The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-09-15
MUCH TIME BEING LOST.
The House is DilIy-DalIylng with the
Appropriation Bill.
FOUR DAYS WORK OUT OF TEN
For Which They Were Paid; Many
DAYS VIII Be REQUIRED to Get the
Bill Through.
nY g. ARTHUR w1LLrAMsl

Austin. Texas, September 14.-(Stan Spe-
cial)--with the Legislature apparently I'M
proving every opportunity TO escape actual
work there Is room for a considerable
amount OF doubt as to when the general APP
propriation bill will be finally disposed OF.
Including today, ten days OF the second
called. session have elapsed. The ieglsa-
ture-that Is the house--has been in actual
session and has transacted business on but
ave of those days The senate did all that
could be done at this time early in the
week and there was nothing else left for 1t
TO do but adjourn. But in the house DIFF
ferent condition OF affairs prevailed On
the first day of the new session, week
ago last Thursday, the lower body I'D prac-
ticslly nothing beyond adiourning tc the
following Monday, a period OF three days,
thus giving every one an opportunity to 90
home and look after personal interests. This
vacation was taken, II was said, In order
TO allow the finance committee time In
which to go over the appropriation bill once
more and have the document printed The
finance committee had already been given
something like FIVE weeks in which TO go
over" the bill and those who are IN posi-,
tlon to know see no reason why the bill
should not have been ready to be again
placed before the house within week or
ten days after it was recommitted.
However, the bill was not ready imme-
diateiy and as before stated, the house on
g week ago last Thursday adjourned TO the
following Monday. Not content with their
three days holiday, during all of which
time they were drawing S. per day from
the state, a large number OF legislators
failed 10 naterlalize on Monday morning as
3 result OF which there was no quorum.
The house therefore actually worked only
four days OF the week which Is now closed,
adjournment having been had this morning
In respect 70 the memory OF President Nc
Kinley.
The expenses of the legislature for per
diem OF members, officers and clerks, are
about sl6n0 each day. Thus it viii be
seen that aside from the contingent ex
penses of the two houses which are larger
than those of any other legislature for a
corresponding period, the present session
has so far cost the State S16,OO0. The PEG
pie must decide for themselves whether or
not they have been given value received in
ahe premises Ip to d0te the house, acting
as committee Of the whole, has considered
the appropriations for thirteen OF the State
departments and institutions. There are
forty OF these departments in the bill. I'm
less one takes into account the amount Of
energy that has been expended In discus
sion the work done has been by no means
commensurate with the time consumed.
It must not be understood that the APP
parent desire to proceed, or fail to proceed,
without reference 10 the rights and desires
Of the people is altogether general In the
house There are in that body men whose
actions show plainly that they have the best
interests Of the State at heart and that they
are anxious to finish the work given then
by the governor and adjourn in order thai
the heavy expenses of the legislature may
be spared the taxpayers. These men arr
conscientious aud they would do the worl
of the State with the same zeal and tn
Same regard for all the conventions as the,
would show for their individual interests
But, unfortunately for this great State o
Texas, these men are in the minority. Thos
who are opposed TO them are of seyera
classes. Among them there is the dema
gogue whose sophstry Is generally onil
exceeded by his desire to acquire what L
known as political thunder for himself
there Is the man who constitutes himscl
mentor for the enUlre legislature and al
branches of the State government, for tina
matter, and who may constantly be heHrt
giving loud voice to his opinion as to wha
rhis or that man or institution should o
should not do, there Is the man whose lie
sire TO hear his own voice Is subordiuat
to nothing and who is constantly endeavor
ing TO speak on all questions, no matte
whether or not ne is Informed conceruini
the matter at issue; there is the 'iuvestl
gator" who never allows a chance to lin
vestigate" some one or some thing escap
him; and, finally, there is the man who al
most habitually absents himself from tn
sessions OF the house. taking good care 4
be excused so that his per diem may con
tinue, and who would really be conferrn
great favor on every one concerned b.
staying away were II not for the fact tina
he is such an expensive luxury, costing &