The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-26
CHARLES A. CULBERSON.
The Record OF His Two Administra-
tions as Governor.

The Record Of His Two Administra
tions ms Governor.
l. In his opening speech at Gc'ind, Sep
tember 90 1894, he declared for the fro
and unlimited coinage OF both gold and sill
yer at the legal ratio of is TO l. although
|, the platform was silent on the ratio. HI
eromies charge that this helped TO put Tex
as in the silver column in 1895.
q Among laws Of general excellence en-
acted by the Twentyfourth legislature
which require no detailed statement, Ii
that making The statute OF limitations APP
ply to married women. which Will culei
land titles; the law regulating contested
elections and primary elections; the revi-
sion of the civil and penal codes; uniform
occupation tax law; fish and oyster law;
levying taxes ON National bank and treas
ury notes and gross receipts OF express
I tompaties; giving the coiored people the
I control OF their schools: validating rail-
way land titles in the hands OF actual set
! tiers and bona fide pnrcha ers, and making
| all connecting lines of railway responsible
| for loss or damage TO freight
3. The Confederate Home was put on q
| permanent and safe basis, to be supported
/ by appropriations out of the general reye-
| nue. and not left to be supported by un-
certain fees paid the secretary Of state. as
! formerly, and the number of former Con-
federate soldiers cared for was greatly in
| creased,
| 4. The antitrust law was broadened and
strengthened so as to bring within its ope-
ration the cotton seed, insurance and other
unlawful combinations.
5. Fees of Office paid by the State In
felony cases were reduced S1SS,000 an
nualy.
g. In the interest OF labor general arpi-
tration in their labels. trademarks. de-
protected in their labels. trademarks, de-
signs and forms Of advertising, and where
personal injuries are received by working
men, not resulting in DEATH the right to
damages was made to survive to their
wives and children. and is not lost as for
merly.
I. a delinquent tax law was passed, in
tended to make all persons pay their taxes,
thus lessening the burden OF those who
promptly pay, and has operated most beneh-
c.elly.
S. Several laws were passed looking 10
tho investment of foreign capital and de-
Yelcpment Of our natural resources. such
as those pertaining TO Insurance. mining
deep water channels on the coast, drain
age and irrigation.
.. There was conspicuous improvement
In the land laws, as shown in the marked
IuSiedSt Vi SdleS anu leases OF puDllc JANUS.
10. Prize lighting was cffectually sup
pressed and the good name OF the State
preserved.
IL. The railroad commission, by reduce
tion of freight rates. saved to the people at
least s20o0,0O0 for the two years.
H. The charitable and penal institutions |
were conducted with signal success With
much smaller appropriations, decidedly |
more people were cared for in the orphans |
hn ~ nd
Gumb and blind institutions Notwithstand-
ing an increase in the number of convcts,
expenditures Of the penitentiaries were re-
duced. The appropriation out of the gen
erai revenue for penitentiaries was not
used and there was large cash balance
en- hand at the end of the term, showing
that the system was more than self-sus-
tanning.
ID. The cause OF education was greatly
advanced. Larger appropriations were
made for the Agricultural and Mechanical
college and the University than previous
~, and the attendance of students was
and increased. deficit in
the public free school fund, amounting to
S547 90 was discharged, and the schools
put and are still conducted on cash basis.
notwithstanding this deficiency, and The
tact that the number of pupil, increased
rom Bs3752 in 1894 to us. 664 in 1896. the
annual per capita superintendent was in
creased from $3.50 to 81 90, and the school
-erm from four and one-half to five ard
,ne- half months.
H. Extraordinary reductions were made
n general appropriations and expenses.
amounting to 1854 291 for he two years.
There was a deficit of s7SS.0OO in general ,
revenue and no funds to that account in /,
he treasury. This was paid off. and the
reasury put on a cash basis. which has
been continued. Notwithstanding The pay {
nent of this heavy deficieny in the school Q
und and general revenue, aggro.ating
j ,S35 $50 the rate of State taxation in Tex !
IS OF 3S cents on the 500 for all purposes
S lower than any. State IL the Union. ex-
ept Indiana, Ohio and Minnesota
SECOND TERM.
i. At the outset 1t is an extraordinary ',
act, without parallel in the history of poll | /
iical parties. that every platform demand t
ave one was enacted into law.
?. Among measures of public benefit :
assed by the Twenty fifth legislature. not !,
equiring extended notice is that making G
'oNision for the acquisition OF the battle q
round OF San Jacinto, as commemorative al
hp 1pr ~ ,t.,