The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-02-06
HOGG ADDRESSED ASSEMBLY.
Discussed Constitutional Anne ndme nts
Before Texas Legislators.


REPUBLIC SPECIAL
Austin. Tex. Feb. 5-Former Governor
James 5. Hogg this afternoon addressed the
Senate and House Committees on Consti-
tutional Amendments In the House chamber
on his proposed amendment to the Consti-
tuition Besides the members of the COM
mittees most of the members OF the House
ana senate and many private citizens and
ladies were present. He challenged any
man TO n joint discussion OF the propose ed
amendments over the State. and expressed
who attacked his principles where he could
not reply.
The proposed amendments involved three
First-There are $4,000 in railroad bonds
and stocks on the railroads Of Texas upon
MmSh the people must pay S.0V.0oo an
nuaily without consideration.
Second-That the railroads pay annually
A.ve1 for political purposes and TO main-
tain a lobby at Austin.
Inird-Ihat last year the railroads issued
262.eo passes. He proposes TO discuss from
the negative side each one OF these PROPOSE
ticEs.
He took up the objections to the amend
ment urged by the opposition before the
committee. His answers to them. in effect.
are:
First-The constitutional provision against
ex post facto laws does not apply. because
ex post facto laws apply TO crimes.
~ fseSonnnIhe con,r provision against impairment
amendment does not involve contracts.
Third-The amendment does not take
away property without due process OF law,
but provides distinct process of law.
Fourth-lt does not deprive corporations
OF .ne equal protection OF the law The
amendment is not intended TO take property
AT all. but proposes to correct the in
sclvency Of corporations.
Flfth-He denied that the amendment
CONNECTED with the bill of rights, and re-
marked that this was the first timeScor-
porations had pleaded this sacred declara-
ton OF principles
SiXth-Two tests of insolvency are pre-
a
gwine."
seventh-As to the objection that the
which is judicial function. the people
may change legislative judicial and execu-
tive powers at will.
Eighth-The amendment gives the corpo-
ration year in which to scale down fic-
tftious stocks ard bonds.
Ninth-As to the claim of discrimination
they were merely prohibited from owning
three times what they own.
Tenth-Tnis objection was that the
amendment was against public policy.
To this he desired TO address himself at
length: Was IL against public policy TO pro-
ha hibit fraud by individuals? He said there
railroads in Texas-the free period. the
fraud period and the fair period. He dis
ecrsed these al some length.
got from the State 1920 acres OF land for
every mile OF road built. This lasted un-
In III april. lss2 when the land gran, law was
got their princely domain and were bonded
TO and above their full value.
The fraud period followed During this
period stock jobbers. infiationists and con-
soiidationists appeared. They ran the roads
INTO diiapidation and forced them to reor-
ghrize. After squeezing out small creditors
they came out of receivership with stocks
and bones In many instances quadrupied.
These fraudulent practices continued until
1892. when the law making the issuance OF
hctiticus bonds and stocks a felony was
passed Then these nimble-hngered knights
OF fraud left Texas. He closed this with
a remuneration of the "Fish-Backed acci-
dents OF Nature" who had abused him for
taxing his stand In defense OF the honest
yeomanry of Texas
since the fair period began. Lo0o miles Ct
new roads have been built and a COM
parison OF conditions during this with these
Voting to State pride. In opposing free
asses. he said. IT was with "difidence that
20 imposing an assemblage," which caused
! laugh. ---