, and the
Deaf and Dumb and Blind asylum at Aus
tin for colored youth.
RAILROADS.
The democratic party at its recent con
vention pledged its faith for the enact
ment of such laws as shall restrict the
freight charges of railway and express
fair interest on the money actually in
vested in them, and at the same time
prevent discrimination in charges.
Too great Importance cannot be at
tached to this emphatic utterance, an
nouncing line of policy which will cul'
inmate in the solution of a difficult and
much vexed problem.
1t is deemed pertinent to call public at
tention to few of the many wholesome
laws already enacted in the line of the
above policy.
Under democratic administration, laws
have been passed reducing passenger
fares on railroads from five 10
3 cents per mile, securing the free trans
portation of 100 pounds of baggage to
everv passenger, compelling such COM
panies to post schedules of freight rates,
and to give reasonable notice of changes
in such rates; prohibiting higher rates
than those specified in bills of lading;
providing that such rates shall be reason
able and uniform, and forbiddipg unjust
discrimination and consolidation OF
parallel and competing lines. They are
required TO furnish shippers cars on ap-
plication, and to forward freight in the
order received and to- transport ii
promptly without delay. In the interest
of stock raising and agriculture, they
have been compelled to furnish double
decked cars for the shipment of hogs
sheep, goats and calves; they are forbid
den to remove their principal office out OF
the state. 1t has been made the special
duty of the attorney-general to it see that
they comply with the conditions imposed
by their charters, and adequate penalties
have been prescribed and effective RENE
dies afforded for any violation of these
and other laws.
In addition to these acts of legislation,
the attorney-general, the chief law officer
of the state, has, during the present
administration, made in the interest OF
the PEOPLE, effectual use of all the constl-
tutional power vested in him to subordi-
nate railway corporations to the law.
LABOR,
Mechanics and laborers who do and
perform work in the construction and re-
pair of any building possess lien on the
same and the premises on which 1t ls
situated to secure the amount due them
The act of March 10, 1887, Twentieth leg
islature, gives all lsborers, mechanics and
operatives, who may perform labor OF
work with tools, teams or otherwise In the
construction, operation or repair OF any
railroad, its locomotive, cars or other
equipments, prior lien to all Others upon
such railroad and equipments to secure
the amount due each respectively.
By act of March IA, 1887, Twentieth
legislature, railroad companies are re-
quired to give all employees thirty days
notice before reducing their wages.
By the terms of an act of March ~
1887, Twentieth legislature, if railroad
company fails to pay an employe what Is
due to him within fifteen days after de-
mand on the nearest station agent, ther
such company becomes liable to such en-
ploye fer 20 per cent damages on th'