The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-12

said forty years ago about the constitu-
tion OF the United States ~ n related
70 slavery. but with less truth than the
came can be said OF the contract between
tho. saloon and the State. ut is a league
With death and covenant with beltn
fifth. Since tho law presunes that cf
every form Of trade or business, tia sas
loon alone VIII violato tho law, and puts
the saloon keeper under bond, as one In
whose case tho maxim OF the presump-
ton OF innocence Is reversed make any
violation OF law by him operate TO annul
his license.
Sixth, Put the same license on tho pri.
vato. social or fashionable club that Is
put on the saloon. The state should be
tair. She has no right TO tax the public
saloon keeper for the privilege OF selling
liquor, while she allows the bar up stairs
across the street TO rum free.
Seventh. SO franc tho law that " ans
citizen makes oath before magistrate
that he has reason to believe that a gam
Ing house Is being run In violation OF
law, such magistrate shall at once Issue
proper process to some peace officer TO
arrest the ylolator In either regard, and
u either OF the two officers named 9, a.
fail or refuse 10 perform his duty, then
remove such officer from office
Eighth. II gaming house be proved
10 have run 80 long rs live days In any
city or town make such fact priina faclc
evidence OF neglect OF duty on the ract
OF the sherin of said county, or marshal
or chief of police OF said city or town.
Ninth. Amend the law OF arrest 80 as
TO authorize and compel any officer TO ar
rest, without warrant or complaint, any
offender for any misdemeaaor committed
In his presence. 30 that he can not ex-
cuse failure to close a saloon unlnwiully
open or TO stop the running of gam
bling house on the ground OF no COM
plant having been made In legal form
Tenth. SO make the law tina, Ii amy
two or moro credible citizens shah mako
cath, before any district attorney or c1un-
~ attorney of the violation OF the condi-
lion OF his bond by any saloon keeper,
and such officer shsll fail to proceed
against such offender by suit on his bond.
then. upon tho fact being shown TO the
attorney general. he shall institute suit to
remove such district or county attorney
from Office; and IL the attorney general
shall not do tho duty cnioined upon him,
then provide for his removal from office
Eleventh. Pass q civil liability act
such as exists in many States, making
him who soils liquor whereby q man IS
made drunk. responsible In damages 10
any person injured BY such party so made
drunk, and liable also IN damages to the
family of the person who is made drunk.
Twelfth. Provide by constitutional
amendment, or II need be by new con-
stitutiCp, that no man shall vote IN IeNns
why hes not paid poll tax, and who has
mo-, II he be not native OF the United
States taken out his hnal papers of ciu-
zenship, and that no man shall vote,
whether native born or foreisn who can
not read the constitution OF Texas IN the
English language Such should be the
constitutional provision relating TO SUI
frage. without special reference to the
matter under discussion; as no man who
he ~
OF which he is citizen in the language
in which 1t is written, should be permit
ted to have voice in making the laws
OF the land or In choosing It's pubic ser
wants. Such provision might exclude
from the ballot some worthy citizen OF
could be easily made. 90 as not TO work
injustice. While In tho cities there are
thousands Of intelligent. law abiding eid-
Gems vet there are also thousands OF the
idle, ignorant and vicious who pay no
taxes and Will not pay poll TAX, nave
~iven no hostages to society for their
good conduct, who feel none Of the rospon-
sibiIities OF citizenship and whose votes
are purchasahle, and anv law or eonst-
tutional provision that puts one of these
ignorant corrupt and irresponsible mem
hers OF society upon par at the ballot
box with the honest toiler and respectable
and self-respecting citizen, Is an outrage
sentative government The sympathies of
such as these are always with the saloon
and gambling house, for they flourish
best in that atmosphere and find therein
their most congenial surroundings. Fell
low members. we must purify the source
of government II we expect this Repuh-
lie 10 endure. We might as well expect
pure water from poisoned fountains az TO
expect pure and honest ballot from de-
bauched and purchnsabe voters. The ball
lot should be elevated and digniaod and
be made premium for Intelligence and
good citizenship. and it should not be
placed in tho hands Of those who are
unwilling to pay the petty stipend OF
81 80 for the privilege of casting 1t and
who have no interest In elections save
the pecuniary profits of bribery aud cor
ruption which they bring them.
Thirteenth. Prohibit the sale OF nlco-
hoic liquors in Less quantities than a
quart, and forbid its being drank on the
premises where sold or any other prem
Uses where sale of liquors Is carried on,
and FIX a penalty alike on the seller and
drlnker who violate law.
You may say / have suggested extreme
remedies. ] answer, the case Is extreme,
and drastic remedies only win reach the
corrodlng and cancerous disease that is
eating Into the very vitals OF the body
social and polite.