Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-02-04

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Texas has O constitution. It was drafted and ad-
opted by the people 50 years ago. It contains
q provision making 10 the duty Of the governor ut
the beginning Of each session to address the legis-
lature On the condition Of the state and ecommen
such measures as he may deem expedient.
Gov. Moody is q stickler for constitutional OBJ
servance. he runs true to form. His message to the
fourth special session Of the 4Ist legislature Is a COM
prehensive report Of the condition Of the state and q
story Of achievements Of the 10th and 4lst legisla-
lures.
He has been In office three years. he has faced
special sessions Of the lawmakers and his story Of the
achievements Of the 10th and 4lst is a very glowing
tale. FOR the most part. Of constructive statesman
ship and constructive achievement, or legislative ac-
compiishments.
It Is q record Of enactments In the field OF educa-
tional and highway legislation that is most enviable
and reflects credit OF the highest order on the Moody
administration Now the governor is again facing
the lawmakers and Is hopeful that the people win
be given a prison system of modern make and that
the antiquated system Of 81 years will be thrown
- VAC 0ASSdLQ WITHOUT Delay.
For years and years the system has been the shame
OF the state. For years and years 1t has been a very
costly experiment. For years and years the tax money
OF the people has been incinerated in futile attsr,nts
TO wipe out the old and bring In a new system az
penology. based upon the experience Of the wisest Of
penologists and wardens Of prisons In this and all
other American states.
IN MS message the governor gives credit as well as
praise to the lawmakers who have been under the
big dome since the Moody administration was ushered
In for the splendid accomplishments which have
made the highway system one Of the first In America
and placed the educational system on a high plane
in order that all the children Of all the people in the
rural districts OF the commonwealth as well as in the
urban centers shall be given developed brains and
trained hands.
His recommendation are before the lawmakers
OF Texas. Speaking Of the crying demand as well
as an imperative necessity or need Of the hour, the
governor closed his prison location recommendation
with the following conservative advice:
The most progressive and constructive step taken
by the 4lst legislature. in my Judgment. was the pass
age OF the law providing for the prison centraliza-
ton commission to investigate and make recon-
mendations concerning prison reform in Texas, pro-
viding the work Of the commission is followed by con-
structive dealing with the prison problem on the part
OF the legislature. Another worthy step was the crea-
tol u Tic ulIILitt 10 report on the operation OF
the fee system in Texas. 1t is to be hoped that the
work Of this commission and this committee are the
initial steps toward two great reforms. These are
the principal subjects that prompt the call OF this
session and specific reference will be made to the
subjects Of both reports"
Now the taxpayers OF Texas are not interested at
the present time In the rivalries, the jealousies. the
hatreds or the animoSities or personal program OF
politicians who are seekers for major or minor places
In the campaigns to come early in the year. They
are interested in the building Of a modern prison sys-
tenn and modern methods in the handling OF the prs-
oners of the commonwealth
They are interested In an economic administration
Of this prison department OF the government. They
are weary OF prison scandals. prison escapes. prison
tiquated system and its archaic methods Of handling
the wards Of society who are called upon to pay the
penalty for law extraction or violation.
AS for the fee system and the evils which go with
IL, 1t is iniquitous and should be eradcated root and
branch. Charles A. Culberson. in his first message
to a Texas legislature. called for reformation Of the
fee system This was in the long ago. Well, the fee
system Is in existence today.
Where should the responsibility be placed.
On the lawmakers who have appeared and then
disappeared since Culberson called for a reform which
would keep millions OF dollars In the pockets Of the
people. Charles A. Culberson is In his grave. Is the
fee system in It's grave? There are wise men, close
observers, who say that It Is alive and kicking and
as greedy as ever.