Austin Weekly Statesman. (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 26, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 31, 1896 Page: 12 of 12
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- mnnw vr mTTTTDOTV AV T ItT'TT'Af'RTl'Tt 31.
1896.
r
r
il l MR ISIS
COMMISSIONER ROSE SAYS THEY
EXIST IN THE LONE STAR
STATE.
I niOUMIST
I It' Deprecates the Condition of the Pres-
ent Laws Governing His Depart-
ment nod Asks for Changes
at Once.
VViinmiHsioner Rose of the department
-of InHiirance statistics and hiBtory yes-
terday issued advanced proofs of his
forthcoming report to the governor of the
condition of crops and agricultural indus-
tries in Texas. The report says:
"I have the honor to submit herewith
ihc ninth agricultural report of this de-
partment covering the period from De-
. cember 31 1804 to December 31 181(5.
"You may possibly remember that in
my letter accompanying the transmission
of the eighth annual report. I referred
o the Inefficiencies of existing laws and
dwelt with some emphasis on the need of
promjrt remedial legislation. It will not
'be out of place if I here renew the sug
gestions then made and again urgently
.-ask for the enactment of such statutes ad
will secure for this department the as-
sistance and co-operation needed aud in-
disjieusable for the satisfactory perform
ance of the useful purposes for which It
was created. Without such co-operation
the work must unavoidably be and con-
tinue to be incomplete and as a whole
not acceptable. Since making my lust
reKrt other defects in the law have be-
come apparent in addition to those there-
in enumerated. Among these I would
specially direct attention to the fact that
the newly adopted Revised Statutes of
the state omit entirely the fit ta section
of the law of 188!) chapter 57 which
made it the duly of the assessors to col-
lect methodically arrange and deliver to
.this department statistics showing the
.condition of our people particularly In re-
gard to their agricultural efforts nnd in-
terests. It must be self-evident that
without this or similar statutory compul-
sion the department is not only hindered
but is absolutely helpless in its efforts to
.accomplish the work it is commissioned to
perform nnd which if it was supported
by proper legislation the people would
have a right in all reason to demand and
expect. Remedial action in this particu-
lar should in my judgment embrace the
positive requirement under adequate pen-
alty for refusal of everyone questioned
by the nssessors to answer under oath as
accurately as possible every question pro-
pounded by the assessors. This would
enable the assessors to deal authoritative-
ly with the citizen in an official charac-
ter and would clothe him with
ipower and means for discharging his
obligations to the department obligations
which do not at present exist by reason
of 'the omission from the Revised Stat-
utes of the law of 188!) and which can
not exist until the wrong of this omission
is remedied. Another difficulty devel-
ops when we come to look for the where-
with to pay the assessors for their work.
I take it that the people of Texas are dis-
posed to he just and equitable in their
dealing with their official agents; that
they recognize good faith as the right rule
to observe in public ns well as private af-
fairs and that where important responsi-
bilities are imposed commensurate com-
pensation should be extended. Under
ithe statutes now in force there is no pro-
vision for paying the assessors for their
twork. Article 4.r44n laws of 1889. is
also omitted and yet it or some law simi-
lar to it is manifestly essential for visit-
ing punishment upon officials and upon all
. other persons who shall refuse or fail to
furnish required information. These
.omissions of the law left the department
as to Its agricultural feature and other
statistics entirely dependent on the will
. of county aud state officials to give in-
formation or not. By circular letter I
duly notified the assessors of the true
condition nnd at the same time appealed
to them to continue the work and to look
. to the coining session of the legislature
for tneir pay. I am pleased to say that
of the 224 assessors in the state 187 of
them complied with my request com-
pleted the returns and promptly sent
them to the department for use in this re-
port Many other officials not asses-
sorn also were prompt to Bupply the in-
formation requested. These have thus
'materially promoted the work of the de
partment nnd nre deserving of high com-
mendation at the hands of all good citl-
xens. Just why or how these omitted
laws to which I have referred were per-
mitted to be stricken from the statute
book nnd to become relegated ns useless
trash to the waste piles and rubbish heaps
of obsolete legislative enactments I am
unable to surmise. Their disappear-
ance without legislative repealing action
'is a matter I leave to the compilers to ex-
.plain. I can otdy say and urge that not-
withstanding the compilers seem to have
'Complied until they compiled the assessors
ont of their nav. those assessors who
have faithfully done the work should be
paid; and I sincerely hope the members
of the legislature may see their way clear
to ineonioratc n provision for tneir pay.
mcnt in the appropriation bill. It cer
tainly could not have been at any time
fthe intention of the legislature to exact
this work of the deportment without pro-
riding the means and mctnods to per
fnrm it
If a copy of the annual report of the
agricultural department could each year
be placed in each farm house in the state
it would not be a misuse of the volume.
