Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-07-04

tons affecting the taxation of property de-
bars him from voting at all This is the
first step towards the total disfranchise-
ment of the non-property holding
wealth-producing millions in order to effect
their complete Subiugation and enslave-
ment. The non-property holding, wealth
producing. intelligent Nineteenth century
voters, bearing the financial brunt OF the
promises wherein 10 predicate and demon
strate his full right to manhood, suffrage
ana share OF
HoNoRS IN OFFICIAL LIFE.
As was 10 have been expected. the foreign
investment companies ana the pettifoggerS
representing them have opened fire ca
the alien land law. When a hungry dog IS
bereft of bone no one is surprised if he
growlS.r But our people should bear well
in mind that the views of prominent capt.
taliSts and spectators are not necessarily
the views of the large maiOrityOt the people
who, honestly believe. favor the law. and
that it VIII % hard with the party attempt
ing its repeal. goes without saying. The
example of states where these speculative
monopolies have had full swing. where no
homestead exemption prevented their
rapacity. and where their USurious traffick-
ing in American lands has oeeu favored by
unjust and partial laws, tine farmers nave
become burdeued with a nine billion dollar
mortgage, which can never be paid under
our present system of national finance en-
cept by the cOnhScatlOn of the homes o.
millions of people. The back-dctiOn move
m:nt of the bosses on this question, eager
to do the bidding of Wall street. but demon
strateS the more clearly 70 my mind the
utter useleSsuesS of longer expecting reform
through old party channels Judging from
experience gained, amt from the lights be-
fore mel am more than ever impressed N,tl
the fact that reform 10 come at all must be
Of the people, for the people and 10y the
people and not of the bosses AMI eInisSarieS
of the money power.
There are many questions OF importance
which YOU will be called 10 act upon which
il is impossible for me 10 cover at this time
| would ask YOU To look we'll 10 the con
spirdcy laws of Texas which declare an
unlawful assembly 10 De the meeting Of
three or more persons 10 aid or abet in any
manner their fellow man in an effort 10 i'm
prove has or their condition III thiS lie, "a
the end that his passage through the same
may be less enSiaved, his Journey less
wearisome under the Dljghting and man
destroying operations of the trusts and
combinations uow menacing IN their atti-
tude toward the people threatening their
liberties, their lives the stability and en-
durancG of our institutions.
Meetings for labor combinations. under
Texas laws, are held 10 be conSpiraCieS, but
meetings in the interest of captalistic mon
opolieS are not under ban of the law. | ask
you, brothers. is this eveu-handed luSticc{
We need frcer trade in every state as well
as reciprocity of trade with al nations.
The occupation tax laws Of Texas are in re
straint of trade between her citizens add
add largely TO the cost OF goods 10 the
consumers i'll every home. 1t is Il natural
right which the state should sustain and
not make Il penalty of, for every one to gain
an honest livelihood. The $500 annual
license fees and the occupation taxes on
Procers. merchants and traders, etc, etc,
violate that inalienable right of SeIf-main-
tenance which involves the right TO life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Al
laws III violation of these rights in our state
should be abrogated.
In speaking as your executive officer do
not forget that | am an humble citizen OF
Texas, whose interests are allied with her
wage workers in the everyday struggle for
the ncccsSaries Of life. If any shall say
that | am presumptiuous aud err in speak
ing upon the economic questions of state
and national policy. can assure them that
you, my brothers, have made it my dnty 20
speak at this time. | would that l vera
able to write the principles of our order
upon the dome of the skies, that all men
might read and judge OF the humane JUS
tice of our cause.
Adjourned till $50 p. IN.