The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-11-04
IVA the Edltnr 81 The post.

10 the Editor OF The Pest.
In his call for the late republican State
convention Chairman E. II. r. Green de-
clared that republican victory in Texas
would increase our population and bring
outside capital to the State. OF course,
we all know the republican party in Texas
is peIpetuated solely for the purpose Of
apprepriating and distributing Federal
patronage in the event of the election OF
republican presidents and does not COM
prehend the welfare OF the people in the
scheme of its existence. Mr.. Green
charges, in effect, that the past and pres
ent policy OF the democratic party of
Texas retards the progress OF the State
and that a republican victory alone can
bring the greatest measure OF prosperity
AS this charge is also made in certain
quarters by a class who do not affiliate
openly with the republicans, but who are
opposed TO the policy OF the democratic
party as 1t is expressed in the laws "
this State, for the purposes of this dis
cussion / will treat Mr. Green's conten-
ton as II 1t We're made in candor and Sc
riously intended.
! shall undertake to briefly review the
work of the democratic party in Texas
during the thirty years OF unchallengod
supremacy. dealing especially with ,ne
policy of the party during the past ten
years, the policy which would be re-
yersed were Mr.. Green and his sympa-
thlzers permitted TO realize their repuh-
lican victory. / shall undertake to tell
what that policy has been, what has been
accomplished by and under its operation.
and the logical results OF Its reversal.
EARLY ADMINISTRATION
During the administrations of these
great representative democrats, Coke,
Roberts, Ireland and Ross, the democratic
party was perfecting a magnificent sys-
tenn OF free schools, founding universities
and colleges. building asylums and estab-
fishing all the State institutions necessary
to the intelligent administration Of the
affairs OF government. It's democratic
legislatures were perfecting a system OF
civil and criminal laws equal in efficiency,
wisd m and Justice to that of any other
country. Toe affairs OF the State were az
all times honestly. ably and economically
administered. Under the fostering care
OF the democratic party the permanent
school fund Of Texas has 10 its credit over
$1,000 600 in cash, SS,100,000 in bonds, to-
getnef with over 10000 900 acres OF land
and the apportionment for the free schools
for the next year Of $4.75 per capita will
no doubt meet the constitutional demand
FOR Il six month term. And all the mar
veious achievements wrought under these
administrations were accomplished with
continually decreasing tax rate and
without a SINCE scandal.
The plldcy OF tie democratic party, as
1t has found expression in the laws enact
ed by democratic legislatures during the
past ten years, has not been inimicai to
honest investments. True, the dem .cracy
OF Texas has never invited predatory
wealth TO come in and prey upon the IN
dustry OF the peope. but II has ever wei
coined tina. class Of capital which was
seeking safe and an honest investment
Organized wealtl has ever been a ire.
mendous power for good or evil. and IT
has been the policy OF the democratic
party to prevent this class of property
from gaining an unjust advantage over
It's citizenship; that It should be made ia
give TO the State and to the individual q
fair return for that which the State and
the citizen gave TO II. With this purpose
tie democratic party OF Texas has kept a
jealous eye upon the rights of the people
mas restrained the ENHANCEMENT OF cor
porate wealth in all its forms OF organized
monopoly, at she same time encouraging
every just protection. II was in pursu-
ance of this policy that the railroad com.
mission was created and It's constitution
aty established. This commission hal
now been In successful operation for ter
years and there is little opposition to Il
other than that prompted by ignorance OF
selfish interest. Its work has been mos
enectlye as well as Just 10 the people and
y the railroads, It's membership has
been composed OF honest and competent
men. who have been faithful TO the trusts
given them Prior to the creation OF thC
Commission freight rates were fixed by
triffle assoc alton representing the rail
roads exclusively. TIE interests of tn,
producer and shipper were not considered
The tzris was limited only by the amoun
the .Falitc would bear. The railroads on
pTcsset rae people with exorbitant frelgh
rates The development Of the State wal
reis sde5. Favored commercial center-
we're bait up. 81 special faYors and dis
Grim nations. a. the expense OF smale
Communities All this has been changed
Under the commission exorbltant rate.
and unjust determinations belong TO tn,
past. The people are not hampered 1,
the disposition Of their products. manu-
featuring Is encouraged and the people ar,
protected In the enjoyment OF a more rea
sonab,e ire ght rate The change in rail
raSn management made necessary by tn
commission has resulted In untold beue
MS 70 the railroads. The efficiency of tn,
"a ,cads has been increased Tonnage
las heen stimulated yexatious and ax
penIiye. strikes are less frequent. The
roads have been relieved OF the necessit,
Tor a division with outside roads Of ,thei
earnings n an Increased traffic. The rail-
roads OF Texas in reality, are enjoying
season OF wonderful prosperity in the fac
o. reduced rates Upon the authority 0
cue u the present commissioners the as
sesi4on Is made that the present annua
savine on freight rates alone as resul
OF the operation OF the commission
fully S2000,o00 to the people OF Texas. T
prove that this Is not an unreasonable es
Innate will quote few comparatlv
rates on dtffe emit commodities from yari
nus points. giy ng the rate prior to IN
ccmm,syion and the present. rate. Thes
dgures are officisl and investigation WI
prove their accuracy: The prior-commis
sion rite on colt o from G-eenville (
Galveston was 70 cents per 100 The rat