The Matagorda County Tribune (Bay City, Tex.), Vol. 89, No. 4, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 9, 1934 Page: 3 of 8
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THE MATAGORDA COUNTY TRIBUNE, THURSDAY, AUGUST 9. 1934
Constitutional Amendments To Be Voted Upon At The General Election Simmons Explains
Which Will Be Held On Tuesday, Nov. 6,1934
Escapes Of Men
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14
Section. Section 61, which shall read
as follows:
Be it resolved by the Legislature of
the State of Texas:
Section 1. That there be added to
Article IX of the Constitution of the
"Section 61. All district officers in
the State and all county officers in
counties having a population of twen-
State of Texas a new section to be
numbered Section 2-A and to have federal census,
ty thousand (20,000,) or more, ac-
cording to the then last preceding
shall hereafter be
ral
ar-
set.
ith
ild
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five (5) lettered subdivisions and
which section shall read as follows:
"Section 2-A.
“(a) General management and con-
trol of the affairs of the County shall
hereafter be vested in the Commis-
sioners Court, provided that in the
i exercise of powers not specifically
5 granted to the Commissioners Court
by the Constitution and Amendments
thereto, the Court shall be subject to
t the authority of the Legislature of the
BE State, and the Court shall also be
subject to all general laws of the
State now in force not in conflict
with the provisions of this Amend-
ment until such laws are modified or
repealed.
“(b) All duties heretofore perform-
ed by the Clerk of the District Court
and the County Clerk shall hereafter
be performed by an officer to
known as Record Clerk; all du-
ties heretofore performed by the
County Tax Assessor and the Coun-
ty Tax Collector shall hereafter be
performed by one officer known as
Tax Clerk; and in the coun-
ties where the sheriff performs the
duties of the Tax Collector he may
hereafter perform the duties of the
Tax Clerk. The Record Clerk and the
Tax Clerk shall be elected to hold of-
’ fic efor a term of two (2) years and
until their successors shall be elect-
ed and qualified. Tlie Commissioners
Court shall have authority to com-
bine the office of County Treasurer
and the office of County Surveyor,
or to combine either, or both, of said
offices with any county office. With-
in the maximum and minimum limits
prescribed by the Legislature the
Commissioners Court shall have au-
. thority to fix the compensation of all
county and precinct officers except
Tl County Auditor, County Judge and
1 i County Commissioners. The Legisla-
ture shall fix the compensation of
District Judges, District Attorneys,
* County Judges and the County Com-
y missioners and may provide for a
) County Auditor and prescribe his du-
" ties and fix his compensation and the
number and compensation of his as-
sistants. The Commissioners Court
shall fix the compensation of and de-
termine the number of deputies as-
sistants and clerical personnel of all
precinct officers and county officers
except the county auditor.
“(c) City and county officers and
employees may, in addition to their
duties as such city and county officers
or employees, be required to perform
such other similar duties for cities,
towns and districts within the county,
or for the county, as may be mutually
agreed upon and contracted for be-
tween the Commissioners Court of
said county and the governing board,
or boards, of such cities, towns and
districts; and the cost of such serv-
ice shall be provided for in said con-
tracts and paid by such county, cities,
towns or districts into the Treasury of
the county or city, town or district, as
provided for in said contract. All
such contracts shall be approved by
the Attorney General of this State
and such contracts shall not cover a
L period longer than two (2) years.
"(d) The Legislature shall have au-
y thority, by general law, to provide for
complete forms of county government
and organizations different from that
provided for in this Constitution to
become effective in any county when
submitted in such manner as may be
prescribed by the Legislature to the
qualified voters of such county in an
election held for such purpose and ap-
proved by a majority of the qualified
I voters voting in said election. Pro-
vided, however, that no such law shall
impair the power of the Commission-
ers Court to determine the compansa-
tion of county and precinct officers
other than the County Auditor, to fix
the number of assistants, deputies and
clerical personnel which said officers
may employ; nor shall such general
law change the present constitutional
limitations as to particular and total
tax levies for any or all county pur-
poses; nor shall such general law
I change the present constitutional lim-
itations on counties to incur public
I debts.
I “|e) In any and all cases where pro-
i visions of the Constitution of this
A State are in conflict with the pro-
visions of this Amendment, the provis-
ion of this Amendment (Section 2-A,
A Article IX) shall control; provided,
however, should any county adopt a
Home Rule Charter under authority
1 of any provisions of the State Consti-
■ tution or Amendment thereto, this
I Amendment shall not be applicable
I to such county.”
