The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-01-21
. j 18TH LEGISLATURE
y -
GOVERNORS MESSAGE SENT
TO BOTH HOUSES YESTER-
DAY FORENOON.
INSURANCE COMPANIES LAMP0ONED
$THE YOUNG GOVERNOR GETS ON
TOP OF THEM WITH BOTH
FEET.
HE WANTS NO PREFERRED CREDITORS IN HIS.
b.
eY Nnts Everyone Treated Alike In the
III HBusiness World-Asks for the Pass
bE age of New Fellow Laborer's
Law-Proceeding of the
Legislature Yesterday
and Gleanings in
the Lobby.
HE WANTS NO PREFERRED CREDITORS IN HIS

both houses of the legislature yesterday
morning at few minutes before IL
o'clock, Private Secretary Mclean pre-
senting it to both houses. The reading
clerks of both the house and the senate
proceeded at once to the reading of the
message. 1t occupied something over an
hour in its reading, and the members OF
the two houses paid very little attention
to its reading. In the senate most of the
members were talking or reading papers,
and in the house similar proceeding was
in order. The reading clerks tioundered
through the message, however, after the
exercise of much vocal gymnastics and as
read in toto it is as follows:
Executive Office, Austin, January, a.. 81
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives-The constitution directs that at the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of each legislative session
4 De executive shall by message give to the
I/Hgislature information of the condition of
u fine state and shall recommend such legis-
!, lation as may be deemed expedient. In
SO far as it has been affected by the op-
\ eIations of the state government the past
\ two years the condition of the state eX-
hbits substantial and marked improve
IN CONDITION OF THE STATE.
Laws Enacted-The new laws have OPP
Grated successfully and beneticially;
Immigration has been encouraged
I, and the population has material
ly increased; while taxable values
have declined in the general ma
tional depression it has not been to such
extent as in other states; high character
as a field for the safe investment of
capital has been maintained and strength
ened; the laws have been enforced with
diligence and energy; the educational in
situations have prospered and enlarged;
all benevolent, charitable and penal insti-
buttons have grown in usefulness; public
expenditures have been greatly reduced;
every department of the government has
been conducted with ability and economy;
and with a moderate tax rate an efficient
government has been maintained and
previous indebtedness of $1,3O0,OOO in
general revenue and the school fund, due
to causes frequently stated, has been dis
charged, and cash payments resumed Ind
continued without interruption. Among
the laws enacted during the past two
years which have substantially benefited
the public, the statute of limitations was
made applicable to married women and
"a land titles quieted; contested elections
were regulated; the laws were revised and
FORM primary elections were legalized
and regulated; the colored people were
given control of their schools; ad velorem
taxation was equaliZed; railway land
titles were validated; connecting lines of
common carriers were made responsible
for freight losses; the Confederate Home
was made permanent state institution
/ supported by taxation; the strongest anti
49, ilst law in the Union was passed. the in
* tests of labor were guarded by an arbi-
y = ,ratOn act; and eXtrayagant and uncOn-
sciOnable fees of Office were largely re-
.duced. Though the act appears to need
amendment in order to be more efffecIu-
sally enforced, the protective features of
tbe fish and oyster law have proved ii
IS decided benefit along the entire coast.
z Oysters have been more abundant and
there have been more fish in the bays
since October LIST, when the reserved bays
were opened. than Mt any time for two
wears The act regulating the collection
of delinquent taxes, compelling unwilling
citizens to bear their just share of the
burden of government. has done much to-
ward correcting existing injustice. In
1891 the total state and school delinquent
fax collected was $29,415.27 while in 1895
and 1896. under this act it was S45, 433. %
and SIS. $780, As, respectively. The delin-
nucpt county taxes collected have lncreas-
cd in the same proportion. Time serving
complaints against tnlS law are nS"clcu
Inv the suggestion that experience demon
stratps that its penalties are necessary to
enforce collection and may be avoided by
prompt payment of taxes When it is
rocolIed that enough taxes are now delln-
nuent to defray the general expenses for
the year the good effect toward equaliz-
ing ae burdens Of taxation will be be proper [
iv7,npreciated. The change in the school
land law reducing the price of pasture
lands TO 81 per acre, leases to ) cents per
acre, and interest + at per toD cent ef tb rs
,lrosanf law. Previous to this pur-
chasers and lessees, of public lands
were FORGETTING i their o claims interest ana d
,,nnronadented numbers while since then
forfeitures and defaults have lessened
and both sales and leases o hays E sapa
Az SES95 the sale of school lands amount
INd to 209.94S acres and leases to =
N Te. 3O1 acres. For the year ending Au-
J gust l, 1896, Yith the new law III lorfe'