4t would direct the farmer's attention to
matters which immediately affect him nnd
iiia iKt.o-nntM. It would show him that
the state is giving vigilant attention to
Hie important business of agriculture
and it could not otherwise than stimulate
and encourage his efforts to nnd tnat tney
.a'lirn linillfr nrnmnti'd to the crentost ex
tent attainable under the provisions of
human laws. The publication of so great
a number of volumes would however en-
tail an outlay of money beyond what a
reasonable regard tor economy niigiit per
mit Knt there should be a much large)
ietinnnre flf these renorts than that which
it hna been the custom to allow. The
fin-mo renroscot the croat body of tax
payers as well as of producers of wealth
and as they pay so largely to the con
i.i f hu Hinte cnvernnient. they are en
titled to primary attention at least in
those matters of government which rein to
directly nnd exclusively to larnnng conui
l Tiililinir to this conviction I u
my last report suggested that 30.000 cop
ies of it might be printed for general dis-
tribution among the farmers for I be
iived then nnd believe now that even
hnn flint number could be profita
bly used bv sending them to the farmer
citizens of the state. The state printing
board however could authorize the
printing of but 2000 copies which is the
maximum number allowed by law. The
Inw should be amended in this respect
njVt.nn hundred enniefl out "f i thl8 mini-
tor were delivered to this department for
! distribution the balance being retnined in
the secretary of state s omce to suppiy
the legislature and for other demnnds.
We have 224 organized counties in the
state. The number allotted to the de-
partment for distribution prorated is a
fraction over six copies to each county.
I have sent out but few copies except
when requested. The supply was soon
exhausted and-almost every mail contin-
ues to bring requests for copies. It is
no unusual thing for farmers when call-
ed upon by assessors for information to
refuse and withhold the information and
give as rensons that they never get
a report and that the informa-
tion is wanted for the benefit
of speculators. The farmers in-
insist upon grenter consideration for
themselves in this respect. I think their
claim is just nnd should be honored. Ibis
refusal of the farmers and the reasons
they give for it to furnish desired in-
formation taken in connection with the
very limited number of copies of the r
port that are issued nnd their unequal
distribution does not evidence the exist-
ence between the farmer and his state
government of those reciprocal relations
of good will and confidence which are
really vital factors in the make-up of
general prosperity.
"The difficulties encountered by this
department are however by no means
confined to omitted statutes defective
laws and unwillingness of fanners to
f...n:oh DtnHatiea for publications of
whieh they are entitled to the largest
share but which they do not get at all.
Worse foes than these were here before
and are here now. They are those who
toil not neither do they spin; yet they
nre always greedy aud hungry to prey
upon the products of the farms labor
appropriating the industry of others to
the building up of incomes for them-
selves. Confederated companies and as-
sociations of men by combination for
vicious purposes at will bear or bull the
markets of the country depressing
nrieeri until agricultural products pass
out of the farmer's hands. This is prac
tically a coining of the sweoi inai iu
from the farmer's face while he walks
the furrow between nis piow iuiuuu-b
into dimes and dollars lor ins oppreioi..
It seems to me that no government can
be while permitting this euner ju
self or eager in duty to its citizens. Ihere
i -rwi nnn he nn excuse no plausible
defense for any one who seeks to deprive
producers of the full innriioi vanus iu
his products that may be prevailing at
the time the sale is made. This is a
proposition which no one can deny and
which no one will in good faith even nt-
tempt to dispute. It embodies antl is in-
tended to express no special favoritism
for the farmer. It is simpiy mo ueciuru-
thnt are net only not or nomiriui con
struction but also ot easy anu saie ap-
plication with penalties so severe that
no man would violate or attempt to vio-
late them.