I Sec. 2. The foregoing Constitution-
I al Amendment shall be submitted to
I the electors of this State, qualified
I to vote on Constitutional Amendments.
■ at an election to be held throughout
I the State on the first Tuesday after
I the first Monday in November A. D.
1 1934, at which election each ballot
I shall have printed thereon the words:
I “For the Amendment of Article IX
■ of the State Constitution by adding
I Section 2-A thereto, giving the Com-
I missioners Court general management
I and control of county affairs, and au-
1 thorizing the Legislature to provide
■ more economical forms of county
I government and different than as now
I provided by law.”
I “Against the Amendment of Article
I IX of the State Constitution by add-
1 ing Section 2-A thereto, giving the
I Commissioners Court general man-
I agement and control of county af-
I fairs, and authorizing the Legislature
■ to provide more economical forms of
A county government, and different
than as now provided by law.”
Each voter shall scratch out with
a pen or pencil the clause which he
A desires to vote against so as to indi-
■ A cate whether he is voting for or
• against said proposed amendment.
compensated on a salary basis. In all
counties of this State the Commis-
sioners' Court shall be authorized to
determine whether precinct officers
shall be compensated on a fee basis
or on a salary basis; and in counties
having a population of less than
twenty thousand (20,000) according to
the then last preceding Federal cen-
sus, the Commissioners’ Court shall
also have the authority to determine
whether county officers shall be
compensated on a fee basis or on a
salary basis. All fees earned by dis-
trict, county or precinct officers shall
be paid into the County Treasury
where earned, for the account of the
proper fund, provided that fees in-
curred by the State, county and any
municipality, or in case where pau-
per’s oath is filed, shall be paid to
the County Treasury, when collected,
and provided that where any officer
is compensated wholly on a fee ba-
sis, such fees may be retained by
such officer, or paid into the Treas-
ury of the county as the Commission-
ers’ Court may direct. All Notaries
Public, County Surveyors and Pub-
lic Weighers shall continue to be
compensated on a fee basis.”
Section 2. The foregoing Constitu-
tional amendment shall be submitted
to vote of the qualified voters of this
state and the next general election to
be held on Tuesday, after the first
Monday in Novmber, A. D. 1934 ,at
which election all voters favoring said
proposed amendment shall write or
have printed on their ballots the
words:
"For the Amendment to the Consti-
tution of the State of Texas adding
Section 1 to Article XVI, abolishing
the fee system of compensating all
district officers and all county officers
in counties having a population of
twenty thousand (20.000) or more: and
authorizing the Commissioners’ Court
to determine whether County officers
in counties containing less than twen-
ty thousand 120.000) population shall
be compensated on a fee basis or a
salary basis; and authorizing the
Commissioners' Court in all counties
of this state to determine whether
precinct officers shall be compen-
sated on a fee or a salary basis.”
“Against the Amendment to the
Constitution of the State of Texas
adding Section 61 to Article XV%
abolishing the fee system of compen-
sating all district officers and all
county officers in counties having a
population of twenty thousand (20.000
or more; and authorizing the Commis-
sioners' Court to determine whether
county officers in counties containing
less than twenty thousand (20,000)
population shall be compensated on
a fee basis or a salary basis; and au-
thorizing the Commissioners’ Court
in all counties of this State to deter-
mine whether precinct officers shall
be compensated on a fee or a salary
basis.”
Each voter shall scratch out with
pen or pencil the clause which he
desires to vote against so as to indi-
cate whether he is voting for or
der said charter shall contain any
provision inconsistent with the Con
stitution of the State, or of the gener-
al laws enacted by the Legislature of
this State; said cities may levy, as-
sess and collect such taxes as may be
authorized by law or by their char-
ters; but no tax for any purpose
shall ever be lawful for any one
year, which shall exceed two and
one-half per cent (212 per cent) of the
taxable property of such city, and no
debt shall ever be created by any
city, unless at the same time provis-
ion be made to assess and collect an-
nually a sufficient sum to pay the in-
terest thereon and creating a sinking
fund for at least two per cent (2 per
cent) thereon; provided further, that
no city charter shall be altered,
amended or repealed oftener than ev-
ery twelve (12) months,"
Sec. 2. The foreging Constitutional
Amendment shall be submitted to the
qualified electors of the State at the
next General Election, to be held on
the first Tuesday after the first Mon-
day in November, 1934; at which el-
ection all voters favoring such pro-
posed amendment shall write or have
printed on their ballots the words:
“For tlie Amendment to the Consti-
tution of the State of Texas permit-
ting any Home Rule City to alter,
amend or repeal its charter every
twelve (12) months;” and those op-
posed shall write or have printed on
their ballots the words: “Against the
Amendment to the Constitution of the
State of Texas permitting any Home
Rule City to alter, amend, or repeal
its charter every twelve (12) months.”
