The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-07-03
COUNTY JUDGES
MET YESTERDAY I'm THEIR
FIRST ANNUAL SESSION
IN GALVESTON.
PRESIDENT BOWERS IN THE CHAIR
The Present County Road Law and the
Best METHODS of Amending it SO us
to Secure Good County Roads y.
Throughout the State.

GALVESTON, Tex. June 25.-The county
Judges association of Texas, met in its first
annual consultation at 10 a. m. today in the
criminal district court room. The conven-
ton was called to oider by PresidentE :.
G. Bowers, county judge of Dallas county.
Judge j. H. Rice, of Navarro county was
elected secretary. President Bowers brief.
ly and pertinently stated the object and
purpose of the meeting which was the con-
sideration OF the present county road law
and the best methods of amending it so to
secure good county roads throughout the
| State. He however stated that the first
thing in order was the appointment
| of committees, one on constitution and
another on the method of procedure
selection of these committees was left TO
President Bowers, who appointed Judges
Chas. Riley of Colorado county, s. r. Blake
of Austin county and r. J. Hatcher, OF
Freestone county committee to draft
constitution for the association. Commit
/ JcC Ol OldCl VI DuoihCoc, JuuBCo w, L
Austin of Galveston county, ]. G. Abney OF
| Hill county, J. T. Evans of Coleman
county, and w. H. Hayes of Bee county.
| These committees were instructed to report
| by noon if possible. The association then
| took recess until noon.
Upon reassembling the above committees
| were asked if they were ready to report.
| Receiving an affirmative answer the COM
mittee on constitution were requested to
present their report. They submitted the
| following:
The association shall be known as the
County Judges Association of the State of
| Texas. The object of the ASSOCIATION shall
| be to bring together annually the county
judges to discuss the duties that pertain to
| their office, and to make such suggestions
with regard to changes in the law with
| reference to the roads, county finances,
etc., as in their judgment may seem proper.
All county judges in the State shall be
entitled to membership in this association
and the association may elect such honor
airy members as it may determine.
The officers of the association shall be a
president, secretary and treasurer to hold
| their office for term of one year or until
their successors are elected and qualified.
The officers shall be elected by ballot at the
first meeting of the association in each year
and shall at once enter upon the duties of
| Unelr OlIlCo. Inc uulleS VI SUCH Objects
shall be such as are usually per.
formed by like officers of deliberative
bodies. The association shall determine at
each annual meeting the time and place
for holding the next meeting. Any of these
provisions may be changed at any regular
meeting by vote of two thirds Of the
members present and voting. The report
was adopted.
The committee on rules of procedure
reported as folihgs:
| l. We recommend that the present
officers of the association continue in office
| throughout the present session.
2. The reading OF memorials and petit
tons.
3. The discussion of the road question,
and the consideration of resolutions offered
on that subject.
4. The appointment of committee to
report such Recommendation and suggestion
on the subject of roads as may be advisable
10 be adopted by the association.
5. The discussion and consideration of
such other questions as may pertain to the
business of the association.
6. The election of officers for the ensuing
year.
7. The selection of time and place for
the next meeting of the association.
8. General resolutions.
8. Adjournment.
The report was unanimously adopted.
The association then entered upon the
discussion of the country road question
which was participated in generally, each
county judge describing the effect of the |
prese ut law in their respective counties and |
the condition of their roads The consen- |
sus of opinion was that the present law on |
the subject of county roads was delusion |
and snare and should be either abolished |
or amended so as to be made more effective |
some favored direct taxation for this pur-
WhiIQ nj hnrc OnnOep1 IL hnt the H.. |
ment was almost unanimous that |
short term convicts instead of |
being sent to the penitentary for one, two
or three years should be retained in coun-
ties where convicted and work out their
sentence on the county roads in such
counties.
President Bowers gave very encourage
ing account of the effect of this system in
Dallas county. where prisoners convicted
of nlisdemeanors were so employed with
highly satisfactory results.
At the conclusion of Judge Bowers re-
marks Judge VIM. T. Austin on behalf of
Messrs. Clark & Courts rendered members
OF the association an excursion on the bay
on the revenue cutter Dix. which ne stated
would leave central wharf at 6p. m. He also
on behalf of the Azelia club, rendered the
free use of the club rooms to the associa
ton and stated it was the desire
of the members of the club that the
judges should visit their rooms and par
take of refreshments. Both invitations
were cordially accepted and vote of
thanks rendered.
A vote was then made and adopted that
a committee of seven on resolutions ex
pressive of the views of the association on
the county road law be appointed. Presi.
dent Bowers appointed as such committee
Judge l.. Kirk chairman, Jcdge s. X. Blade,
Judge J. e. Abney, Judge J. H. Wood,
Judge J. r. Rice and Judge w. T. Austin.
The committee were instructed to report
at o clock tomorrow morning, to which
hour the association adjourned. Atop. m.
the association boarded the revenue cutter
Dix and were given a delightful sail Oh the
bay and shown the jetty works. The meet
ing of the association is but SHINY at !