The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-01-21
THE COLONEL GOES INTO THE
MERIT OF THINGS.


As Col. Bolts slowly twirled the toddy
spoon and calmly awaited the supreme
moment when the sugar would assume
liquid consistency, he remarked that
he had been agreeably surprised to find
such general disposition on the part
Of the present legislature TO waste no
time on irrevelant matters. "On the
contrary" said he. 'the propensity APP
pears to be to sit down on dilatory and
useless legislation with Il hard and re-
sounding thud.
1.-THE first shot in this direction was
fired yesterday, when the chairmen Of
the various house committee met and re-
solved to head of vast horde of bills
which possess no merit, and this will be
done by simply declining to report such
measures to the house. lt was further
more resolved that the printing Of such
bills should be discontinued. Many y
boundless, weary waste of words VIII
| thus fail to find vent.
| 1.-THE enforcement of the rule will pos
sibly cause some heart burnings, but in
the end, the interest of the people will
| be snbserved. And again, the time Of
| the house, which heretofore has fire.
quently been frittcred away in listening
to long-winded speeches upon measures
of no consequence, can be devoted TO
the discussion of matters that arc of i'm
portance to the horny-handed tax pay
ers. If bills are not on the calendar,
the members will escape many trying
ordeal. The speaker, il is understood,
favors the plan of the committee chair
men, and will assist in carrying them
out. 1t is understood that Mr.. Dashiell
fayors hut one session daily, from 8 to
1916, the afternoons to be devoted to
committee work, where the hard spar
ring will he DONE and night sessions will
not be held unless absolutely necessary.
Having perfected the organization. APP
pointed committees and inaururatcd the
executive, the decks have been cleared
for action, and the Twcnty-tifth lcgisla-
tlre is out for record.
Seems to me, Governor Culbcrson
was shying some bricks yesterday when
he referred to the slandcrous methods
pursued during the recent campaign
Well, there was room for vigorous kick,
and I'm mighty glad the governor made
the roar. 1t used to be that a man with
a clean personal character could escape
the shafts of malice and the malignant
attacks of small men in politics. but
things have changed since the Hood and
no man IL safe in these enlightened
times. That floral display on the speak
cr's desk at the governors inauguration
was very fine, wasn't it?
THAT little speck Of war, which al)-
peared on the horizon the other day,
seems to grow as it. rolls I've heard
several references to il that lead me to
believe that one or two doughty warriors
are carrying cheese knives. One of my
friends said to me: I don't often quote
anybody. but the following lines from
Henry, the Eighth, seem apropos TO the
situation: His promises WERE rs he
was then. mighty; but his performance,
MS he is now, nothing" And there
YOU are. understand the gentleman
from Santonc is not the only one who
treasures the recollection OF broken
pledge. But we shall see what we shall
SEQ. Time is on arbitrator that settles
al disputes. and kc who laughs last,
| laughs best"