Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-01-04
THE NEWS BUDGET FROM WACO.
REPRESENTATIVE MILLS Talks
ABOUT STATE REVENUE.
some Plans to Reduce the Expenses.
Representative Thomas ON the Fee
System and Its NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
nan's Separate Judicial District.

Wucos itA-, Jan o. IAoh- N14heA A {.
Thomas. representative-elect from
this district TO the STATE legislature,
will leave for Austin tomorrow. En-
gagged In preparation for his departure
he was interviewed today by the Ga
zette correspondent concerning meas
urcs in which he takes an especial in
tercst, the fec System and legullzation
OF the primaries. Concerning the fee
system he said:
ut Is an abuse patent 10 all. There
have been efforts Mt legislation on
this line. The question has been ngi-
tnted in other states OF the Union.
The federal statutes limit the total
amount OF fees TO be received by court
officers. 1t is the method provided
for the clerks OF our higher courts.
The press OF the state has for long
time clamored that II be extended to
county officers. IT II even a demand
In the state platform Of the Third par
ty. All people OF all parties are agreed
that the incomes OF all county officers
should be curtailcd TO fair and rea-
sonable compensation.
but remember that even were II ad-
visable, the county officers could not
be put on salaries The constitution.
whether wisely or unwlsely prescribes
that the sheriff. county attorney, coun-
~ Judge, county and district clerks
shall receive as compensation Huch
fees, perquisltes and commissions as
the legislature may TX, These OF ne
cessity must be uniform In all coun-
ties. Where thinly settled, the COM
pcnsation is barely sufficient In few
- Fna
pensatlon becomes excessive. The only
way to reach the evil, without an
amendment to the constitution. IL the
passage OF a law providing that at
ter these fees have reached certain
reasonable amount. the surplus shall
20 to the county. A firm. friend OF
better roads. / would be glad to see
the excess go to the road and bridge
fund OF the county"
or the legaiization OF the primaries.
he is an earnest champion. Speaking
OF this subject. he said;
Impure elections pollute our poll
tics. They degrade the ballot box.
They drive away our best citizens.
They put unworthy men in office. They
defeat the peoples viii They are a
menace to good government. They
threaten today the ncrpetuity OF our
free institutions. The tiate should
step In and throw It's projecting shield
about our suffrage The primary with
all It's attendant Ills Il seems has como
to stay. II so ! favor its legallza-
tinn. 1t Is true the primary Is a part
OF the party organization, but this
government IL run by parties. II Is
true II is only method OF making
nominations. but Its nominees become
our officers The same REASONS that
impel registration In a general election
demand registration In n primary. The
same principle that woSld punish H.
legal voting In a general election de-
mands that fraud OF all kinds be pun
ished in primary Tho citizen who
trades and trafiics in suffrage at any
time anywhere, in June or November,
in primary or general election, should
| be subject TO the palms and penalties
of outraged law. In McLcnnnn coun-
~, and in fact In nil our populous
counties, the curse is known of all
men. The evil VIII Grow with our
growth IN population. There is reason
for the discomfort and disgust OF hon
est citizens with public affairs.
There is n strong and growing de-
mand for the protection OF the ballot
box. In other states OF the Union
In New York. Missouri. Mississippi and
Kentucky-the primary has been legal
| lied In self-defense."
Mr.. Thomas has been irving the
matter OF regulating and controlling
the primaries by statute moro or less
consideration since his election nnd
proposes 10 do all ia his power to
| secure the passage of n law that will
| purify, simplify and dignity the prlmry
election. Mr., Thomas ~ the Youngest
| member of the new legislature, SO far
as heard frog. n brilliant young law
yer, whose friends are confident will
make an excellent member OF the
house.