"The evils visited upon the public by
combinations trusts and syndicate asso-
ciations arc by no means limited to those
which prevent the farmer from getting
remunerative prices for his products by
sale in open markets where competition
is possible nnd where values snouiu dc
regulated by the measures of supply and
demand. They extend also to those sub
jects of trade in supplies that are neces-
sary in the mnnngeraent of household
economies and larm operations. n.ery
consumer who is not a denier in the par
ticular line of merchandise that is eon-
rolled by a trust conspiracy is vitally in-
volved. Notably among those enforcing
combination methods is the luinlcr trust
now actively operating in this stnte. at
is n notorious fact that no one not a
dealer can purchase it at Baw mills for
shipment even by car lots. Except deal-
ers in the article all who need it must
hnv from some local dealer. This local
dealer obtains it at trust prices from the
mills. These trust prices the added cost
of transportation and of the local dealer's
nrofits. are accumuiateu burdens wnicn
the consumer hna to bear. It occurs to
me that this is not by any means the cor-
rect thing to tolerate. Nor is the tolera-
tion a concession of the law cither in
spirit or letter. The following corre-
spondence serves to some extent to dem-
onstrate the workings of this trust nnd
emphasizes the pressing necessity or some
rigorous rule in the interests of equitable
commerce between the lumber merchant
and -the lumber consumer.
" 'Bremond Robertson County Tex.
April 11 18S)fl A. J. Rose Ksq. Com-
Aericultnre. etc: Respect
ed Sir I read your report etc. as pub
lished in the Dallas Xews in wnicn jou
classed nil those who dealt in futures
ns gamblers nnd you thought the peni-
tentiary was the proper place for them.
You seem to reel a deep interest in me
.olfnro nf the farmers. Now. if you de
sire to do something for the 'Gibbs' mud-
sillers. I would suggest yon step over
nnd invite Governor Culberson to go
with you to the lumber dealers- conven-
tion which meets in Austin on the 13th
and see if yon can induce them to do
away with the lumber trust. See u they
will obligate tnemseives uui io
any saw mill man that will sell a car
load of lumber to a farmer who desires
to build a house that lives near n lum
ber vrd on the railroad nna see wimi
a combination these lumbermen have
made against every man who is not in the
lumber business. See if you can gel
these lumber dealers over Texns. who
sell lumber direct to the tarmers to sen
iiiinhF ftvr less than 50 to 75 per cent
nrnfit Mr. Hnthwsv is now in jail nt
Waco for selling cheap oil to farmers
fnii't von nnd Governor uuioerson per
.oin tboiio lumbermen to allow farmers
and others who wnnt a carload of lmbcr
to buy it direct from the saw mills? If
. . . in 1 11. t Ihfl
Ull nun nn- r-" ' " - . . A
nnrt t i.n frmwnmr will ill linn it'i
farmer they will ever teei graieim .
both of you. Of all the trusts and com
bines that ever were in iexn u.m -ler
trust has been and is today the most
nnw nnd tvrnnnieal and oppressive.
fin in their secret meetings where they
nil fir nriees to rob nil those who are
forced to buy of them itespeeiiu y.
"M. luiur-ii i .
"Anatin Tex.. AnHl 14. 1800. Mr. J.
O. Roberts Bremond lex: tenr sir-
Replying to your favor of the 11th in-
stant I beg to say in regard to the lmn-
lier trust of whicn yon coiiipmm mm
in mv indement. the law is full une
niiivn'pnl nnd nositive in its deininciu-
tirn nf trusts. A previously existing
..tito n-n nmended and most materially
strengthened by nn act of the last legis-
Intnro. nnnroved April 30. 1SD;. C.ov-
'Pi.lbersnn. in his message (p. 47
House Journal) dwelt with marked em
phasis on this subject nnd did his full
duty in directing attention in the line of
protecting consumers numns. .nifH"ini
by trusts and combinations claiming t
be supported by their chartered privileges
lie does this ns you will see by refer
ence to the above cited journal under
the significant beading 'Conspiracies
Against Trade.' The law now in force
subjects violators to n penalty of not less
than S50 nor more than $5000 and con-
finement in the penitentiary for a period
of not less than one nor more than ten
mi ya ns nt lu.r such fine or imprison
ment Each day during the'violation of
this law constitutes n separate otiense
.i iVio T-lnlntur In liable to forfeit nnd
pay the sum of $50 for each day of such
.;.ioHr.n There is no mistaking the let
ter nnd the intention of the lnw on the
subject. It provides that it shall lie the
duty of the attorney general pr the dis-
trict attorney or the county attorney to
prosecute for and recover the same.
