The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-02
THE NEW MEMBERS.
An Explanation of the Purposes Of
shc Heccntiy Proposed Caucus.

| shc Neccntly Proposed Caucus.
To the Editor Of the Post
Hillsboro, Texas, December 3i-.In repl
10 the occasional criticisms against the pro
rosed oaucus OF new members. trust 70,
| Will allow me spacc in your columns Il
say. that In several instances the object
OF the many members who endorse the
caucus have been nisconstrucd We hav,
no purpose but the best interests OF tn,
| party. We know nothing of the past or
ganizations except from the statements o;
members and other parties In positions to
Know, taken In connection with the tour
nails Of the house in pas, legislatures
inese taken with long repeated charges o.
ring rule are sufficient to require that new
members take such part in the duties pre-
urinary 10 organization as Will enable
them 10 refute the charges and To say 10
their constituents, that We tool, part in the
orsani@aiion, that II was fair. liberal and
Tor the best interest of the PARTY. this much
Is our duty and We do not ask il as privi-
ltgc from any one.
ihcsc who have criticised the movement
nave taken umbrage at the assertion, that
important positions were not given 10 new
members and that old members were placed
IN control OF all important chairmanships
nave doubtless spoken their sincere con-
NictlCns measured by their observation
ana have stated that they have seen no evil
uth'e OF such plan. The organization Of
other houses show that IL did exist and
Ihat small proportion Of the membership
tue reelected members. have occupied pO-
s"ions lar greater than they We're en-
tlt!td 10 by their mere proportional rights,
The committees divided as to their i'm
portance would be about as follows:
MOST important Committees Judiciary
No l. judiciary No, > constitutional
amendments. state affairs. finance. cduca-
Iloh, revenue and taxation. public lands.
Puuiic heaith, commerce and manufactures.
county government and finances claims
ard accounts, public debt, state asyluns.
federal relations, county and county bound
aries town ard city corporation. rules and
contingent expenses
Least Important Committees Internal
privilege and elections. pub-
ne buildings and grounds, roads, bridges
,tu FERRIES agricultural affairs judicial /
ilstrlcls. insurance. statistics and history. 1
'tock and stock raising. penitentiaires mil |
airy AFFAIRS. mining and minerals. irriga-
ION labor examination OF controllers
ma treasurers. accounts. private land
'iaims, engrossed bills and enrolled bills
oh every one OF the committees classed
"uNe as most important, old members We're
.uIth legislature and while in number
hey were fraction over one-ouarter al,
nat hndy they were given over so nor
emf OF influential positions. the new mem
eIs p'lhS about 20 per cent of that body
we're gwen less than 20 per cent OF those
osi'ions. and they We're of the leas, i'm
o' '"Iiu character. In this the representa-
we rights OF new members were clrtail-
q - per cent and the representative priv
eSes OF the old members increased 100 usr
ent. -'N ~
In the Twenty third legislature the old
lembers comprised a little more than ono
uarter OF that Lody aud were made chair
,uu .. an OF the above list OF important
lmmlttoes except two, and in additinn
hereto were giyen nine OF The lcs~, IN,
ortaht ohairmanships thus placing In The
ahdS OF the old members more tha, =
er cent Of all the chairmanshps and thns
lew more than 20 per cent OF the men-
~ sup were given more than 10 per cent
'he influential positions according 10
YEN YEN an increased power Of $50 per cent.
me ~ per cent OF new members were In ,
az respect given about 80 per cent az
'sl''9hs anu they OF minor Importance.
nus decreasing their proper REPRESENTATIVE.
'wors 81 per cent.
Many other illustrations can be clt,l n ,,
10" that IN other respects an Increased
l"vI hHs nceh placed In the hands OF the
z
~ Tlshuul privileges OF new members
nose who have not noticed any dis.
lmlnat,on in this respect" are merely ,
tie short on observation.
ne proposed caucus OF new members
as not In the Interest Of any can6j1,to I
y AGAINST any one, it was simply 10 as I
.ua' ~ poF cent OF TeVas Democracy !
represented by new members. and 10 ?
sert that our constituents are orti,le5 c
mat proportion ~ representation in the
VI house. We believe 1t to be our rirb,
rNeIViae me full duty entrusted to ms
III SO dong We 10 not desire 10 tres Il
= gu 'hs tuil and fair duty OF any other &
"luer' H. there Is any good reason WHY
. nSS rnenlners OF the next house should q
teaehiatlNe duties to others, il IS high
l' TO iet us know It. II ii Is based ON
sWi"riorliy OF certain members fhen II
"iH ne revelation 10 20 per cant ~ g
democracy to know that they are rcn.
=, &hl.d by partially incompetent mon b.
~ "hu many Other conditions thar c,
snl M mentioned have been the fruit n
origin OF the charges against the 5er,, ~
w taIE OF RING rule and the day is Al
10 Nhen they should eNis. no r,orc cl
'o political party Was ever dcstrovri NV ic
,neihy' nut destruction has !nvsrIa,lv Ia
=, ,''vI rom us own improper policies IL
At polyy which is broadcast iairest and
,,o, ~ Us constituents with best per.
uHIe democratic principles ana success
u,n'ient endorsements nj the pronosad T
Gus nave already boon given "a insnre
y, U sI Assurances have be,n re-
yea from The Hon l.. T DRshie,l I'M, y, 4.
'"Ne pleasure in comforting with ne
Wy ana frankly and that he desires hi
ani harmonious organization IN ali N
"nloh ne Viii he welcomed heartily II,
''l''""''N' John u. Puts. -
- ~
Mills Al Running IN
o'mosnell. Texas, December sl-The "
mi''s at this place poucette. Rocklapa r.
haTham are all running on fun time W.
-.ro- 49,, ''' N'H4N' -