The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-11-29

more criminals loose than are accor'ed Tue e
benefit Of so-oaled technicalities by the
higher courts.
T,be code OF criminal procedure is pretty
nearly ali right, but the law governing 'n ,
securing OF the attendance OF witnesses =
long ways from being the proper thlhs'
and the man who can show the way 70 IT'S
amendment so as to cut of one-laii gu
the present estravagant cost OF It's eh-
forcement and al the same tyne hasten
trials and preserve the rights OF both the
State and the defendant, has a chance to
secure an enduring reputation for States
mangadp as well as legal acumen'
~
One OF the first matters that Win ue-
mand the attention Of the next legislature
will be that of placing the agricultural ue-
partment in condition Of efficiency
Through lack Of knowledge Of their SUD
ject and want of unanimtty and clearness
OF purpose those who created this depart
ment turned it adrlft in such CONDITION.
that 1t soon became laughing SUCK. unV'l
the Twenty NTH Legislature was compeiieu
in self defense 10 refuse to Appropriate any
money for its maintenance. Now TINS oe-
partment should either be abolished OF
established on a business basis. Properly
conducted IL could be made TO serve many
a good purpose. AS 1t Is now 1t is little
more than a farce, and the dignity OF the
States service demands that something
sensible DO done about it.
Speaking of State departments, attention
has frequently been called in these DIS
patches to the necessity Of having STATE
auditing officer. The officials Of many
State institutions which produce revenue
need probing, and the accounts of depart
mental officers. some of wlom are not re-
quired to give bond, should be examined
at stated periods to guard against accident.
The State revenue agent could well be
charged with these duties, and ii is pos
sible that Governor-elect Sayers may take
this view Of the case and recommend that
this officers powers be so enlarged as 70
permit him to do the work referred to.
Sayers is well known to be man of detail
and the collection and economical eNpendi-
ture of revenue is one of his hobbies 1t
is therefore to be expected that much OF
his message will be taken up with recon-
mendations along the lines suggested
above.
Jihe Twenty fifth Legislature took a long
step in the direction of changing the law
regulating the taking OF the school census
for the better and the good effec. of the
amendments adopted at the suggestion OF
State Superintendent of Education Carlisle
should induce the incoming lawmakers 10
fellow him to tho full extent of his recon-
mendations and adopt his Wow that it $
not necessary to take Il census every year,
one every two years being, in his opinion.
sufficient to secure satisfactory enumera-
tion of the scholastic population,
Owing to a recent deciso on OF the dis
triot court of Travis county to the effect
that the board OF managers of the Confed-
crate home has no power TO eject or disci-
pine an inmate OF that institution for
reprehensbie conduct away from It's prem
ises, the next legislature viii be asked to
confer said power upon sad board, the al
legation being that without it much diff
Guilty is encountered in maintaining order
and preserving peace and quieuude in the
home.