And such prosecution and recovery may
be had in any county where the offense
is committed or where the offenders re-
side or in Travis county. Now let me
insist that you make complaint to the
attorney general and accompany your
complaint with a full statement of facts
names of witnesses and the nnture of all
the testimony on which you rely for suc-
cessful prosecution. If you do this I
nm quite sure the guilty parties will be
brought to a just punishment lours
truly
" 'A. J. ROSE Commissioner.'
"Now conceding that this is a case
requiring the interposition of some su-
perior governing nuthority an authority
that will formulate decrees just to all
whose provisions shall be clear and com-
prehensive and at the same time strong
with the strength to enforce their own
judgment what redress is possible in
the premisfg? What remedy is devisa
ble to dissipate the wrong or at least to :
mitigate its pernicious consequences?
The law on the subject as it now stands
is strong in denunciation of it ns n crime
nnd is perhaps sufficiently punitory in
its nature but the difficulty in its appli-
cation is explained by the methods of
our criminal procedure. These methods
require all prosecutions to be begun by
complaints or affidavit or by informa
tion or by indictment niese preiinn-
nary steps must be taken betore ar-
taken betore
ruigiimeiu nnu mm eiui uv reairueu. imu
of course is a time-honored and exceed-!
ingly proper procedure. Yet unaided it
often fails to accomplish the law's pur-
pose to 'uphold the right nnd redress the '
. . . . . 1 1 1 TM. '
wrong ine iauure is speciuny uue 10
the fact that the criminal procedure
neither compels nor encourages the tak-
ing of the first indispensable action
which is the formal making of the affi-
davit and complaint. Trusts nre the
creatures of wealthy powerful nnd un-
scrupulous combinations. They repre-
sent concentrated wealth might and
viciousness which ordinarily the iso-
late and unassisted private individual
is not only not nnxious to attack but
whose displensure he is rather anxious
to avoid. He is not ambitious to pro-1
voke even in the prosecution of his own
rights the hostility of a foe so strong. 1
For him individually there is no prom-'
ise for future personal advantage nor
hope for immediate personal reward to
result "en though he succeeds in
convicting the guilty party. This is so be-
cause the consumer having denrlv naid .
tile local lumber deaW for his supply uc-
corumg to tne trust scneuuie or prices
does not expect to be called upon again
for years if ever to purchase more lum-
ber nnd again pay tribute to the trust.
This reflection inclines iu fact induces
him to let the matter drop as something
that no longer directly concerns himself.
Under the circumstances this reluctance
of th individual to volunteer formal com-
plaint is not altogether unnatural. It be-
comes intensified and exaggerated until
un- imuviuiiiii winitever n s irue (lisposi-
tion maV be. hesitates and finally f-.i s to'
!...1!!J I I. . a a l. (
make comnlaint. To meet this emerL'enev !
the law should I think make the fine that
may be lmjiosed upon the convicted trust
men payable either in whole or in part to
the complaining prosecuting witness. The
farmers of Texas are especially interested
in this matter and it would be one of the
helpr contributing to their emancipation
from ervile servitude to trusts if they
too would become actively aggressive in
sustaining the law. This they could do
through state organization and commit-
tees o ascertain and bring to justice
every offending case. They could thus
lay the heavy hand of authority upon
guilt nnd subserve their own and their
community's welfare. Trusts have their
own organization that they operate and
are always found in sleepless vigilance
reaching out their itching hands for un-
earned dollars.- .
"What I have said about trusts nnd
their nefarious practices and the remedies
for the wrongs they inflict applies with
equal force to every character of con-
spiracy against commerce. They are
multitudinous in number nnd all are mer
ciless in exactions. I have particularly
mentioned the lumber trust for animad-
version solely because it. and it only of
them all has beeu directly complained of
to this department. Warfare ceaseless
and relentless Bliould be made upon them
al! through the legally constituted chan-
nels and tribunals of the state until their
existence shall become but a lingering
though 'retful memory of the times
when ns preying parasites they fed upon
the fruits of honest industry and their un-
satisfied avarice extorted at pleasure for
its own emolument.
