Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-05-01
COMMISSIONER REAGAN.

hce OF United States senator III order TO &C
cept an office under the government OF
Texas. He Will be one OF the railroad COM
missioners OF Texas. He IS particularly well
qualified for the office upon which he will
soon enter, and this is ground upon which
10 congratulate the people Of Texas.
What we see especially to commend In
Senator Reagan's course is the fact that he
esteem5 it 4 higher honor to serve his state
than to remain in the United States senate.
There has been too little of this spirit
among the public men OF this country. The
glittering prize of seat IN the United
States senate is looked upon BY most men
Us more to be desired than any office under
q state government The result is that the
state administrations fail to receive the and
of the best talent and the greatest ability.
As rule, the state governments are such
in but little more than name. The ma
chinery of such 4 government IS wound up
every few years with the expectation that
it will, like a clock, run for stated period,
and that at the end of that period it will
need only to be wound up again. People
speak OF the administration OF such and
such governor, but there IS very little IN
the way of administration about tie dis
charge of the duties Of their offices: Most
governors are mere fgureheadS. They do
not stamp q particular character upon the
state government during their respective
terms, unless it be that one has, II posi-
BILE. q little less strength and decision than
another. What is true Of governors IS true
of nearly all the executive officers of the
state.
The same complaint may be made arainst
the members of state legislatures. Very
few of them exhibit the qualities of states
munship. Very few of them study the prob
lens Of state government, although some OF
those problems are OF most intricate and
difficult character. Too often The legislat-
ure is made training school for ambitious
young politicians. \ young lawyer thinks
that term in the legislature may help him
in his practice, and IN many cases such
young men see visions before them CT
honors TO be gained in the halls Of congress.
The idea of giving serious thought TO the
problems of state government, other than
Us a means of promoting their ambition IN
some other field. hardly enters their heads.
One result of this is IN Indifference in the
mind of the public for state government and
for state laws. This, in turn, breeds more
of the spirit of inactivity: and SO. instead OF
its containing a record OF the advance OF the
state governments in honor and dignity the
history of our country tells of the decadence
of these governments. That this is thing
greatly TO be deplored, any one who has
proper understanding OF the theory OF the
American government must admit.
But, happily, there are prospects OF re-
action. As the great states like Texas in
crease in population and wealth, men viii
be driven by the very necessities Of the case
TO give more attention TO state matters,
Stronger and more frequent demands Will
be made upon the able men OF the states to
serve in legislative and other offices. There
is out little to be hoped for in this respect
from the small and feeble states Of the
East. But much may be expected from
states like New York and Pennsylvania,
and much also from the great pommou-
II Of ba h.,s
set good example, which ii is 10 be hoped
Will De followed by eminent men in other
states who may be called upon TO serve I'M
der their state governments. Denver Re
publican.
Senator Reagan's appointment was
master stroke of policy. He enjoys the
confidence of the people of Texas, and as
chairman of the new commission, with L.
L. Foster and another strong man as the
third member, justice will be meted ont to
all alike Dallas Times-Herald.
The selection of Senator Reagan to be one
of the railway commissioners does credit to
the judgment of Governor Hogg.
The fact is, no wiser selection could have
been made and Senator Reagan's relin-
quishment of the senatorial position under
the circumstances is further proof of his
unselfsh patriotism and ever present desire
to serve his people wherever he can be of
the most service.
The success of the new law, the good re
suits to accrue to the people, must depend
entirely upon the administration of it; and,
in such contingency, Senator Reagan
above oil others in Texas. because of his ex-
perience and his long and careful study of
the trans portation problem, would seem to
be the man of the hour. He has grown IA
miliar with the subject, a very intricate
one, and his t1rmness of character, his in
tegrity, his devotion to the best
interests of all the people fully
duties involved in the execution of the law
for the good of the people and the railroads
jointly. Like other radical innovations the
commission law in Texas will of necessity
be beset with multifarious difficulties, re-
quiring great patience, skill and energy TO
put it in successful operation--not that it Will
meet with any particular opposition nom
the railroads, but from its very nature as an
untried experiment. Should Judge Reagan
succeed in this direction he will have added
another to the long list of obligations due
him from his people.
Commissioner Foster, the other ap-
pointee, is without experience in the Iine of
duties to be assumed, but is withal a man
Of ability, fairly well acquainted with the
needs of the state and people, and in the
Judgment of the Post, will make a most ex-
cellent commissioner.-IIH Houston Post.
Senator Reaean's appointment was
master stroke of policy. He enjoys the con-
fidence of the people of Texas, and as chair
man of the new commission, with L. l..
Foster and another strong man as the third
member. justice will be meted out to al
alike Dallas Tmes-Herald.
The appointment of Senator Reagan and
Mr. Foster on the railway commission re-
moves from the councils of the nation man
who has been prominent figure there for
many years and retains in the service of the
state two men who will surely work to-
gether with harmony and with a force
which will work its own rest lts.-[Austin
Statesman
The resignation of Senator Reagan IS a
greater surprise than was that Of Senator
Ednlunds three weeks ago. Senator Reagan
has been strong man in the senate, and
the people of Texas will miss him at that
important post, but the one he accepts, that
of railway commissioner. he is SO peculiarly
qualified TO I'll that he may be able to rem
der the people far better service It is to
be hoped that such viii be the result of the
change. Galveston Tribune.
Most Of the appointments made BY Gov
srnor Hogg have been made with wisdom,
and have been characterized by q thorough
fitness Of the appointee for the Office he was
appointed to ill. In no case is this mora
peculiarly applicable than in the appoint
ment OF Senator Reagan, on the railroad
commission. For many years an earnest
and consistent laborer in the Democratic
VINEYARD Senator REAGAN is to-day more