The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1896-08-21

o. We demand n reapportionment Of
the judicial districts Of the state, to the
end that the labor Of the judges may be
equalized and unnecessary districts
abolished.
6. We demand that the legislature en-.
act law requiring express companies to
maintain general offices within the linn.
rs Of the state.
z We indorse the reforms in our fee
system recommended by Governor Cul.
borson, and demand that the fees Of
county and district offices be regulated
by the enactment Of law similar to
that which now regulates the compensa-
ton Of county trcasurcrs, with such
notifications as will secure efficient
public service and be Just alike to officer,
litigant and taxpayer.
S, The Democratic party is the friend
Of labor and the laboring man, and ftr
the ample and sufficient protection Of
the artisans, mechanics and laborers of
our state, we demand She passage Of lib
eral laws, securing them in the prompt
payment Of their wages, and providing
for fixing and enforcing liens therefor.
o. We demand such further amend.
mcnts TO the present fellow servant law
as will attain the purpose sought to be
accomplished thereby, and as will pro.
tect employees Of railway and other cor.
porations in their lives and against in.
jury.
10. The Democratic party will con.
tinue its well established policy Of dis.
posing Of the public school lands Of the
state to those desiring homes, 90 As to
promote, as far as practicable, the set.
Element Of the country and its speedy
development. To this end, and that the
school fund may be more speedily in.
creased from that source. we favor su, /
legislation as will facilitate the sale Of
such lands. rather than the indefinite
perpetuation Of lease system.
II. We demand reformation In cur
criminal laws. Among the reforms i'm
pcratively d,mAndod is an amendment
10 the code Of criminal procedure au,
thoh7ing the appellate court to presume
that all matters Of venue were proven
on the trial, that the accused pleaded to
the indictment and that the jury WIS
sworn. unless such questions were in is.
sue in the trial court and were Their
acted upon before appeal; an amend.
mcnt 90 article i25. code OF criminal
procedure, TO the effect that tho appel.
late court shall not be required to re.
verse a Judgment unless a failure Of
the trial court TO observe the require.
mentS Of that article probably injured
the defendant and deprived him Of .
fair trial, and the correction Of the evi
Of professional jury service. We fur.
Their demand that our jury laws be re.
vised and that the number 81 eIomr.
tons from jury service be reduced, ard
that in every criminal case trials shall
be alike fair and impartial as between
the state aud defendant. and TO tn
the state have the same number Of per.
emptory challenges allowed defendant.
r. We believe that the system Il
hiring oonyicts to individuals or corpor.
Ations is contrary to public policy ard
should DO discontinued at the eArlit
practicable oment consistent with tAe
best interests Of tho state. We favor the
adoption Of the amendment 10 section Z,
article Z, Of the constitution, submitted
by the Twenty-fourih legislature, which
will permit the investment Of portion
Of the school fund in agricultural Ian
for the beneft Of the penitentiary syS.
TEN. This viii prosi,la necessary Ell.
ploymcnt fcr convicts, restrict eompe:i.
ton with free labor. assist in avoidiiV
taxation 10 support the Penitentiaries
and furnish a safe investment foF th,
fund. hut the amount Of money for thl,
purpose should bs carefully limited.
10. We favor such careful and gpard
cd laws a. may DO necessary 70 ORAi :
the state board OF education. Ia the In,
vestment Of the school fund In countv
bonds, TO compete with private inves..
ors, so that this fund may not lie idle In
the tFeasgFy
u. The constiiutiog yell declares
chat a general diffusion Of knowledge Il
essential 20 che preservation Of liberty,
and we therefore demand . careful hu''
banding and faithful administration nj
the school fund and revenue Of the state,
10 the end that the constitutional pr,
vision requiring the public free school
20 be maintained for at least six mont
" the year shall be observed faithiull-
aud that the university, Us branohs
and other educatioJal institutions snail
receive az proper and adequate support
for their maintenance and growth.
%. Having founded the eonteisra.,
home, the Dempcratic party takes spec
ial pride in the neOossanOs and comforts
II provides for disabled heroes, and
pledges a continued Improvement and
enlargement Of iis benefits.
10. We pledge to all classes aud races
equal protection in the enjoyment OF
life, liberty and pursuit Of happiness
Provision has already been made by u,
ios the control and management Of the
oOlored schools " colOred trustees
The Prairie View normal school shppld
Be enlarged. making provision for in.
a a I