The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-01-17
GOVERNOR HOGG's MESSAGE.

GOV ERNOl( hObO - MLc'cAII.
The prediction among some psued'
wfse-acres that Governor Hogg's messag
to the legislature would be antagonist
to the policy that would soon follow il
the recommendations made to the legis
lature by Governor Culberson has beer
Il disappointment TO those who wished t.
see such Il clash. From the representa-
tons of those who prOfessed to know al
about it and did not know anything abou
it we feared the very touch of GOvernO
Hogs message by Govenor-elect Culber
son would send Il cold chill dancing dow
the spinal column of the latter more sever,
than was ever produced by a temporary
residence in the miasmatic bottoms of thu
Brazos river, but none of these parthiaI
arrows have been shot from the bow o.
the retiring governor.
Governor Hogs message is Il. modest
account of his stewardship. lie does moi
arrogate to himself the right to advise the
legislature upon any state policy that
more properly would come under the re-
concentrations of Governor Culberson
but is content to show the wisdom of ce."
tain laws that had their origin during his
administration and Il few modest sug'
gestions about these laws AMI others that
his superior facilities of information made
Il duty that he has becominGly discharged
There are few pet laws enacted during
the last four years that have so impressed
their wisdom upon the mind of the retir-
ing governor that his eulogy of them
can be attributed to a pardonablt vanity
for the important part he played in their
enactment 1t is also right and proper
that the outgoing governor should give an
account of the condition of the state in
situations and their necessities, which he
has done in very satisfactory manner.
There are suggestions made ~ the gov
ernOr as to the amendment of the law
permitting failing debtors to make amy
preference of assignment and the
recommendation to the legislature to
pass II stay law, that need
consideration and future discussion
There are, however, two items
in the governors message that are
highly gratifying. The first is
the statement that notwithstand-
ing "we have no auditor and no consist
cnt methods of balances and checks by
which abuses may be detected and pre-
vented, be it said to the honor and credit
of the state that up to this time the pub
lie servants have been honorable and
Not the slightest suspicion has
ever been cast upon the integrity or tide-
ity of Il single state official nor has there
been reason for it." In these times Of
pcculation and official corruption and
this is certainly q most graft
flying statement and although these pub
lie servants have done nothing more than
their duty, their names will be conSpicu
Gus on the state roll of honor, atteSting
the high standing of morals of the people
of Texas.
The next item reads as follows: "Ap
pended hereto you will find an account
out by myself from the funds subject TO
my order for the past two years, and the
vouchers therefor are on file with the
comptroller, subject to legislative and
public Inspection We believe that the
governor is not required 10 account for
the secret service fund appropriated for
use ut his discretion, but the fact that
Governor lIogg has filed his vouchers
accounting for every dollar of it with the
emphasizes not only the
well known thorough honesty of Cover
nor IIOgg, but giving this account is in
evidence of the governors high sense
Of official responsibility that is worthy of
example to all public officials entrusted
in any way with the funds of the state.
We have frequently differed with Gov
nrnor Hogg as to his policy, and in the
heat of Il political contest may have
said some things that it were better we
had not said, but as a public officer and
rs man we have always had the high
ast respect for what we knew was his
official and personal integrity and stern
ncorruptibility, and we congratulate
lin and his friends upon the fact that
lc goes out of Office above suspicion and
without one spot on his official or private
ife.