"That the sovereign power represented
in the state has the right through the
media of its legislatures and courts to
regulate these combinations whether
they have corporate existence or are
merely voluntary associations of individ-
uals is now a certainly established princi-
ple. Before courts can take cognizance
there must be the premise of precedent
legis'.atic-. " There must be something
for the courts to construe 'ihis some-
tHne is the legislative enactment. In
this particular the place of venue is of
prime importance. Hence it is apparent
that these enactments should have ex
pression in plain and uneqivocal language
such as is not capable ot doubttui inter-
pretation but is in all respects prepared
to stand the test of the most searching
judicial scrutiny. In speaking of these
trusts and their pernicious control of the
commerce of the country it may not be
out of place to here refer to the National
Conoress or farmers wnicn was neid at
Indianapolis lnd. during the early tiays
of the month of November of this current
year. That body fiercely denounced all
trusts as deadly inimical to tne best in
terest of the people. The arguments of
facts is always simply unanswerable and
must always be convincing. One of the
speakers who addressed the congress on
this subject said: "Lon't ngnt ns one
thnt bents the sir. I have no patience
whatever with those people who are al-
ways beating the air. If you have some-
thing to antagonize out with it; specify
it; make your attacks directly. It must
lie so. if it is to be effective. If there
are abuses of any kind in legislation or
in the business of the country let us ux
the public eye upon them until we have
exposed the evil and then we can trnst
the country to make it richt. It is mis
chievous to denounce classes. If there
are trusts let us know it nnd bring legis-
lotion to bear upon them and then we
have accomplished something.' Now that
there are trusts everybody knows. That
thev are actually operating in the state
is the experience of both producers nnd
consumers in Texns. There nre none to
escape their hurtful touch. It is unpos
silli fnr nnvone to be so impervious ft
tlm Hlliiir nf their tentacles OS not to know
there nre trusts trusts for the purchase
at depressed prices and for the sale a
ivlmrliitnnt vi.liintions of nearly every
generally marketable commodity. The
mnt vnlnnble. indeed the bulk of these
commodities nre the products of farm
'niii. nrnrtnrers farmers are forced
to sell at cheap figures the fruits of their
own industry while as consumers iiicj
nre compelled to buy them back nt ruin
ouslv high rates according to the sched
ni.ia' nf urines nrrnnccd bv trust mnnipu
Intors. 'Let us bring legislation to benr on
them and then we have accomp.ishcd
something.'
"Texas is largely interested in cotton
...inir nnd. Iii fact yields nearly one-
third of the entire crop of thnt stnple
that is produced in the United States
Ti.io lu.ino true her neonle. of course
are directly involved in everything that
r..lntes to blunting growing marketing
nnd selling that commodity. The rule
of measurement and charges that are
enforced in foreign markets are import-
ant factors in determining the a'-onnt
of money returns coming to tho cotton
fmm of his product. I have .
; .?r;:.7:j i.. Ainnres made in
subjected in the course of its .transpor-
tation to distant markets ibis charge
is now. and 1 believe has always been
estimated at 6 per cent on the gross
weight. This rate was not perhaps origi-
nally considered excessive because tne
tie and bagging material then used was
much heavier than that which is now in
general use. It does not under these
circumstances seem right that tne oiu
charge of 0 per cent should still be opera-
tive. If that rate was a sufficient charge
when the tare was heavier it surely is
more than sufficient now that it is so
much lighter and the eottou Rrowur
should not be called-upon to pay charges
for tare that dues not ex st. 'Ihere fhou.d
be a diminution in these charges tor
tare proportionate to the diminution in
the extent of the tare itself. If these
charges for tare levied fifty years ago
were then adequately compensatory and
correct they are surely now in view or
decrease in the amount of actual tart
more than compensatory aud are incor-
rect. The charge for tare on a ;ij)p-poiinU
uuiu i ". r ..ir.h
to the producer 4b9 pounds tor "J""1
he is paid on a 500-pound bale ow
the average weight of ties anu f
which is the tare on a bale of cotton
l.nln nf eotton IS HI POUI1UB. im
uiier nciug ""v" r- 1nia
pounds a diuereuce 01 bu.v i -per
bale in favor of the cotton grower
as against the charges exacted of him
on the same account in favor of the pur-
chaser and to thnt extent is a loss to
the farmer which he could not in any
equitable sense be required to sustain.
