The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1921-07-21

Legislature on the largeness Of It's
appropriations during the regular
session, Governor Pat NJ. Nef, in his
message to the special session which
met here this morning, urged re
trenchment in public expeditures anc
the slashing Of appropriations to an
irreducible minimum.
Outstanding features Of mis- mes
sage that he practically commands
the Legislature TO hold down appro-
priations TO the veriest minimum and
bis broad statement that he would
not approve "any bill that comes u
my desk that has for It's purpose the
placing Of additional taxes against
property, enterprise or institutions
such as real estate, farm land or city
property, nor any tax burdened in
dus-ry now producing in part the
wealth of the country
Lets Down Other Bars.
fIe lets down the bars 20 the Leg
islature for any revenue-raising
measures, affecting any source Of in
come other than the above, saying:
I'm order that you may provide
free schools. and in order that you
may provide the revenue for every
dollar you appropriate, there is here
by sumitted TO you, for your legisla-
tive action. the entire field Of reve-
nue-getting by means of taxation
On the source Of this new revenue,
the Governor makes the suggestion
that "if, in the sound, collective
Judgment Of the Legislature, addi-
3 ssl 20 hn
worthy purposes, especially rural
education, it should be raised by tax
alton on pleasures and Injuries and
non-essentials of life, most of which
now are practically free from State
taxation"
Economy Is Theme.
OF course, the Governor submitted
the general appropriation bills, with
the demand that only the minimum
amount Of money be appropriated.
He speaks at considerable length on
the necessity for economy and of re-
ducing the number of State Offices.
He also submitted requests for re-
peal Of the suspended sentence law,
passage Of the amendment strength
ening the State prohibition law, pas
sage of an effective law for the re-
moval Of officers who wilfully and
eorruptly refuse to perform their Of
fetal duties in enforcement Of the
law" and redistricting Of the State
into senatorial and representative
districts.
On the matter of redistricting, the
Governor points out that "the Con-
stitution Of Texas provides that the
Legislature shall, after each United
States decennial census, apportion
the State into senatorial and repre-
sentative districts of contiguous ter
ritory, according to population.
Should Have Been Done.
Notwithstanding the Constitution
Of the State and the platform Of the
Democratic party demand that this
redistricting be done, il has been neg
lected by the Legislature" he adj
ded. 1T is a duty which the Legis-
lature should not omit. The State
long ago should have been redistrict-
/ ed. The wrong should now be right
ed. Not TO redistrict would be a
I thrust at the very foundation stone
Of representative government. In re-
districting the State. il should be
done with vision that looks above
and beyond personal political for.
tunes"
4 In one or two places the Governor
mildly sermonizes the Legislature
upon its having appropriated too
much money and plainly shows that
he has been displeased with former
action of that body. Near the con-
clusion Of the message, however. he
1 inserted a paragraph which absOlves
him from any effort at executive in
reference in Legislative matters.
Defines Their Duties.
''The thoughts herein set forth are
presented to you on their merit for
your wise counsel and Legislative
Judgment" he said. Their enact
ment into laws should not be further
urged from the executive Office. The
Constitution clearly defines the dut-
les of Governor and Legislature.
Neither is charged for a response
bility for the other"
Painting a dark picture OF finan-
cial depression and gloom, Governor
Neff, in an oratorical vein. gives a
final atmospheric touch TO the pic
t1tt " NtttaitIk thaAs
"We have no market for our cot
ton, no market for our stock. no
market for our farm productions. no
banks from which we can borrow
money and no money with which 90
pay our taxes. Farmers, stockmen.
merchants. bankers. all our people
alike. are hanging on the ragged edge
Of the financial world"
a. Turaias Point.
lie declares that things are ab-
normal aud that the world ls IA a
turning point IN civilization" These
thoughts prompt his declaration that
these times challenge each ~ us 20
seek and follow, hy the grace of Him
who rnleF eventually IN the leglsla.
tive halls ~ man. the |ght n right F"
I|ls plea for economy y summed
up hs hlm IN the aklomi a rich pso-
A.. H..