A true copy.—W. W. Heath, Secre-
tary of State.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 30
against said proposed amendment.
A true copy.—W. W. Heath, Secre-
Be it resolved by the Legislature
of the State of Texas:
Section 1. That Section 16, Article
VII of the Constitution of the State of
Texas be amended so as to herein-
after read as follows:
"Section 16. All land mentioned in
Sections 11, 12 and 15 of Article VII
of the Constitution of the State of
Texas now belonging to the University
of Texas shall be subject to the taxa-
tion for county and school district
purposes to the same extent as lands
privately owned; provided they shall
be rendered for taxation upon the
values fixed by the State Tax Board
and that the values fixed for school
district purposes shall not exceed the
values fixed for county purposes on
the same land; and provided that the
University of Texas from the Univer-
sity Available Fund, shall remit an-
nually to each of the counties and
school districts in which said lands
are located an amount equal to the
tax imposed upon said land for coun-
ty and school district purposes.”
Section 2. The foregoing Constitu-
tional Amendment shall be submitted
to the qualified electors of the State
at the next general election, at which
election all voters favoring said pro-
posed amendment shall write or have
printed on their baiolts the words:
“For the amendment to the Consti-
tution of the State of Texas subjecting
the lands of the University of Texas
to taxation for county and school
purposes and providing for the pay-
ment of said taxes to the proper au-
thorities of the counties and school
districts where said lands are locat-
ed,” and all those opposed shall write
or have printed on their ballots the
words “Against the amendment to the
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 42 Constitution of the State of Texas
tary of State.
2-9-16-23w
Be it resolved by the Legislature of
the State of Texas:
Section 1. That Section 30, Article
16 of the Constitution of Texas be
amended so as to hereafter read as
follows:
“Section 30. The duration of all
offices not fixed by this Constitution
shall never exceed two (2 )years, ex-
cept that the elected officials of a
city that has adopted and amended
its charter as provided in Section 5,
Article XI of the Constitution of Texas
may, by amendment to such city's
charter, hold office not to exceed four
<4) years; provided, that when a
Railroad Commission is created by
law it shall be composed of three (3)
Commissioners who shall be elected
by the people at a general election
for state officers, and their term of
office shall be six (6) years pro-
vided, Railroad Commissioners first
elected after this Amendment goes in-
to effect shall hold office as follows:
One shall serve two (2) years, and
one four (4) years and one six (6)
years; their terms to be decided by
lot immediately after they shall have
qualified. And one Railroad Commis-
sioner shall be elected every two (2)
years thereafter. In case of vacancy in
said office the Governor of the State
shall fill said vacancy by appointment
until the next General Election.”
Section 2. The foregoing Constitu-
tional Amendment shall be submitted
to the qualified electors of the State
on the next General Election to be
held on the first Tuesday after the
first Monday in November, 1934, at
which election all voters favoring
such proposed amendment shall write
or have printed on their ballot the
words. “For the Amendment to the
Constitution of the State of Texas
permitting Home Rule Cities to so
amend their charters that the elected
officials of such cities may hold of-
fice not to exceed four (4) years,”
and those opposed shall write or have
printed on their ballots the words,
"Against the Amendment to the Con-
stitution of the State of Texas of
Texas permitting Home Rule Cities to
so amend their charters that the el-
ected officials of such cities may hold
office not to exceed four (4* years.”
A true copy.—W. W. Heath, Secre-
tary of State, 2-9-16-23w.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 41
Be it resolved by the Legislature
of the State of Texas:
value as ascertained as may be pro-In JPATl GAIES
vided by law; and providing that the BIA 1Us the V V ■ ■ V
Legislature may make reasonable _____.
classifications of all property, other PRISON MANAGER TELLS VARI-
than real property, for the purpose of
taxation, and that the taxation of all
property in any class shall be equal
and uniform; and providing further
that the Legislature may impose poll
tax and occupation tax and income
tax and exempting from occupation
tax persons engaged in mechanical
and agricultural pursuits; and ex-
empting from taxation Two Hundred
Fifty ($250.00) Dollars worth of house-
hold and kitchen furniture belonging
to each family; and providing that the
occupation tax levied by any county,
city or town shall not exceed one-
half that levied by the State for the
same period.”
OUS METHODS OF SMUG-
GLING IN PISTOLS.
