The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-04-04
THE HOUSE KNIFES THE VOLUN-
TEER GUARD APPROPRIATION
YESTERDAY MORNING.
ON THE GROUND THAT AS THERE
WILL BE NO WARS THEY ARE
NOT NEEDED.
The House Passes IArmistead's Anti
& Trust Bill and the Senate Winds Up
8. Their Appropriation Bill-Way-
land on His Fee Bill.

COublucEbl1Ou Va kIb appropriation Tue
adjutant generals department being the
one under fire. In order to set the ball
in motion Representative Patterson fred
a missile at the reading clerk, which pro-
yided that no appropriation should be
made for the Volunteer Guard associa-
'tion. This simple resolution meant a.
great deal, and naturally resulted, IN. "a
runninn fire of argument that lasted
nearly four hours. During the animated
discussion that was resultant on this reso-
luton, Representatives Patterson, Wester
and Burns were the main leaders in the
fight to abolish the appropriation and Rep
resentatives Jennings, Owsley, Ward,
Taryer, Morrison and Brown spoke in
advocacy of it's retention. The debate
ms. an animated one in many respects,
and developed that degree Of fanaticism
and narrow judgment on the one side
that has for so long swayed this legisla-
ture in the line of biased reform and I'M
reasonable and undesirable retrenchments.
Representative Wester, in speaking in
favor of the adjustment of the appropria-
ton actually assured his hearers that
h slavery was over and there was no more
need of the rifle and drum with the ever
dreadful rattle of musketry. Never con-
sidering for an instant, apparently, that
the United States collectively and as
individual states is now standing on the
very verge of an outburst between CAPT
tai and labor that can be famed into
violent action by q mere breath. lie
added that when the time did come for
war men would rally to the front and there
was no need for any encouragement of
a Volunteer Guard by means of this ap-
preparation. That as for himself, he was
in favor of blotting out entirely the adult
ant generals department, and every
branch of government coming under that
head. He argued further that patriotism
Z should call men to duty when the oppor-
tunity offered, and that was the only
time that an armed force was necessary.
Mr.. Patterson, in speaking to his
amendment, PRONOUNCED as veriest, rot
Z all this cry of war. That no such thing
in the forum" demanded that the appro-
priation for the Volunteer Guard should
be stricken out.
M Mr.. Burns made long harangue, in
which he showed that God and man alike
demanded that the appropriation be strick-
on out.
Colonel Jennings, speaking in favor of
tnO appropriations, hluuC IL hOpI ChSSllNS
and matter of fact speech, in which he
H,irtcd out the necessity for the mainte-
i nc, of the Volunteer Guard, Representa-
ives Owsley, Morrison and Tarver all
spoke most feelingly and ably for the re-
tension of the appropriation. Representa-
tive Ward, while speaking on the mat
ter, cited the fact that the governor him
self had not objected to this appropria-
ton, and certainly his retrenchment
Friends in the house could not conscien-
tiously fight for the striking out of that
7 which the governor himself had offered no
Imposition to- He also showed that the
acity of Austin had in good faith purchas-
ed, at an expense of some $35, 900 suit
Able grounds for the location of the drill
Grounds, and that this ground had been
Needed to the state with the understand
\ Ing that there were to be annual en-
fcampments held thereon, and it was a
breech of faith for the state not to APP
Bproprlate some money for these annual
Sencampments. He cited further that no
appropriation was asked for this year,
and that the legislature could certainly
do no wiser an act than to agree with the
finance committee and make the appro-
priation for 1896.
Representative Brown, while speaking
for the appropriation, stated that since
x bis earliest days he had always been
taught that in time of peace one must
prepare for war. With this as his text
Mr.. Brown made a strong, logical and
forcible argument in favor of the Vol
nnteer Guard. The arguments in favor
of the retention of the appropriation were
as logical as those in opposition to it
Were fanatical an, unjust, but it was all
to no purpose. The Rip Van Wrinkles
in the house had awaken from their
| slumbers for few brief minutes. Their
minds were still clouded with the wine
they had been furnised with before sleep
ing in the Mountain of biased Retrench-
ment and Reform and no argument, no
matter how sound or logical could per-
meate through the opinions that had al
ready been formed, and which it was
useless to attempt to change or divert
/ in the slightest instance. During the dis
cussion; that same old, silly proposition
about this money being appropriated for
Att ~ sc Of the city of Austin, more than
an. benefit of the Volunteer Guard. Rep
resentative Freeman was the gentleman
he may have thought he made great hit,
he is respectfully informed by the friends
Of the Guard in Austin that that old song
has been sung before Texas legislatures
SO often that it has positively grown pain
full 1t is the same every year. When
k appropriations are made for the main.
4 tenance of the various asylums in this
n city the average HelnUeT iOOhS on tuuC rs
7 SO much money donated to the city of
.sAutin. This song, has been sung SO long
'Aand 30 constantly that it is not to be
Wondered at that some able solons have
|Inot wanted to change the site of the capt.
Ital to somewhere near Tyler or some other
fIpoint
n Mr.. Freeman is further informed that
1.-THE appropriation for the volunteer guards
|is of little more benefit to Austin than it
lis to any other city in the state. The few
ipaltry dollars spent here by the members |
lof the Guard hardly equal that spent by |
1.-THE members of the legislature who hold |
North here once every two years and sleep |
Hin the capitol committee rooms or fill |
I boarding houses to overlooking while |
the hotels have spare rooms galore. The |
arguments in favor of the abolition of |
! the Voluteer Guard yesterday were of |
such nature as to lead the friends of |
the Voluteer Guard to question as to |
whether or not Democracy was not get |
ting the better of some members who |
voted for the abolition of the appropria- |
ton.
N 1t was yesterday argued on the floor of |
the House that there were no more wars |
to be had, and therefore we needed no |
militia. The gentlemen who made these |
occart;nno oartoinlv Acknowledged thair |