It is to the extent of 10 pomi P" H"10'
innking him pay for something that does
not exist. It may be thought by some
that I am dealing with small things. But
'come let us reason together' taking the
cotton crop of last year in Texas as our
basis and it was the shortest crop raised
for years in this state. It amounted to
l.SOO.OOO bales selling on nn average
at 0 cents per pound. Now charging
against each bale the fictitious tare of
31 pounds instead of 21 it will be at
the aggregate loss
to Texas cotton farmers on even mo
short crop of lust year was very great.
no less than $1440000. The crop of
iwu wnnlrl show a loss of over $2000.-
000 that the farmer was entitled to. Anx-
ious to get nt the true inwardness of tins
condition in cotton matters I in July
1805 wrote to Hon. J. Sterling Mor-
ton secretary of the United States de-
partment of agriculture on the subject
and received reply as follows:
" 'United States Department of Agri-
culture. Washington. 1). C. Hon. A. J.
r; . . :it
Kow Commissioner of Agrie. Iture etc
Austin lex. August 1 .m.
Dear
Sir Replying to your letter ot tne ;nn
ultimo in reference to the tare deducted
from the weight of cotton bales I re-
gret to say that the department of agri-
culture is unable to answer the inquiries
you make. It is quite probable that
either the bureau of statistics of the
treasury department or the commission-
er of customs would be able to furnish
you some information on this subject.
Mr. Alfred B. Shepperson. secretary of
the New York Cotton Exchange is also
an nuthority on such matters. Respect-
fully yours
"'J. STERLING MORTON. Sec.'
"I subsequently wrote to Mr. Edward
R. Towers nnd to Mr. Alfred B. Shep-
person both of the' New York Cotton
Exchange and promptly received replies
as follows:
" 'New York Cotton Exchange New
York. June 3 1890. Hon. A. J. Rose
Commissioner of Agriculture etc. Aus-
tin Tex: Denr Sir Your favor of the
20th ultimo came duly to hand. I hnve
investigated the subject and learn that
the tare on a OOO-pound bale of cotton in
iverpool would be dl pounds provided
there were eight iron bands: that is to say
the net weight the buyer pays for on the
scales lor a OOO-pound bale would be 4ul)
pounds. Yours truly.
" 'JSJJWAUD K. I'UWliUS
" 'Superintendent.'
" 'Cotton Exchnnge Building. New
York June 25 18SX1-A. J. Rose Esq.
Commissioner of Agriculture of Texas:
Dear Sir Your letter of May 20 to
the bureau of statistics of the treasury
department in Washington having been
referred to me by the chief clerk ot tne
bureau of statistics for reply I beg to
say that all cotton is sold in Liverpool
upon net weight and that in order to ar-
rive at the net weight of a bale of cotton
the following deductions nre made from
its gross weight: Two (2) pounds for
draft. The actual weight of th iron
bands or ties. After making these de
ductions four (4) nounds for each 11.
pounds is deducted for tare or weight of
bnceinc. and the remainder is the net
weight of the cotton upon wnicn pay
ment is made. Should the bands or ties
weigh over 9 pounds then such excess is
to be deducted for the bands. If the
weight of the bagging is fonnd to exceed
four (4) pounds per 112 pounds the buyer
is entitled to make a claim for sucn ex
cess. The bands are not weighed trom
every bale of cotton but it is the custom
to weigh only a few bales from the snip-
ment and take their average as the a vor-
age weight of the entire lot. As n mat
ter of custom when cotton is sold in tnis
country to parties in Liverpool it is al
most nniversnl practice to allow 6 per
cent from the American gross weight to
cover the deduction for the bands and
bngging. It is also usually understood
that the American shipper guarantees
that the gross weight upon landing in
Liverpool shall not be more man i per
cent less than the Americnn weight. Hop-
ing that this infornintion will meet your
requirements l remain yours very truly
"While this prevailing charge for tare
is exorbitant it is nevertheless the arm.
trarv imposition of foreign dealers liv
ing and doing business in foreign muus.
