The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-05
HON.J.S. SHERIFF. TALKS
The Speaker Caught Of Homo by q Post
Correspondent.
he STANDS UP FOR THE TwENTy.s1rH
Thinks Correspondents Are Careless
and Reckless ms Critics--No opin-
Ion MS TO vetoed Rills.

Greenville Texas. April 4.--Hon J. $.
Sheriff.. speaker of the Twenty-sixth leg
islaturc, Is at homo for a few days rest
and recreation. having suffered a nervous
collapse from the grip. He expresses the
opinion that the legislature will adjourn
about the 18th or goth instant, and when
asked for his views on legislative matters
generally. and the Twenty sixth lcsisIa-
ture specifically. dictated the following;
THE general habit OF newspapers criti-
cising the legislature Is unjust and wholly
unoalled for. II tho members OF the leg
lslature are not the right kind OF men, the
people are to blame for 1t and the news
papers should seek to correct the evil In
some effective way by nrouslng different
sentiment in the minds OF the voters gem
orally as to the Importance OF sending
good men to the legislature. AS mat
ter OF fact, however, the criticism made ny
some papers of the present legislature
is wholly without foundation.
Take the present house OF representa-
tives and Il may be asserted without itav
OF contradiction that In no State In tho
union or another country, has there ever
been a body OF men assembled superior
ability and intelligence. All trades ana
professions are represented by st-clnss
men; men who have been successtui IN
their different pursuits, and they nave
carried into their legislative work eNpe-
rienee and talent which makes them most
efficient representatives.
rot course there are many conflicting
interests In n large state and 1t requires
time and labor to look after all these
diverse contentious. In large body OK
men work is necessarily slow, and people
so. tA.t IA, Ia
It should be borne in mind that we need
very little legislation and II Is sure that
enough will be done. All the talk about
the lobby and outside influence shaping
the course OF legislation is the veriest rot.
There is not n man in either branch OF inc
legislature that can be bought or lnhu-
enced in the least We may expect thht
in all matters OF general Importance men
will disagree, but tho people need nave
no fears about the result OF the work or
this legislature.
There has been a good deal said about
the senate passing some bills over the
governors veto, and various conjectures
INDUCED IN AS to the action OF the house,
but whatever may he the result IL Is sin-
ply difference OF opinion among meu
equally honest and competent The legis-
lature Is authorized by the constitution
TO pass laws and the governor has the
power to veto. An executive veto is no
rfUtCtlOn Whatever on Tue lcbistnNhAN, IVA
| is the action OF either branch insvoting TO
pass a bill over his veto any reelection
upon the governor II Is simply such a
condition contemplated by the constitution
aud all fair minded men Will accord 10
each branch OF the legislature and the.
governor perfect honesty and sincerity OF
! purpose. though there may be many sharp
differences of opinion.
IL am not OF that class who believe the
country is going to ruin every time a bad
| law is passed, II one should be passed. hor
| do think that there Is any necessity for
excitement over legislative matters, The
| three coordinate branches OF the govern
ment are a check upon each other and the
interests of the whole people will be pro-
| tected.
II want TO say again. that the personnel
of the present house and senate is q suf-
ncient answer to silly criticism 30 free
| quently INDUCED In by press corresponds
onts A stronger, more earnest, honest
| and conservative body OF men has never
assembled In the legislative halls OF this
nor any other state, When the work is
| completed the people will be estirely sat.
| istied.
what the house will do with the bills
which the governor has vetoed | do not
| think it proper that I should express an
opinion, but of one thing ! am certain.
what Is done will be the result OF calm
and deliberate judgment, uniu1uenced by
passion or prejudice and guided solely by
a patriotic desire to do whatever duty
demands"
This Is the first interview given out b.
Speaker Sheriff. since his election TO that
exalted position, and The Post correspond
ent feels just bit favored Incidental 10
tho interview the speaker said there was
! little talk in Austn relative TO the vetoes.
and during tho day he remarked 10 friends
that the house had not in the past twenty
years failed to sustain veto by the gov
ernor.
Tho speater received telegram during
the day announcing the election OF Hon
!, r. II. Prince as speaker pro tenn and ap'
peared much pleased He will return e
:, Austin or Wednesday, or possibly not I'M
Ill day or two later. HIS going depend ne
upon his physical condition, which is on
OF fatigue.