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 3.—Lee Sim-
mons, general manager of the prison
system. Wednesday made the follow-
ing statement regarding recent escapes
of criminals from the penitentiary,
some of them under death sentence
and noted bandits and killers.
"When on Sunday afternoon, July
22. at about 5 o’clock the news was
flashed by telephone, radio and later
by newspapers that three condemned
men. Raymond Hamilton, Joe Palmer
and Blackie Thompson, had escaped
from the Texas penitentiary and were
. ,i again at liberty, all Texas stood
Amendment shall write or have print-aghast and could hardly believe it
ed on their ballots the words: I true
“The public had a right to be ter-
ror stricken, as it was the greatest
Those voters opposing said proposed
"Against the Amendment to the
Constitution of the State of Texas
providing that taxation of real prop-
erty shall be equal and uniform; and
that all property in this State, other
than that owned by municipal cor-
porations shall be taxed in propor-
tion to its value as ascertained as
may be provided by law; and provid-
ing that the Legislature may make
reasonable classifications of all prop-
erty. other than real property, for
the purposeof taxation; and that the
taxation of all property in any class
shall be equal and uniform; and pro-
viding further that the Legislature
may impose poll tax and occupation
tax and income tax, and exempting
from occupation tax persons engaged
in mechanical and agricultural pur-
suits; exempting from taxation Two
Hundred Fifty ($250.00) Dollars worth
of household and kitchen furniture
belonging to each family, and pro-
viding that the occupation tax levied
by any county, city or town shall not
exceed one-half that levied by the
State for the same period."
A true copy.—W. W. Heath, Secre-
tary of State.
calamity that has occurred to the sys-
tem since its organization. More and
just as desperate men as these have
escaped at numerous times, but never
before from the death house. To me
it is the tragedy of my life and no
one regrets it as much as I do, for
the responsibility of holding the pris-
oners rests on me and I accept and
am not sidestepping it. So the state-
ments that follow are not excuses but
explanations and facts as I know
them.
"On taking charge of the prison sys-
tem some four years ago I believed
my first duty to the state was to hold
the prisoners and prevent escapes.
Second in importance was their re-
habilitation. There are many other
important duties and responsibilities
but I thought then and know now that
2-9-16-23w
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 13
Be it resolved by the Legislature of
the State of Texas:
Section 1. That Section 3 of Article
VIII of the Constitution of the State
of Texas be so amended as to here-
inafter read as follows:
"Section 3. Taxes shall be levied and
collected by general laws and for
public purposes only; and the total
amount of revenue which the State
shall be authorized to collect during
such biennium from taxes, licenses,
permits and fees, (except fees paid
by students to state educational in-
stitutions, and except rentals, bonus-
these two should receive first con-
sideration. Rehabilitation because
each year more than 301X1 prisoners
go back to society to mingle with your
family, my family and the other fel-
low’s family. Are they to go back
better or worse? That is why the pres-
ent management has gone strong on
education and wholesome amusement
in a sensible, conservative manner.
Percentage of Escapes.
“I believe in placing responsibility
where it belongs, and in the manage-
ment of the penitentiary I have placed
full responsibility on the head of each
department and have let him select
his own help and then held him re-
sponsible for results. At all times
and at all of our meetings I have
per cent. This record is not given as
an excuse for the escapes from the
death cell, but to show that some one
has been on the job and that some one
is the warden and the various farm
managers.
Tunnel Said Planned.
"As to the escape from the death
cells. Why was Frazier not at the
ball game, is asked? It was known
that a tunnel was being dug prepara-
tory for an escape, and when 1 saw
Frazier in the yard at 2 p.m 1 was
sure he was in on the deal. We
planned to raid the tunnel at 2:30 and
did so and found he was not there,
where we had expected him to be. It
was this deal that threw off Warden
Waid and the rest of us from sus-
pecting anything else. It was but
natural for us to figure as we did.
The direct cause of the escape, of
course, was the smuggling in of the
guns and the failure of a guard to do
his duty when occasion demanded it
“The public can not understand how
it is possible to smuggle guns into a
prison. The public does not realize
that in this regard tlie outside and
not the inside is our problem. We
can not figure on what the outside is
doing. As stated, 3000 prisoners are
discharged each year. If 10 per cent
of them are real criminals and try in
some manner to aid their confed-
erates to escape, what may be ex-
pected. Guns were smuggled in when
Warden White was marched out at
Leavenworth, at the big break in the
Kansas penitentiary last year, when
the warden was killed by Frazier and
Joiner in Louisiana, two guards were
killed on the Retrieve and Central
farms last year by guns smuggled
into the building and a guard at the
Eastham farm was killed this year
with two guns being smuggled in, all
by confederates from the outside.
