The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-05-29

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lection and encouragement. Such en-
coaragement as good laws honestly
and impartially administered can give.
Let us say that citizen of Texas is
sovereign still, and that the govern
ment OF Texas is his creature, simply
his agent, his servant. That he
has rights which his government dare
not tamper with. That he treads
this earth a prince, the equal before
God and before the law of potentate
enthroned. Let us tell this govern
ment to remember its proper func-
tons and that the citizen looks not
to it for his rights and privileges and
that it has no powers but such as arr
his voluntary gift. That we want
protection because it is our right,
and protection we shall have. rsainst
any creature, natural or cG porate,
who would injure or Cypress rs. Hav-
ing this we demand that we be let
alone. That the laws of Texas are
the peoples laws. That the good
people love these laws. That it is not
necessary to destroy the prosperity
of any interest or section of the State
or to cruelty any of her good citizens
to persuade them or the world that
law is supreme in Texas. That
officers are servants and not bosses
OF the people. That corporations
must obey the law just like the citi-
zen or be punished like the citizen.
That the lawful rights OF corporations
will be Respected. The short time
allowed me totprepare for this meet
ing with my fellow citizens compels
me to be briefer than / wish it confines
me to fewer topics than would like
to have discussed. select for this
occasion the most important, in con-
sideration of the universal interest
it has excited throughout the State
1t is perfectly evident that the peo-
pie OF Texas are not satisfied with the
laws now in force providing for the
regulation of railroads. 1t is also
plain that something is de
> manded to secure to the people more
, prompt and efficient remedies. A
, railroad corporation violating the law
), of the State should be punished Ger
: tainly with as much promptness as {
y citizen. Some of our present law
y briefly on the subject stated are al
$ follows: Sec. 2, Art. 10, of the constr
y tuition, declares that railroads here
d tofore constructed, or that may here
after be constructed in this State, are
II hereby declared public highways, anC
l. railroad companies common carriers
# The legislature shall pass laws to cor
s rect abuses and prevent unjust dis
s elimination and extortion in tn,
n rates of freight and passenger tariffs OF
t the different railroads in this State
}. and shall from time to time pass law
: establishing reasonable maximum
# rates OF charges for the Transportation
e of passengers and freight on said rail
d roads" Sec. 4, Art. II, of the consti
y tuition directs that "the first legisla
h ture assembled alter the adoption O
= this constitution shall provide mod
d Of procedure by the attorney genera
and district or county attorneys, il
e the name and behalf of the State, t.
u prevent and punish the demandin
y and receiving or collection of any an
d all charges, as freight, wharfage, fare;
II or tolls, for the use of property devote
to the public unless the same shal
II have been specially authorized b,
II law"
d Sec. 6, Art. IL contains this inhib
f. ton: "No corporation shall issu
e stock or bonds except for money paiC
e labor done or property actually re
Vt ceived, and all fictitious increase Q
t, stock or Indebtedness shall be void.
e Sec. %, Art. 4, requires that tn
r attorney general shall especially Ell
l. quire into the charter rights of al
70 private corporations, and from tim
g to time in the name of the State, tax
J. such action in the courts as may b
Is proper and necessary to prevent an
/ private corporation from exercisin
If any power or demanding or collectin
ir any species of taxes, tolls, freight, Q
e wharfage not authorized by law. H
&c shall, whenever sufficient cause exist.
l. seek judicial forfeiture of sucl
Il charters, unless otherwise expressl
,, directed,by law" Inpursuance of tn
~ ICOubIlluIlOHul llluuIuISo tuC lOSli
y lature passed the acts OF July 8 an
5, October s, 1879, declaring: ain cas-
5, any person shall usurp, intru1e into
n or unlawfully hold or execute, or i
now intruded into or now unlawful
e holds or executes any office or fran
e chise, or any Office or any corporation
% created by the authority of this State
It or any public officer shall have don
e or suffered any act which by the pro
1. visions Of law works forfeiture of hi
< Office or any association of nun
is bers of persons shall act within thi
rs State rs corporation without bein
legally incorporated, or any incorpol
j. alton does or omits any act whic
lie amounts to surrender or forfeitur
e Gifts rights and privileges as col
it poration, or exercises power not con
Is ferred by law; or if any railroad con
lie pany doing business in this State shal
,e charge an extortionate rate for tn
g transportation ofany freight and pa
r sengers, or refuse to draw or carry tn
RI cars of any other railroad compan