Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1913-05-29
A FEW REASONS WHY SENATE JOINT RES.
OLUTION IS SHOULD BE DEFEATED

several propositions in a single con.
stitutional amendment and by single
vote, and that such effort was made
by the ilustrious Governor Hogg,"
does not alter the fact that the voter
should not be forced to vote for some
thing he does not want, in order to
get something he does want. The ma
jority of the voters in the State are
doubtless in favor of anything that
will hasten the advent of good roads,
but on the other hand, this majority
would hesitate to vote for a PROPOSE
ton that would empower the Legisla.
ture to issue unlimited bonds, with
unlimited interest, for the purpose of
erecting buildings for the State insti-
tutions and improving the peniten-
tiary.
TIE trainers of the Constitution saw
fit to put limit to the debt that could
be created by the State, yet in these
proposed amendments no limit is set
to the amount of bonded Indebtedness
with which the Legislature is empow-
cred to burden the State, and no limit
is set to the rate of interest these
bonds shall bear. The penitentiary
system is now more than million
dollars in debt. The penitentiary sys-
TEN has between 5000 and 1000 men,
and 10000 to 10000 acres of land with
which to support and improve itself,
yet it seems unable to do it. There
must be reason. Is it because the
whole system is honey-combed with
extravaganza and inefficiency? Is it
because one or two sugar crops were
lost by freezes. unayoidably or through
carelessness? To an ordinary man, 1t
seems that an institution with 5000 or
1000 men, to whom nothing, to speak
of, had to be paid, and 10000 or 800
acres of land, ought to be self-support-
ing. And if it is not, it seems reason
able that the people of the State Of
Texas should be shown why, before
being asked to vote to empower the
Legislature to authorize the issuance
of unlimited bonds for the support of
such an institution.
Someone may say that the bonds is
sued for the improvement of the peni-
Tertiary system will be secured by a
lien on its real property. Granted;
but on the other hand, the State would
be forced to stand behind them, as it
could not afford to allow any bond
holder to foreclose on the peniten-
tiary real estate. So in order to get
some things they might want, the
voter is forced to vote for the issuance
of unlimited bonds, with unlimited in.
terest, for the construction OF build
ings for State institutions, and for the
improvement of the penitentiary.
The proposition to issue bonds for
the purpose of purchasing additional
ground and erect necessary buildings
for the University of Texas, including
medical department and an agricul-
tural and mechanical college. and all
departments and activities Of a COM
plete university of the first class,
seems right on it's face, but at the
present time it would be unwise to
adopt it, because it would lead to no
end of squabbling and chickering's be-
TWEEN the University and A. and NJ.
factions in the Legislature as to the
division OF the bonds. 1t would be bet
ter, by far, to wait until the two insti-
tutions are separated by a constitu-
tional amendment, dividing their as
sets, against which bonds could be is
sued without confusion or without any
squabbling or jealousy entering into it.
And whatever jealousy that might re-
main between the two institutions
would be as to achievement, and not