How Guns Might Get In.
"Just how these guns that led to
the death cell delivery came in has
not yet definitely been determined.
They could have been thrown over
the twenty-five foot walls at night
and picked up and buried by some
prisoner who works in the lower yard.
This is a large industrial plant,
crowded with many buildings close
to the front for the keys or taken
the warden or other officials and ac-l
complished their purpose, and this
plan was figured on seriously. Once
in the death cell and with their con-
federates out, they captured the un-
aimed guard in the lower yard and
prevented an alarm. Some of them
went to the paint shop upstairs and
broke the lock from the ladders and
carried them around the buildings to-
ward the walls. All ladders are locked!
on Sunday and at night and when not
in use. Everything ready, they ran
around the corner of the building and
called on the guard to put up their
hands. They were thirty yards from
the wall and had an unarmed guard
in front of them.
Duties of Guards.
"I will not be unfair enough or un-
kind enough to try to unload this
tragic occurrence on Warden Waid and
on the guard. I accept my part of the
responsibility. Our first duty is to
protect the lives of the public. We
stressed the fact that our first duty
to the public is to hold the prisoners
to prevent escapes. Acting on this
policy I never have recommended a
guard to the warden or to the eleven
farm managers. I leave this to them.
Is this policy sound and has it ob-
subjecting the lands of the University
of Texas to taxation for county and
school district purposes, and provid-
ing for the payment of said taxes to
the proper authorities of the counties
and school districts where said lands
are located."
A true copy.—W. W. Heath, Secre-
tary of State.
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 16
Be it resolved by the Legislature of
the State of Texas:
Section 1. That Section 1 of Article
8 of the Constitution of the State of
Texas be amended so as to hereafter
read as follows]:
Section 1. Taxation to be equal and
uniform as to real estate and to be
equal and uniform as to all reason-
able classifications of property; and
occupation and income taxes; exemp-
tions; limitations upon counties, cit-
ies, etc.
"Taxation of real property shall
be equal and uniform. All property in
this state, whether owned by natural
persons or corporations, other than
municipal, shall be taxed in propor-
tion to its value, which shall be as-
certained as may be provided by law.
The Legislature may by general laws
make reasonable classifications of all
property other than real property for
the purposeof taxation, and may im-
pose different rates thereon; provided
that the taxation of all property in
any class shall be equal and uniform.
The Legislature may impose a poll
tax. It may also impose occupation
taxes, both upon natural persons and
upon corporations, other than muni-
cipal. doing business in this State.
It may also tax incomes of both nat-
ural persons and corporations other
than municipal, except that persons
engaged in mechanical and agricul-
tural pursuits shall never be required
to pay an occupation tax; provided
that Two Hundred Fifty ($250.00) Dol-
lars worth of household and kitchen
furniture, belonging to each family
in the State, shall be exempt from
taxation, and provided further than
the occupation tax levied by any
county, city or town for any year on
persons or corporations pursuing any
profession or business, shall not ex-
ceed one-half of the tax levied by the
state for the same period of such pro-
fession or business."
Section 1. That Section 5, of Article be held throughout the State on the
XI, of the Constitution of Texas, be 4
SHOWERS FAIL
TO END TEXAS
CROP DECLINE
(Dallas News '
Texas' largely unrelieved drouth and
| extreme heat caused further cotton
deterioration this week except in a
| few south central counties, where
all know we have a dangerous job.
The guard knows his life constantly is
in danger. If he is not willing to as-
sume the risk and put his duty first
he should not take the job.
"The guard on the picket had no
regard for the safety of the public
and refused to take any chance what-
ever on his own life. There were a
number of things he could have done
and not have taken as much chance
on his life as many other guards have
done since I have had charge. I do
not expect a guard to commit sui-
cide when he has no chance but I
have a right to expect him to use or-
dinary judgment and display ordinary
courage. That is his sworn duty. None
was used in this case, and that is the
main reason for these escapes—failure
to do one’s duty. This man is honest
and I am sure is a good man, but
Warden Waid made a serious mistake
when he selected him. But I will not
condemn Waid, because he has se-
lected many good ones and his record
is outstanding. Things have got along
so well that I think he had become
rather careless about his visitors,
shows and guards, and perhaps placed
too much confidence in his trusties,
but I am partly responsible for not
to the wall and a large number of tightening up on him, as the public is
prisoners work at night in various looking to me. Three guards ran off
capacities. Warden Waid is rattier of from their duty at the Eastham farm
the opinion that they came over the in the Barrow-Hamilton delivery, but
in the Barrow-Hamilton delivery, but
wall.
