Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-04-13

speech made in the senate, discussed il
fully and as well as 1 am capable of do
ing. That speech I expect to have re-
published for general circulation. ]
stand by every word I then uttered. ]
opposed the commission then, aud 1 OPP
pose il now. [ believe there Is no good
in It. lam for the regulation of railroads
but l want that regulation TO be by
law. Ibelieve in q government of law
INC not of boards clothed with arbitrary
power. think the people of Texas are
able TO take care of themselves in deal
ing with the railroads. l don't think
they need a guardian in the shape of a
commission. If you can n time 10
read the vast code of railway legislation
now in force l think you will conclude
that for every wrong which the, citizen
suffers from them there is an ample
remedy; and 1 do not need TO tell you
that your courts and juries will be prompt
TO enforce il. l think that quite too
OFTEN the commission idea is conceived In
prejudice and born in hostility to rail-
roads, and for that reason il Is objec-
tiOnable. am a friend to the railroads,
but if L know myself L am q greater
friend to the people. l think the
commission idea is both p%aternal and
6entralizing in its character and tenden-
cy: and if it is, it Is not after the manner
of Jefferson. From a Jeffersonian tand-
point, if a constant supervision of rail-
roads by an organized body were needed
il would be far better to have the legis-
latuT5 sit all the time to look after them,
appalling as such a suggestion would
otherwise be. But the people are going
TO vote on the commission amendment at
the next election. l shall vote against
il, and if L am not greatly mistaken
quite a gOodly number viii keep me COM
pany. If the people want the commission
they will adopt the amendment: if not,
they Will defeat II. If they adopt il that
settles the question so far as l am con-
cerned; 4 shall then be for the commits
sion too; because l recognize the popular
verdict as fnal and unappealable.
Hardly a state in the Union has
as small a railway system in
proportion to size as Texas. She
needs ten miles to where she a one.
She is the coming empire state, n the
fact is known of all men. The surplus
money of the world is ready to seek you
out and only abides your welcome. The
defeat Of the amendment by an over
whelmIng majority would be the signal
~ 90 - VI Ill "a AAANAA - az A.
fiux of capital and an Industrial activity
that would be without parallel in this
country.
ON the subject of public roads l shall
only say q word. L am opposed to a gen.
eral road bond law. The adoption of the
o tax amendment will confer upon such
counties as choose TO do so, the power TO
increase their road tax; and / presume
the legislature will give such counties the
power to issue bonds. l do not object TO
this because it is in accordance with the
Jeffersonian doctrine of local self-goY-
eminent.
In the Netherlands is a vast tract Of
country that lies below the level of, the
sea. A brave and hardy race of people
have rescued il from the dominion of the
North sea-. Around its boundaries. with
the labor Of centuries and the expendit-
ure of billions they have erecXed bikes
which are the wonder of the World. The
reclaimed land, once a wild and dreary
morass, now smiles and blossoms like the
rose. and is the home Of an industrious
and happy people. Bat in the midst of
life they are IN 7"nstant danger of death
from inunf ~ Day and night
throughor year the dikes are pa
trolleT fbful watohmen. whose
dut- yatch the tides and when
they approach the danger line to sound
the alarm. The first note Of warn
lpgg brings out the entire population
and with stout hearts and willing hands
they repair and strengthen their country's
sea wall until the danger IS o~verpassed.
Around our republic Mr.. Jefferson
erected a wall TO guard against the over
flow Of Capitalization, of ~nationalism, of
monarchy. Dav by day his faithful fol-
lowers have walked the dikes and
watched with straining eyes TO give
notice Of the threatening tide. May the
day never come when communism or
other dangers from within shall nerve
the heart of another William to open the
dikes and let in the tide of kiugly
power.
[ have now endeavored TO discuss
some evils and evil tendencies
with more or less reference
TO current issues, from what L believe to
be a Jeffersonian standpoint. If we ap-
proach the solution of public questions
from that standpoint and in hat spirit,
we surely will not err. For all that we
have and all that we are as a government
we owe TO the patriotic heart and the
matchiess brain of Jefferson. If doubts
encompass US, if our faith grows weak,
il We uTllI iToh OuE mOofIuEss leI US
90 back and search the Scriptures
of Jefferson. We shall rise from their
study with doubts removed, with faith
strengthened, and with a sure anchorage
in every political storm. May his teach
ings continue TO guide MS, and those who
come after us. May they be dissent
mated n take root, not only throughout
the confines of this republic, but where
ever in the wide world liberty shall be
loved and free government cherished,
until their growth shall rival hat of the
teachings of the great reformeT:
1.-THE Avon to the Severn runs,
The Severn TO the sea,
And Wickliffe's dust shall spread abroad,
Wide as the waters be-
Hon. II. D. Mcdonald opened the guberna-
torial campaign on Saturday by a speech at