The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-06-20

THE LEGISLATIVE RECORD.

The review Of the work OF the present
legislature of this State, SO admirably pre-
scented in the message sent In by Governor
Culborson last Friday. Is well worth the
careful consideration OF all good citizens
of Texas OF whatever political party. 1t
is especially commended TO those who have
been severest In their criticisms upon our
lawnakng body and State administration.
1t is easy TO become discouraged and dis
appointed at the apparent delays OF lcgls-
lators In the tram action OF the public bust
ness and their seeming indifference at
times to party pledges and large public In
terests. None of us are exempt from this
feeling of Impotence. and possibly ma
3ority OF lis are quick to give expression to
our dissatisfaction from time to time tn
questioaahly much time has been wasted
by the present assembly. but only those ia
miliar with the details and difficulties OF
legislation. the clash of local and personal
interests, and the tremendous pressure
brought TO bear by outside influences.
know how Impossible :; is to rush matters
even OF great general Importance through
body like the Texas legislature At last
we must wait and consider the sum total
OF legislative results before praisng Or
condcmning the representatives Of tie peo-
pie.
The governors message summarizing re
suits makes an excellent showing. indeed
y lnrse number of laws Of great public
significance have been passed. IN addition
to possibly the most faithful compliance
with party pledges witnessed this year in
the American Union. While the conduct
OF similar bodies throughout the country
has been the subject Of bitter criticism as
being aatagonisiic to the peoples interests
and in many cases corrupt and while scan
dals have married the record and disguised
tho public, not n thing of this kind has
been eharged against the legislature of
Texas. The body has been free from sean
dai and above suspicion, and. though dila-
tory and divided At times. has made an
honest effort 10 serve the massos of Texas
acceptstly and with profit to the public.
The democratic party can point to the
record without shame or fear,
In the matter Of economy Of expendi
lures as provided for in the appropriations
for the next two years, the work is esne-
cany gratifying. Without increasing the
burdens Of taxation. efficient government
has been assured and all the obligations Of
the State moral aud legal, amply met. In
decd the cost Of government for the ensu-
ing two years has been reduced to the ex
tent OF more than 100000 below the agere-
gate Of appropriations for the preceding
two years. This is a practical. honest and
statesmauhke recognition by the lawmak-
ing branch Of the present embarrassmouts
financially Of the people, and is in striking
contrast to the conduct Of republican leeis-
latures In the large Middle and Eastern
states, where, in spite of the general de-
preston, the burdens Of government have
been extravagautly and recklessly piled
SIN higher upon the people,
The Post has maintained repeatedly. IN
answering contemplate assaults from GER
tain quarters upon democratic adminis,ra-
tons in Texas, that we were the best gov
erned and least burdcned people of any o,
the States, and the record OF this last leg
islature OF ours and the facts and figures
and conclusions shown In the appropria-
lions are corrohoratlve Of Tho Posts POSI-
tion. True, there were omissions Of some
important legislation by the Twenty fifth
legislature, but nowhere In the world can
be found even an approximately perfect
legislative body. The simple matter is that
We are getting as full yalhe received In
Texas for the taxes paid as in any commu-
nifty in America or elsewhere.
And to the democratic party is all the
glory due.
VICTORIA AND THE JUBILEE.