"The guns could have been smug-
gled in in trucks, as there are from
ten to twenty of them coming in daily
with wood, groceries, farm products
and material for the factories. Two
guards do nothing but search these
trucks but they might overlook them.
most of them displayed courage and
judgment, as there were about 200
prisoners there and only five escaped.
No man is sure what his selections
will do until they are under fire.
“Prison guards are underpaid, as
they receive but $75 a month and
work from twelve to fourteen hours
good rains resulted in slight improve-
ment, The Dallas News summary for
the week ended Aug 2 indicates.
Heavy ruins fell where they will dos
the least good, in the south and
southeast, and other sections received
only showers to light rains.
South Texas cotton now appears to
have been damaged 20 to 50 per cent
by last week's coast storm, but the
lower Rio Grande Valley and coun-
ties west of San Antonio escaped in-
jury. Other sections ight ake con-
siderable recovery with soaking rains
by Aug. 15, but prospects are very
poor and extent of the possible re-
covery is doubtful, although most
plants have a fairly good tap root.
Continued willing, heavy shedding,
blooming in the top and some pre-
mature opening characterized the
week. Under the hot winds, many
stunted plants have stopped bloom-
ing except in the top, and many coun-
ties report conditions the poorest in
years. Picking is under way in the
southern half of the state, but was
delayed by wetness in South and
Southwest Texas. Leafworms are do-
ing som edamage along th ecoast,
where they and other insects will be
a threat with showery weather, while
other areas report scattered weevil
and flea damage.
Oklahom aand New Mexico.
Oklahoma cotton continued to de-
cline under the intense heat and
drouth. With fairly good tap roots,
plants probably would recover to a
large extent with good rains, but they
are small and wilting and shedding
badly. Weevil condition to do some
damage, and the outlook generally is
far below average. I
New Mexico cotton is in good com
dition has a good tap root and is
blooming freely, but two counties re-
port a slight decline this week due to
hot, dry weather and lack of ample
irrigation water.
They could come in with the aid of daily, Sunday included for most of
trusties, as there are many of them them. The physical plants are old
in and out of the penitentiary daily. and out of date and the grounds at
They, too, of course are searched, but Huntsville
might be overlooked. They could
More Than 1500 Given
Typhoid Shots In Co.
Dr. E. E. Scott, Mrs. Patricia Mar-
tyn have been very busy since the
storm giving typhoid innoculation
throughout the county. Monday in
Sargent, Matagorda, Wadsworth, Ce-
dar Lane and about 1500 received the
first of three shots. There is a lapse
of one week between the shots.
Monday, July 30, they gave the
shots at the various places mentioned.
Then Thursday, today, they will give
the shots at Collegeport Community
House at 9:30, then at Blessing at 11.
At Cedar Lane this afternoon at 2 p.m.
at Craigs Store the first of the shots
will be given. Tuesday, Aug. 7 at 9
am. at the Matagorda Odd Fellows
Hall, 11 a.m. at Wadsworth school,
1.30 p.m. Sargent store, 3:00 Cedar
Lane post office. Then Wednesday,
Aug. 8 at 5 p.m at the court house
in Bay City. This schedule will be
followed until the entire county has
been properly taken care of.
There are three shots. There will be
some who will take the second shot
next week and along with them some
will take the first shot. They will
continue the chain until all have
being inoculated.
are practically entirely
covered with buildings. Many of the
have been brought in by visitors and
been passed to some one, or dropped
in the yard by arrangement. The
men are searched but the women are
not. Then, last, they might have been
brought in by some employe taking
money for that which might cause the
death of his fellow-employe and inno-
cent citizens and peace officers on the
es and royalties obtained from pub-
lic lands and other public property)
shall not exceed a sum reasonably
estimated to equal the product ob-
tained by multiplying the number of
the inhabitants of this State by the
sum of Twenty-two and 50-100 ($22.-
50) Dollars ;provided, however, the
I IE ICCOID DU DLU v VICV VAAHA M "V MAN
total amount of such revenue which | a 14 r cent escape of prisoners the
malybe so collected, shall be reduced three yeras before I took charge,
by the amountof any usrplus funds “During the three full years of my
or unexpended appropriations re-management from Jan. 1. 1931, to Jan.
maining at the close of the preceding 1 1934, there have been confined in
biennoum. The expenditures of the the penitentiary 16,446 prisoners and
state government of funds derived there have been 306 escapes, or less
from the sources above referred to than 2 per cent against an average of
anas never exceed during any bi-12 per cent for the entire period, why was not there a guard in the
During the first six months of the
present year there were forty-two
escapes with an average prison popu-
lation of 5382, or three-fourths of 1
tained results?
