El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-08-18
DEFENDS VETOOF
BILL
Governor Tells House Ap-
preparation Was Extrava-
CANT, Unwarranted.

=
Austin. Texas, Aug. 1S.-Governor
James E. Ferguson, on the stand in
his own behalf in the house investiga-
ton Of charges made by speaker Full
Ter. devoted most OF his testimony this
morning to defending his action in
vetoinE the University Of Texas ap-
preparation.
When the investigation was re-
sumed, with the governor on the
stand Ferguson's attorney read to
him the sixth charge, wnicA refers 10
the G.. W Woodman matter
The governor tesutieu that he had
nothing TO do with WOOdman remain
ing in office after the senate had con-
firmed Frank Swor. He said he made
inquiry and learned that there were
some matters OF policy which Wood
man wished TO clear up before going
out Of office and that this was agree
able 10 Swor and that SwOr would
soon qualify.
Quotes CuIberson's Veto Message.
Mr.. Hanger then read the seventh
charge. which is that the governors
action in yetoing the university APP
preparation was unconstitutional The
governor read from veto message by
governor CulbersOn. which referred 10
LLES~aEe ~ governor AENaEa U.s. 10
show that these two men We're OF the
opinion that the university was sup
posed 20 be supported by its available
funds and not by legislative appropri-
alton.
Unfortunate, says Governor.
The governor also read from the
constitution in support OF this couteu-
ton. He said that "it is particularly
unfortunate at this rime for the uni
versity 10 be using that argument
against me. because il may finally
strike down the UNIVERSITY
The governor went briefly over the
ground covered IN his veto message
and again assigned the reasons there
assigned Tor the veto ne said that
10 was iucouceivabe TO him that 1000
students could have marcf.d away
from the university with a band play
ing and banners flying without tho
faculty knowing IL or missing the
students
says II Is E1travuEant.
Supporting the proposition that the
appropriation was eNtravaEaut. he
read extensively from the record.
making calculations and divisions 10
show that there is one salaried en-
ploFe for every eight students and
that the average salary is Sl55S per
anuum- He showed that the average
legislative appropriation for each year
for the university for SO years was
Sl55.a55. and that the appropriation
vetoed was SIs2Q0.00O for two years
He promised, however. that If the
same bill, OF substantially the same
dill is passed by the house by two
thirds majority, he will let 10 become
a law without his signature. but he
said he still thinks IL - eNtravagant
and Unwarranted.
Quotes From College Paper.
In support Of his contention that
the university was becoming bigger
than the people Of Texas" Ferguson
read from the Daily Texan. a student
publication, The governor is trans
cendlnE his powers in inquiring
into university affairs and he then
read from the constitution that he has
a right TO require statements in writ
llg from any state Institution and
that the person making them can be
prosecuted u they are not correct. He
also read from the Daily Texan about
several persons IN the university
neighborhood voting for a negro ex-
press wagon driver for governor and
scratching the name OF Ferguson at
the November election
Refers 10 Ellis Case.
w lln reference 20 his charges against
Dr. A. CasWeu Ellis, the governor read
INTO the record statement from the
business manager Of the san Antonio
school board, showing that Dr. Ellis
mad been paid Sll93 for work for the
school board there while being paid
so-2g year and travelling expenses
by the university.
When adjournment was taken the
governor was still discussing uuiver-
Sity matters
Ferguson Begins Testimony Friday.
Taking the stand Friday afternoon
IN his own defence. governor James
T. T. erEuson denied he had in effect
or intent been guilty OF five OF the
IL allegations against him His tes-
tlmony on the remaining charges was
cut short by a decision Of the house
committee Of the whole hearing the
proceedings, TO recess.
Governor Ferguson. answering On
The stand charges that he failed 10
refund money appropriated for eNecu-
i've mansion expenses spending 10
LOT groceries. automobile accessories
etc. not permissible by law. replied
he had taken up all deficiency wa--
rants and was ready 70 take up all
presented
The charge that he had received
more than 100000 OF a building fund
from his predecessor and had placed
%. while drawing interest in a bank
in which he was a stakeholder. was
explained as a move for convenience
only
Claims Clerical Error.
The charge that money from the
governors fund in a Temple bank had
been used to pay a personal obliga-
ton was met by the governors tes-
umony that he knew nothing OF 10
until informed by a grand jury. The
SHIFT Of the money was charged TO
clerical error by the witness.
Governor Ferguson denied he had
prCfited as a stockholder Of a Temple
bank which served as a depository
or state funds, as the money had TO
be paid back TO the state quarterly.
The allegation that the executive
violated the state laws in borrowinc
from a Temple bank. funds in excess
Of 80 percent Of its capital and SUI
plus, brought forth the testimony that
il was true his total obligations at
the start OF the year. including that
OF his wife and a ranch, tOtaled more
than $4,000
Votes Arc Arranged.
His wife's note was paid. he said.