The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-01-19
,ec< Make the right of the companies to do
business in this state depend on payment oil the

business in this state depend on pay "en' Va '"o
tax.
10. Tax rectihers and brewers.
1t is confidently believed that by Juuic,,ous
| application of these measures properly sa,uy i
| NAV be levelled up; taxes more nearly equal
| lied and many who are now escaping uAauon
may be forced TO pay their just dues 70 tne gov,
eminent and as consequence the a1 caO Ts-
tax of the state though now very ow, can TO-
main without any necessity Of increase.
Criminal Laws.
The codes of criminal law and criminal pro :,
cedure in the main are strong, simple ana emcs
cious With few amendments to the law 81
homicide and governing charges OF trial courAs
on all questions of crime on the line presented
and advocated by message TO the hrst session VI
the 22nd legislature TO . hich reference is mere
made the codes would be quite unexcepuop-
able There has never been and can never be,
in sound justice and principe e, any reasonable
excuse Tor civilized people TO permit technical
complications To remain in the way OF the con-
viction of men who are guilty OF the highest
crime known to their laws The law of murder
can be so simplifed that the offender cannot es-
cape on technicalities any more for that high
crime than he could for stealing horse. But
when the court has to charge ON murder OF the
two degrees man-slaughter and Unsuitable or
excusable homicide in nearly every trlal ior
murder to Jurors not of trained and discrimi-
Mating minds who must pass upon the varied
questions arising from so many dencate leat.
ures of the law 1t is not at all astonishing that
SO many of that class of the worst criminals es-
cape A revision of the jury system so as TO
remove most of the exemptions ana disquann-
ignorant and professional jurors, would tend
greatly eradicate the existing evil When
a person unlawfully kills another. he should
be certain of speedy fair public trlai before
an intelligent jury without the hope of escape
by artfully lodging through meshwork OF
technicalities
that when, from maudlin sentiment or other
less commendable spirit, the people of any
country permit offenders against the gaming
and other misGemernor laws, including those
regulating the liquor traffic, to go unpublished
In their open and defiant criminal course, they
must expect and be prepared to submit to the
frequent shock of their feelings OF humanity by
the crack Of the assassin's gun. 1t Is as neces-
sary to enforce one law as another. An ofhcer
who neglects or refuses to perform his duties In
the suppression of the minor offenses Is none
too good to connive at higher crimes or TO
avoid all responsibility in relation TO their
prevention. Reform In the suppression OF
crime, like that of all other reform movements,
must begin at the bottom. fair demonstra-
ton of this law is in full public view for here
in the capitol city all the misdemeanor laws
have been more rigdly enforced for the past
two years than in any other city in the state;
and as consequence there have been less
crimes of the graver class committed and less
beggers and tramps rowing around within It's
limits during that period than in most any
other city of equal size In the south This
example is good one Its emulation by all
other communities will place Texas, i'll short
time, above all suspicion that her people are
lawless
Lotteries.
The corrupting influence of lotteries, per-
mitted or maintained by neighbor state or
countries, upon great class of Texas people,
cannot be overlooked. The constitution pro-
vides that the legislature shall pass laws pro
hibiung the establishment of lotteries and gift
enterprises in this state as well as the sale of
tickets in lotteries gift enterprises and other
evasions involving the lottery principle es-
tablished or existing in other states In some
To give 1t full effect, however. it would be well
to make every one who deals. in lottery tickets
or In any way represents lottery company or
sells or negotiates or transmits any money to or
from lottery shall be guilty of q criminal Of
Tense named in the law. In addition to this,
any express company or othe corporation do
ing business in this state that shall transmit
packages, letters, money or documents of any
character whatsoever to or from any lottery
company or its representatives or agents, shah
pay heavy penalty to the state on the acton
of any county or district attorney or the attor-
ney general and shall in addition thereto be
excluded from doing business within the state
IF a foreign corporation), and if domestic
one, forfeit its charter. There is way to ex-
clude these instruments of public debauchery
from the state, and the legislature certainly
can, and it is hoped, will rise to the emergency
of the occasion.
Stock Quarantine.
well regulated quarantine system for the pro-
lection of the stock interests of this state against
Infectious and epidemic diseases, as well as to
guard the citizens against hardships imposed on
them by the quarantine laws of the federal govern
ment and neighboring states, was advised by mes
sage to the special session of the last legislature,
but no further action was taken on the subject.
Your attention is respectfully called TO the Import
ance of this matter with the hope that the Inter
BILE legislation at this session to protect them may
be the result.
Worlds Fair.
1t has been a source of deep regret to many wor-
thy citizens throughout the state that Texas
be represented at the Worlds Columbian EXPOSE
tion In Chicago at public expense; yet this feeling
has given way to the grander element of pride
which will lead patriotic people on to respect the
provisions of the constitution on that subject and
to uphold and maintain 1t sacredly, and the
time have their state properly represented at that
great exposition Many of those misinformed have
all along supposed that the Legislature would make
suitable provision for Texas to be represented
there; but investigation of the constitution
prohibiting the like has dispelled every hope In that
direction. At last, the good people, imbued with q
commendable patriotic spirit must and will resort
to their private means by contributions to enable
task, and that Texas is honoraby and efficiently
represented on that occasion. Too much praise
cannot be offered In honor of snch patriotism.
While this legislature cannot make appropriations
to defray any Of the expenses incident to the ex-
hbit of the state at the Worlds Fair 1t pass n
law authorizing the commissioner of insurance,
statistics and history to loan on suncient guaran
tee Of their return such exhibits, relics and arti-
Giles of interest may be within his department to
the duly constituted agents of the state association
having the Worlds Fair management In charge.
This can be done clear of expense to the state with
out violation of the constitution and with much to
her advantage in all respects.
The Importance of this enterprise should not be
underestimated by the people nor their represent
atves for In the great struggle for the promotion,
enlightenment and success of progress and happi-
among the masses, no state possessed of grand
and varied resources can afford to fail In having
proper representation at this exposition, purtci-
pated In and supported by the people of the United
States and of the civilized world
Condition of the State.
As to law and order, except in two or three cities
fexas Is taking first rank in the American union
In material development she has been second to
none of the southern states within the past two
Vaar
over sixteen million dollars have been Invested In
new material Industries, and three hundred and
twenty three miles of railroad constructed, equip
ped and put In running operation In the state. To
day she presents the example of a free government
without pool, trust or combination to stife
competition in trade and the criminal element
WINGED that no part OF her territory Is an asylum
for them. Taxes have been decreased twenty-five
per cent so that they lower than in any
other southern state the rate of interest reduced
two per cent, the public debt paid when due the
charitable and all public institutions efficiently
maintained without extravaganza or scandal the
public health protected from infections and cpl
demc diseases and the people generally are pros
porous, and tramps are rarely ever seen There
have been less failures in mercantile circles. and
more universal prosperity diffused throughout ev-
cry avenue and circle among the masses than the
state has Witnessed in many years before.
Conclusion.
Your honorable body must make or repeal the
laws. You are vested with exclusive power on this
s