“The prison system was organized
in 1849 and up to Jan. 1. 1931, the rec-
ords show there had been 65,254 pris-
oners. The records also show that
there were 8172 escapes or 12 per cent
of all prisoners since its organization.
The records also show that there was
outside. I am glad that so far we
have not found any evidence along
this line, but we are not overlook-
ing it.
No Guns for Inside Guards.
"The guns inside, the plan was to
follow the guard when he fed those
in the death cell at 4 p.m. The de-
livery was set, not because the ball
game was in progress but at the time
the death cell door was to be un-
locked.
"Next to how the guns got in, the
question most frequently asked is
ennium, a sum equal to the product
obtained by multiplying the number
of inhabitants of this State by the sum
of Twenty-two and 50-100 i $22.50>
Dollars, provided however, that the
population of the State (in deter-
mining the amount of revenue which less prevented by the pre-existing
may be collected from taxes, licenses,
permits and fees or expended from
the revenue thus obtained) shall be
determined by the then last preced-
ing Federal census, to which popula-
tion shall be added or deducted, as
the case may be, for each year that
has lapsed since the last preceding
Federal census, the average yearly
increase or decrease of the popula-
tion as shown by said Federal census
when compared with the Federal cen-
sus which immediately preceded said
last Federal census, provided, fur-
ther, that is case of war, riots, or
insurrection, or a statewide calamity
paused by earthquake, fire, flood
or an epidemic which seriously
threatens the health of the citizens of
this State, the Legislature shall have
authority, by a two-thirds vote of
both Houses, to suspend for a definite
period this constitutilon limitation as
to the amount of money which may
be collected and expended during the
biennium."
Section 2. The foregoing Constitu-
tional Amendment shall be submitted
to the electors of this State qualified
to vote on constitutional amendments
at an election to be held throughout
the State on the first Tuesday after
the first Monday in November, A. D.,
1934. at which election each ballot
shall have printed the words:
“For the amendment of Section 3
of Article VIII of the State Constitu-
tion providing for the levying and
collection of taxes and fixing the
maximum amount thereof which can
be collected and expended each bien-
nium.”
"Against the Amendment of Section
3 of Article VIII of the State Consti-
tution providing for the levying and
collection of taxes and fixing the
maximum amount thereof which can
be collected and expended each bi-
ennium."
Each voter shall scratch out with
death cells?
Had there been one
boundary lines. Should the state lines
render this impracticable in border
counties, the area may be less. The
territory referred to may, at any time,
in whole or in part, be divided into
counties in advance of population and
attached, for judicial and land sur-
veying purposes, to the most conve-
nient organized county or counties.
there, would he have been unharmed?
No guard inside the walls is permitted
to carry a gun. The guards on the
walls and at the front entrance are
depended on to confine the prisoners
within the walls. The guards are on
duty day and night, each armed with
a six-shooter, a shotgun and a 0-30
Second. Within the territory of any
county or counties now existing, the
Legislature may by a two-thirds vote
of both Houses, create new counties,
combine existing counties and parts
of counties and abolish existing
counties and change county boun-
daries at will, provided that no new
county shall be created with an area
of less than nine hundred square
miles nor shall any existing county
be reduced in area so as to contain
less than nine hundred square miles,
unless such new county or such re-
maining county, and both shall have
a population of not less than fifty
thousand according to the last Unit-
ed States census prior to the date
of the creation or change of such
county. When any part of a county
is stricken off and attached to, or
created into another county, the part
stricken off shall be holden for and
obliged to pay its proportion of all
liabilities then existing, of the coun-
ty f om which it was taken, in such
manner as may be prescribed by law.
Third. No part of any existing coun-
ty shall be detached from it and at-
tached to another existing county
until the proposition for such change
shall have been submitted in such a
manner as may be provided by law, to
a vote of the electors of both coun-
ties and shall have reeel zed a major-
ity of those voting on th equestion
in each."
Setion 2. The foregoing amend-
merit to the Constitution shall be sub-
mitted to a vote of the qualified el-
ectors of this state at an election
be held throughout the State on the
First Tuesday after the first Monday
in November, 1934. At this election
pen or pencil the clause which he de-
sires to vote against, so as to indi-
cate whether he is voting for or
against said proposed amendment, all voters favoring sai l proposed
A true copy,—W. W. Heath, Secre-atser dment shall write or have print-
tary of State, ed ir that ballot the words:
sail proposed
2-9-16-23w "For the amendment to Section 1
■— of Article 3 of the Constitution of
Texas, providing that the Legislature
may by a two-thirds voteof both
Section 2. The foregoing amendment | SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 21
to the Constitution of Texas shall be —.........
submitted to a vote of the qualified! Be it resolved by the Legislature
electors of this State at an election to of the State of Texas:
Section 1. That Section 1 of Arti- .....
first Tuesday after the first Monday! cle 9 of the Constitution of the Stateed amendment shall write, or have
in November, 1934. At this election,! of Texas, be amended so as to here-
Houses create
new counties and
change the boundaries of existing
counties.”
