The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-01-21

the railroad commission has fully sus-
tanned the wisdom of its creation. In
that time it has established or amended
tariffs on practically every species of
freight except lumber. The general mer-
chandise tariff was put into operation
August G, 1895, and required great in
dustry and labor. Railway bonds on COM
pleted roads aggregating 81 100000 were
examined and registered under the act
to prevent fraudulent and fictitious issues
of such securities. More than 5000 miles
of railroad have been inspected and
valued as an honest basis for the issue
of bonds. Reduction in rates was made,
among other things, on cotton, general
merchandise, agricultural implements,
farm wagons, bagging and ties, machine
ry, engines and boilers, cotton gins, feed
ers and condensers, cotton presses, beams,
columns and Orders, stoves and stove
ware, woodenware, furniture, iron cast
ings, horse and mule shoes and packing
house goods. The total amount saved to
the people for the two years by the reduc-
mission, is $2,231 900. The work of the
board of pardon advisers difficult and in
dispensable, has been performed with ex..
ceptional efficiency and fidelity. Several
thousand applications for pardon have
been considered and POI were granted for
felonies from the penitentiaries. From
the reformatory JOG pardons were grant
ed, sixty-six of which were because thu
applicants were over 16 years of age and
therefore illegally sent to that institution.
Performing his duties with ability and
commendable energy, the state revenue
agent has contributed materially to the
increased revenue collected during the
term from the traffic in beer and whisky
and in the enforcement of laws relating
to other taxable occupations. The ran
gers and Volunteer Guard, under the di-
rection of the adjutant general, have rem
dered gallant and conspicuous service III
the suppression of crime and the mamie
nance of law and order. Largely through
the clear foresight and wise conduct OF
the state health officer, we have been en-
tirely free from dangerous epidemics. An
account of the public moneys received
and paid out by the executive from funds
subject to his order, vouchers
for which are filed with the comp
troller. is attached to this mes
sage and an examination will show That
the amount is less than for many years.
The heads of all departments, and state
institutions have discharged their duties
faithfully and with distinguished ablllty,
and your attention is particularly IN
vited to their reports, which contain
valuable information and suggestions. In
all departments and i'll every grade or
the service a high order of official in
tegrity has been exhibited. 1t is not
extravagant to declare, in summing up
the condition of the state, that i'll fidelity
of the officials, in the liberality and Wis
dom of her laws, in her great charities
and reformatories, in her splendid instl,
buttons of learning, in her commercial
and industrial progress, in the economy,
cleanliness and strength of her govern
ment and in the intelligence and charac-
ter of her people Texas may invite gen
erous comparison and rivalry with her
sisters of the republic.
LEGISLATION RECOMMENDED.
Platform Demands-In the consider;a-
ton of legislation at this session, easily,
first is that to which the executive and
n majority of the legislation are pub
licly pledged. This legislation needs
neither argument nor extended statement
TO support it. 1t has been fully dis
cussed and approved by the people, the
legislature is solemnly obligated to enact
it, and a failure to do so would justly
subject it to severe censure and CON
domination. Broadly stated, this legisla-
ture is bound by party platform ~ to
continue economy and reduce expenses
wherever practicable, t2) literally sup
port the free schools, 81 literally main
tain the higher educational institutions