Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-01-11
THE GoTERNoR, s MESSAGE.

fleets credit upon she ada4irlfstra-
ton which has shaped the executive
course of the government for the
past two years. It is not so flattering
perhaps, as might be desired b those
who would have all the benefits OF gov
ernment without bearing any of its ex-
penses; but those who will take the
trouble to make comparisons viii find that
the cost of government has been reduced
in Texas to nearly the minimum point,
while the full measure of protection to the
citizen is rigidly preserved.
The intimation of probable deficiency
in the general revenue fund at the end of
the current fiscal year will not surprise
those who, with the governor, opposed
the adoption of the 10 cent revenue rate
at the special session OF 1887. The amount
of the deficiency will depend upon the
size of the appropriations made by the
| present legislature. The governor
calls attention to the fact that
the estimates made by the heads
of the various departments and public
institutions exceed previous appFopria-
tions by 1871 ,504 and suggests that, in
| the interest of strict economy, some of
| these demands may be overlooked.
The fact that the cost of the Judiciary
department has exceeded its appropria-
tons for the last two years by 1887 900 is
made the basis for recommendations of
| needed changes in the Judiciary system.
The most important of these are: TO re-
quire closer investigation by grand jurfes
before the finding of an indictment; to
limit the causes for which continu-
ances may be obtained thus reducing the
eases in which double fees to sheriffs and
witnesses are allowed, and to permit but |
one prosecution of what is really but one |
otfense. Another recommendation bear |
ing upon the same subject, suggests the /
reduction Of large percentage of felo- !
MES to the grade of misdemeanors, and |
that juries be given greater discretion ia +
the matter of sentences, instead of being |
confined to arbitrary terms fixed by stat
ute. As q financial reason for this change, |
the governor instances the heavy increase
in the prison population of the state which
has grown from 1859 in 1856 to 1902 in
1888, aud will probably reach 1000 in
1890. With present accommodations I
less than 1000 can be confined within the
walls and not that number can be profit
ably employed there
Upon the subject of the land law the
governor adopts, by reference, the report
of the land commissioners. He in
Inmates pretty clearly the belief
that the system of forfeitures for
non-payment of the annual in
terest on August l is unconstitutional
and suggests that the legislature should
consider the advisability of adopting
some other method of enforcing the de-
mands Of the state.
Other questions of peculiar interest
treated of in the message are the subjects
of railroads and the libel law With re-
spect TO the one the governor advises a
conservative course that shall bring the
roads within strict control Of the state
under a policy equitable to them and
to the people. The recommended
ton that the Michigan libel law
should be adopted is the most pronounced
and progressive proposal that has ever
been made upon the subject by Texas
official. It's provisions give ample pro-
lection to sincere and innocent publiea-
wanton libeler. AS stated by Governor
Ross, this statute provides that 90 in ae-
tions for libel the plaintiff shall recover
only actual damages il it is made to ap-
pear that the publication was in good
faith and does not involve criminal
charge and was corrected by the defend
ant as soon as apprIsed Of its 7
falsity. No recovery in any case to s
exceed $4,000 and actual damages. - The {
justice of the recommendation that the {
plaintiff should be confined to one action !,
is apparent >. and, on the other hand, it t
will be conceded by the press that the 6
venue of the suit should not be restricted q
to the county in which the paper is :
published. -
The statement quoted from the comp d
rollers report with reference TO the
public debt is most interest," .
ng one. It shows that, exclusive b
If state holdings, the bonded debt t
t is but 81 ,22O $50 Bonds are held by $
,arious state funds to the extent of 3d. :
~ 100. e
The message is one from which the cit
zen can CLEAN satisfaction both with re-
pect to its exhibits and its recommends
ions. 1t savors of conservatism, eeono- :
ny and justice, and, keeping these three
hings in view, the Twenty-first 1egisla- q
ure may do much for the benefit of the =
tate and TO its own credit.
TOO GOOD Il MAN. - =
The name of Hon. Logan Fl. Roots of Arkan- o.
as, who has the reputation of being an honest, ia