The advocate., 1891-01-21

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The subiOot Of tho proposed change Ia not
froo from difficulty, and 10 loft with you for
suCh aotion 40 the best interests OF lhO state
seem 10 require.
The Governor devOtes considerable
space 10 "Ralroads and Railroad L,egigla'
tion,D and 70 "suggested Legislation"
On @sppOrtiOnment," the following is
presented:
The constitution requires an apportion-
mont OF th8 state for tho purpose OF repre-
s0ntatiOn In tho Legislature once In Eve
years, based upon tho census OF tho preCed-
ing year. The last appOrtlOnm0nt having
been made No the special session OF 1896, 10
becomes your duty 10 r0apportion the state
at tho present session.
Mighty-olght counties only are now repre-
sentod. Eighteen counties, organized since
tho last appOrtiOnmont In 1885, have ever
since chat time been excluded from voice
In tho laW-makinR branch OF the state gov
ornm6nt Membership In the lower house
is limited by tho constitution 10 one hun
dFed and twenty-five, the present number.
The admission OF the eighteen counties TO
representation, which OF course must be
granted, will give as one hundred and six
organized counties, each entitled 10 nc least
one Representative, provided u cast $50 To-
gal votes at tho neKt preceding election.
This will leave but nineteen members TO DO
distributed on the basis OF population. Re-
lief from thia very serious difficulty can
come only through an amendment 20 the
Legislative article Of the constitution. The
appOrhOnment article should also be
amended 20 that tho time for reapportion-
mont will always fall during regular $685.
sion Of the Legislature.
Had the Governor have said eighty
seven counties only are now represented,
the statement would have been correct.
Some space ls given 10 prohibition"
and the report Of the revision committee
ls very highly commended. Thus the
Governor speaks:
The comprehensive character of tho re-
port 10 indicated by the mere recital OF the
subjects embraced In the several measures.
They contemplate radical reduction in
tho amount and cost Of public printing; also
changes which will work material saving
10 the state in the management OF the peni-
tentiAry on the suggestion OF those In charge
OF that institutiOnj the conversion of the
state rofOrmRtOrY ot Hutchinson into an asy-
lum for the insane; tho election OF railroad
commissioner by the people; the creation
Of a department OF agriculture In place of
the present board, with a secretary 10 be
elected by the people, and perform, In ad-
ditiOn 10 his other functions, those Of the
present commissioner of forestry and silk
culture, which offices are abolished; a re-
vision OF the law governing fees and salaries
OF county officers and a reduction OF the
same, especially In the more pOpulOus Coun-
ties; q reappOintment Of the state for judi
Oial purposes, reducing the number Of dis
triCtB; the regulation OF banks and banking
and the creation OF bank commissioner; a
revision Of the laws relating 10 the assess
mant and collection of taxes; transferring
the soldiers' home TO the state board OF
charities, and RbOlishing tho present board
In charge OF tho home, q revision OF the
laws relating 30 the charitable and educa-
tional institutions of the state; fixing the
pay of the trustees Of Che former at q small
salary and actual expenses; instead Of the
present unfair plan Of per diem and mileage
and reducing the number OF regents OF the
normal school ard Agricultural college from
seven 20 nVo oACn, HmlGlnR Gnolr pay 70
actual expenses; q reform In che matter OF
textbooks for common schools; an impOr-
tant change In the state library and histori-
oRl society; the creation Of board of pub
liO works 10 superintend the creation of all
buildings Of the state; the complication OF
all acts relating 10 state officers, with some
amendments touching the fees and COM
penaation Of the auditor and secretary OF
state; including the abolition Of q number
of boards and officers,
The Governor recommends the neces.
sAEy legislation ON allen land-holdlng
on the Texas cattle law, on the age-of-
consent law, on lotteries, on reiundlne
law abuses, on sugar bond frauds, and on
discharge Of jail prisoners.
Under the head OF corporations the