Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-12-27
THE BRYAN DAILY EAGLE

of the platform demands and party
pledges.
Probably the two most important
propositions OF general nature to
come up for consideration will be sub
mission Of proposed amendments to
the constitution providing for state
wide prohibition and woman suffrage.
The people have voted in favor Of
submission and 1t Is said there is no
way the lawmakers can escape dis
cussing It. Since two-thirds vote Is
necessary in each house 1t cannot be
stated whether resolution providing
for submission of prohibition will be
adopted. The prohibitionists claim
they have the necessary two-thirds
while the anti-prohibitionist insist
the "drys' will fall few votes short
in the senate.
That the suffrage amendment to the
constitution will be presented is con.
sidered certain by woman suffrage
leaders In the state. Whether the
amendment will be adopted, however,
is problematical political leaders say.
The Democratic platform is silent on
both prohibition and suffrage.
As to the Robertson insurance law,
which was an important issue in the
last legislature and which the people
voted to retian in the July primary,
leaders predict that an effort will be
made to change 1t. They express
doubt, however, as to the success Of
such efforts.
Judicial reform is another impor.
tant subject to be considered by the
legislative body. The Texas Law AS
ISOLATION plans to prevent a bill hav.
ing for its object a complete change
In the judicial system of the state. II
is said this bill would have the effect
Of increasing the number OF judges on
the supreme bench to fifteen. This
will, 1t is said, also would change in
many respects the system of the ap.
pellate courts.
Representative Newton B. Williams
Of McLennan county, with a view to
relieving congestion in the supreme
court, will introduce bill giving final
jurisdiction to the courts OF civil ap.
peals in all litigation involving $lO..
900 for less. Efforts will also be
made, 1t is said. to create additional
courts Of civil appeals. There are at
present nine such courts In Texas.
Following the platform pledges and
demands, Governor Ferguson, 1t is
understood, likely will recommend to
the legislature an appropriation Of 2
million dollars to be expended at the
rate Of | million dollars a year in the
aid OF rural schools.
The l million dollars appropriated
by the last legislature has resulted in
over two thousand schools being given
aid.
The governor has indicated he will
follow the platform demands, which is
taken to mean he will recommend an
appropriation to increase the state
ranger force to its maximum OF eighty
men.
Senator Claude Hudspeth OF III
Paso has announced he will introduce
bill on the ranger subject.
Creation of state highway COM
mission is another proposition which
is expected to be recommended to the
legislature. Friends Of the governor
say he has decided to submit this
proposition.
A measure advocated by the Uni.
versity OF Texas is to be introduced
authorizing the board OF that instltu.
ton to issue approximately million
dollars In bonds and pledge the uni.
versity lands to secure the bonds.
This sum is said to be needed to carry
out the plans OF the board OF regents
TO construct n number OF new and
modern buildings to replace some now
located on the campus and which are
considered inadequate.
Just what attitude Governor Fergu.
son will take toward this proposal has
not been indicated.
Another measure which Is expected
to create considerable interest Is n
bill now being prepared by c. w.
Woodman, state labor commissioner,
providing for civil service for all state
employees. A bill along similar lines
was introduced In n former legisla.
turc, but was defeated.
Several labor measures will be In.
troduced, including an extension OF
the scope Of the eighthour law. enact.
mcnt OF minimum wage law for fe.
male employees and amendments to
the workmen's compensation law. A
| bill on the latter subject has already
been prepared which Is said to have
the approval OF the state Industrial