The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-12-23
Mr.. CRANE ON LOBBYING
NE 'Ahs HE HAS NEVER LopsIEn
AGAINST THE TEXT BOOK
BILL.
OffERS REWARD FOR INFORMATION
ih"t VIII Convince Him Tint He
was An Anti Text Book Biu
Lobbyist-The Interview
in Full.

Attorney General Crane yesterday
favored the press with an interview ~,
the subject of an article in the Dallas
news of recent date, written by one of
Its staff correspondents, saying that he
mad often been charged with lobbying
against the text book bill and that the
matter has never been authoritatiyely
denied. In the interview Mr.. Crane
stated that his attention had been called
to the article i'll question, and said:
L have been too busy to take time to
notice it until now. Hon. S. p. Evans
OF Grayson county has offered S25 re-
ward to any man who will prove the
charge made that I ever iobbied against
the bill in any sense whatever. To this
! VIII add 30 more. Now, let somebody
furnish the proof, or else quit making the
charge. NO member of the legislature
can lfuthtully say that | ever, directly
or indirectly, sought to influence his vote
ON the text book bill. am sure that all
Will bear me witness on that proposition.
The report that | was against the bill
was based upon the fact that opposed
the state uniformity bill offered in the
Legislature i'll 1891. At that time | was
serving IN the senate. Instead of state
uniformity, proposed district uniformity
The majority of my colleagues decided
against me. The legislature adjourned
and was called together again in specia,
session in 1892, when the question wa,
again brought forward. | voted against
the bill again, as did my friend Governor
lester, he being a member of the house
mat ended my connection with text bool
legislation and text book discussion unit
the last legislature imposed on me tn,
duty vi serving as member of the tex
book board.
AS attorney general l have been par
tlcuiarly careful not to interfere by sug
gestion, or otherwise, with the member
or the Legislature in any measure pendin,
before that body, unless the bills wer
such as the work of my department
rendered proper for me to discuss witt
them. Heads of the departments are no
expected to lobby against bills, nor TO
them. Indeed their efforts in that dj
rectlon are always resented. [ have bee
careful, not to overstep the boundary s.
long and well recognized
The text book bill is now n law, an
L am endeavoring, in connection with th
other members of the board to execute
'Noi'iS W us ltlltE ana SDlrlt,
know of no one in favor of repealing q
! modifying the present law until such tim
as it can be fairly tested. No fair ties
of it can be made until long after tn
next legislature shall have met and aC
Journed. Indeed, it will take sewers
! years to demonstrate whether it is th
best method of dealing with the text boo
question or not.
The Dallas News correspondent
also mistaken in stating that the charg
that l lobbied against the text book hi
mas never been authoritative!y deniet
Some weeks ago | made a statement
reference to suits brought against til
railroads constituting what is called tn
| Southern Pacific system. In that stat,
ment | called attention to the fact tina
mad been charged with lobbying agains
the text book bill, and denounced th
charge as utterly and unqualifiedly falls,
on both points" VA