The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-01-24
LEGISLATIVE GOSSIP.

/ W. years tE' W il'll '''h''A'i A'''
introduced Il bill in the senate to reduce
the membership of the legislature II oc-
casioncd considerable discussion, but re-
suited in no definite action. This trip now
ever he is determined to occasion more
than idle talk and with that object IN view
has introduced a very strong Dill on the
same question that he agitated two years
ago. The bill he introduced the early
part of this session provides that senator's
and representatives shall be elected only
once every four years, that their salary
shall be 5000 per annum, and that the
membership Of the House shall be limited
10 % and the senate to ~ with one regular
session of the legislature every TOUR years.
Senator Greer has also bill 81 similar
nature requiring that all county ana
state officers shall likewise be elected
every four years.
Senator Greer uses as an argument III
favor of his bill that elections every two
years simply sutiicies to keep polltlcs ever
on the move No sooner does man get
into office than he must immediately DeSlh
to hustle for reelection. Inc senator con
tends that when man is installed INTO
office it takes him at least SIX months 10
get perfectly familiar with the records ana
business thereof He devOtes ms atteh-
ton TO business for the next IL months,
and then the first breeZes OF the next elec-
ton begins to fan his cheek. inns settles
IL IOF lIlt ItllldiHlhB ola
official term, he is out on the hastings look.
ing after his fences while the business, OF
his office goes to the bOw-wows In TINS
way the office holder practically only ser
YES one year though he is elected Tor TWO:
In order to make office holding more OF
Il business trust and less OF pontlcal
arena, Senator Greer now presents his
bill providing for four years terms. In
this move he has the hearty support OF
quite number of his colleagues. In TINS
connection ii would be well to state that
Senator Greer is not far amiss in his sur
misses about the office seekers leaving their
offices six months before the election.
Here at the state capital that is especially
the case. 1t was demonstrated more
nffectually than ever before during the
canvass lust closed and for months at a
time some of the bosses in the state house
never saw the inside of their offices. Co
ing Mt the same rate Senator Greer's bill
would at least assure the tax payers OF
three years of service ut the hands OF the
office holders. and il is to be commended
for that il no other reason.
The Introduction of this bill has, how
ever taken n turn that was wholly uneX-
nccted by mnny and not given much
thought by the few, in that it is about to
result in the calling of Il constitutional
convention. The committee that have the
nil under consideration will, in all proba
q
tmtionol convention when they make their
rrnort ON the bill Senator Greer at one
time contaminated the introduction of q
resolution 10 that effect himself, but he
forbore for prudent reasons. 1t Is gener-
ally conceded among thinking politicians
that this calling of n constitutional con
vention il n dangerous thing, though they
are ready to admit it's necessity. The
calling of this convention is dangerous in
that Il ia n most excellent opportunity
for the Swinging of a mine and the total
anpihilotion of the Democratic party. 1t
is dangerous because il would rive the
Republicans n fine opportunity by fusion
ncratic PARTY in Texas. The recent count
for governor of this state showed that
within four years the Democratic vote
has been pulled down from 275.OOO major,
ity to $4,000 plurality. 1t further showed
that instead of having majority the
Democrats lacked the possession OF any
such by shortage OF over oYuo No'ts
This fact Is seriously cons'ueseu W
thinking Democrats Mhen tme uu' 70
ton OF CONSTITUTIONS. eotau'' ShariJ
sprung suppose .no coi W. - naoasar ;iv
be called Tor inns suliIler, Us =. 4
wou,9 Pc VIM ~ u u aSnnhi;con politicinn 70
Wouiu ~ iul I'e d. Pwnrkjng in with the
Eet ~ niI ,,'ia ,Sonoaa 10 500 thar the
doiaaotes sent To the convention were
aeltEu'e. ,o, 1' at,,icted with Populist doc
p n,naS ond IN on co thew got the majority
&c Inc convention. which would not be
un,itelv, the result would be disastrous
to tho state of Texas, inasmuch as she
wonld be forced to swallow a Populist
Tlatform. It is contended by some that
the Republicans would not help the Popu-
lists In this their opinion is offset by
the opinions of others who contend that
the Republic cans would be perfectly Wiling
10 fuse with the Populists 70 get une
Democrats out OF power. IL IL senerulay
conceded mat the hepuDilchns hase ~
helped the populist WIN IN eye s,tEi 80 ~
their own lhterests; p ne ~ortv ;s
Sno" iuli ven lliat tne opG ;o','s p 60 last
entlrely 700 errntic IN i'S pnoT;.;n, tb;s
more lhhh Few ieals' ,iii;n, .e o;vo
them the relns Tor priei space II, .nu.
, NY N a. tho conservative are fearful
ue''e .it.,.;onaI oonyontion Thev