• A true copy.—W. W. Heath, Sec- ' 4 Constitution of Texas, bel
F rotary of State 2.9.16-23w amended so as to hereafter read as
rotary of state. 41523W| follows: all voters favoring said amendment'after read as follows:
Those voters opposing said prop s
•-----—-----------— | "Section 5. Cities having more than
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No „ five thousand (5000) inhabitants may,
SENATE No. 2 by a majority vote of the qualified
- 1 . I voters of said city, at an election held
Be it resolved by the Legislature
of the State of Texas:
Sucon 1. That the Constitution of
for that purpose, adopt or amend
their charters, subject to such limita-
tions as may be prescribed by the
the State of Texas, Article 16, be Legislature, and providing that no
amended by adding thereto another charter or any ordinance passed un-
shall write, or have printed, 011 their "Section 1. Tlie Legislature shall
ballots the words: have the power to create counties
For the Amendment to the Consti- for the convenience of the people
| tution of the State of Texas providing subject to the following provisions:
that taxation of real property shall. First. In the territory of the State
be equal and uniform; and that all exterior to all counties now exist-
property in this state, other than that ing, no new counties shall be created
owned by municipal corporations, with a less area than nine hundred
shall be taxed in proportion to its square miles, in a square, form, lin-
printed on their ballot the words:
“Against the amendment to Section
1 of Article 9 of the Constitution of
Texas, providing that the Legislature
may by a two-thirds vote of both
Houses create new counties and
change the boundaries of existing
counties.”
A true copy.—W. W. Heath, Secre-
tary of State.
2-9-16-23w
rifle. Each guard telephones to the
central office every thirty minutes in
order that it may be known that
everything is all right. One extra
picket house was built on the walls
last year. None of the regular guards
was at the ball game but all were on
duty.
“A guard in the death cells, armed
or unarmed, could not have prevented
a delivery from the death cells when
three guns were in the hands of expe-
rienced desperate men in the yards.
They could have marched the guard
buildings on the farms where danger-
ous men are confined are of wooden
construction and are about rotted
down. I am not complaining about it,
I took the system as it was and am
doing the best I can with it and am
merely stating the facts.
“As I said, no one regrets this tragic
incident as much as I do. 1 gladly
would have given my life to have pre-
vented it because I realize that good
peace officers probably will be killed
before these three men again are cap-
tured.
“I am not asking the public to ex-
cuse us because of what progress
already had been made. But I do call
attention to the escape record, as
those that are in direct charge are
entitled to credit for what they have
done, as they now are under the scru-
tinizing eye of a forgetful public.
“I have given these facts because
of the frequent comment recently as
to why so many have escaped. I agree
that this is the most serious and most
tragic incident of the prison system
and I will put forth every effort to
correct it and all other weak points.
The public must not forget that had
the prison system been run the last
three years as in all its past history
(here would have been more than
1000 more escaped convicts on the
highways, in your homes and your
places of business and who can say
how many lives of citizens would
have been lost in hijackings and
burglaries and how many peace of-
ficers would have been slain?
"To sit on the side lines and read
about it is one thing, to deal directly
with 8500 different prisoners annually
is another. The organization as a
whole is competent, honest and effi-
cient. Mistakes are made, but when
they are seen they are corrected. The
A CARD FROM
JUDGE STYLES
The Tribune has received a card
from Judge Samuel J. Styles, who
with Mrs. Styles, is enjoying a de-
lightful summer vacation in the “Cool
Rockies" in Colorado
"Cool part of the time," the judge
says, “but hot a-plenty at other
times."
Tlie card did not advise the date of
their return home.
public is entitled to protection, the
prisoners are entitled to reasonable
rehabilitation and the prison board
and the management is doing its best
to serve both."
Report No. 7 from
the HUMBLE
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Smith, Carey. The Matagorda County Tribune (Bay City, Tex.), Vol. 89, No. 4, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 9, 1934, newspaper, August 9, 1934; Bay City, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1696508/m1/3/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Matagorda County Museum & Bay City Public Library.