Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1921-06-03
JOHNSON BILL
WILL UNDERGO
CHANGE, SAYS
Just What Changes Will Be
Made Not Announced By
Representative


Johnson enforcement bill, part of
Governor Pat NJ. Neff's enforcement
program to be submitted to the legis-
lature at the special session in July,
probably will be changed from the
manner in which il wa sintroduced
at the regular session Of the thirty
seventh legislature, according to the
author Of the bill. Representative 4.
S. Johnson of Ellis county. Just
what changes will be made In the
measure have not been announced but
Representative Johnson said that he
would have a conference wi,l ,s,N-
ernor Neff before submission Of the
bill at the specia lsession. At this con-
ference it is understood that the
changes proposed by the author will
be thrashed out.
The three other measures included
in the governors program for law en-
forcement are the bill amending the
Dean prohibition law so that convic-
tions can be had on the unsupported
Testimony of the purchaser Of the
liquor: the outright repeal Of the sus-
pended sentence law, and bill amend.
ing certain alleged defects in the pres
ent statutory laws so that convictions
will be made more certain in various
eases.
The Johnson bill had rough shedding
at the regular session. Two deSper-
ate attempts Of the authors to have
IL brought up for consideration failed
by large majorities. The house re-
fused even to consider il during the
last days Of the session when repre-
sentatives were rushing bills through,
Governor Neff was a visitor on the
floor Of the house when the consider
alton Of the bin was rejected
The bill il strong in its provisions
and sets out clearly the power il in
tends to give the governor-that of
removing elective officers in Texas
While it only adds section TO the
chapter Of the general statutes on this
subject. this section is by far the most
drastic of the chapter
The attorney general shall on direc-
tion Of the governor bring quo war
ranto proceedings against any county
or state officer in Texas with the
view of removing him from office.
according TO the provision of the bill.
However, these proceedings are not
to be brought against the officer un-
til the attorney general has satisfied
hf aff huf
ceedings and the Officers removal ex-
lists. II is understood that the gov
ernor wants more power IN removing
officers who do not enforce the laws
of Texas strictly and that the attorney
general will direct his Investigations
toward this class of officers, in case
the bill is passed by the legislature.
The bill is primarily ltended TO give
shall be brought in the Travis county
court and that from the time the
suit is filed the Officers so charged
shall be suspended from office by the
district judge and shall not be rein
stated until he is cleared Of the
charges. During the time Of his sus-
pension he, shall receive the same
salary and fees Of his office and the
temporary officer appointed to fill
his place during the suspension shall
be paid out Of funds appropriated
by the legislature for such purposes
This appropriation viii be passed up
on later if the bill is passed.
Representative Johnson proposes 20
eliminate from the bill the provisions
giving the governor power u apply
he bill to Officers of TeXa sfor non
enforcement Of the laws punishable
by misdcmeanor fines. This elimin-
alton makes the law non-appIicable to
officers who allow Sunday baseball
and Sunday amusemcnts a. well n
sale Of soda and soft drinks on Sun
day.
TIE bill is primarily intended to give
the governor power To remove Off
GERS Of the state who wifully and
corruptly refuse to enforce the gen
eral laws Of the state relating to the
peaceful life of the citizens of Tex
as. II does NOT propose to give
the governor absolute power but
merely the right to investigate. look
ing toward remova lin case a cause
for such be found.