1 am ".ware tnat a state government n
powerless to correct the abuse. Rctnhn
tory legislation in such matters is not
pesiblc for a state. I refer to this par-
ticular subject for the purpose only of
bringing home to the knowledge of cur
cotton planters the fact of the unjust ex
action to which they are subjected nnd
in hope thnt once awakened to it the
neonle may possibly through congression
nl agency and international arrangement
effect a change winch in its terms woulc
be unjust to neither the producer nor
purchaser but fair to a.l.
"Referring again to the publication
agricultural and kindred statistics.
recommend monthly nnd quarterly issu
ance of bulletins in addition to annual re
ports and thnt these last he compiled
from fhe bulletins instead of being pre
pared nnd published ns tney now are. r
facilitate the seasonable pub.ication
these bulletins as well as to assure thei
reliability nil state nnd county official
and all common carriers of freight.
whether corporate or otherwise and all
citizens should by express statutory com
inn ml be required to furnish under oath
such information as may be desired of
them by the commissioner and. in case of
inability to furnish it to explain under
onth the reason of such inability. To the
commissioner should be left the selection
of correspondents in every section of the
stnte to assist him with their information
as to the condition of stock the acreage
of crops and their probable yields as mdi-
ented by prospects nt the time the in-
formation is returned to the department.
Liverpool and othet ' foreign -1C Iftries of the state for it 1
account of what is called ; tare. on cotton prou g r
The tare on eotton is the weigh or me " iJf the nubile the best obtn n- '
ties and bagging that V6 ivhu-h able record of stock and crop and other
tiftinir the cotton from damage to w hitli au e """ ui w.Umr n i
".ui the... cotton would be nueiy iiiuusmu. " V 1
The adoption ana
of this method wouiu soon cu.ist iue cum.-
utnto Hv maintaining a system
change the commissioner could also ob-
tain from other states bulletins showing
the conditions there. This would enable
him in the bulletin issued by him to keep
the people of Texas informed as to the
possibilities and probabilities of results in
other sections of the country in all .mat-
ters of products wherein their iLterests
are coincident with ours. This method
would also permit the commissioner to
have the annual report published much
earlier in each year than is now possible.
"In conclusion I desire to express my
sincere appreciation to the many farmers
throughout the state who responded so
promptly to inquiries made to them for
information in regard to acreage condi-
tions nnd other statistics.
"in niimtiMii lii Liu? tttriii'im uuiuuijiiu-
fn thu annnnrt nf the. rtmrtmellt
":;; V::
priation should be made and especially
set aside for the agricultural bureau to
be used in increasing the number of ex-
hibits nnd for preserving those already
.. . i tiu in . o oil
ou iimiu. i.i.r. in an iiiw ciuu "
s instructive feature of the department.
i. n iiuiiifi nun intri in Lu-uunaiiuu ui un liic .
utnro f v inn in in in j ijk u O Trjiuui vi tv i
The collection of exhibits now on hand ""euuments nave been suggested and ao-
is valuable and attractive and the out- cepted from time to time during the prog
lay necessary for its preservation would res of negotiations but it is cow -
be no waste of money. Thousands of
people who visit this department in the
course of each year and view its speci-
mens of Texas productions express their
astonishment at the variety quantity
nnd quality of these productions. Nor
nre these expressions confined to visitors
from other states and foreign countries.
They are the utterances also of our own
citizens woo eui.ie iw uusiuina ur pitruff-
ure from different points in the state.
With a small appropriation it can be
made a credit nnd a pride in proof of
the state's great capabilities.
'Another important subject which is
in close kinship with the agricultural
aud industrial development of our state
and to which I now briefly invite your
attention is that of the public roads.
That some other system than that which
is now operative in the state should be
formulated is I think apparent to every
one who has given the subject a thought.
It is not necessary to present arguments
in behalf of a change. The condition of
the roads nt all times and in all sea-
sous is of itself convincing evidence of
the necessity for improved system.' If
I mistake not it is clearly the wish of
the people that there should be radical
reform in these regards. A number of
preseutative citizens assembled in con
vention at Galveston and were in ses-
sion for several days during lust sum-
mer considering this subject and devis-
ing menus and methods for improve-
ment. The results of their deliberations
ill lie made known to the legislature at
its approaching session. The recommen-
dations nnd suggestions then to be of-
fered obviate the necessity of any ex-
tended argument from me in this con-
nection. My desire is to make in this
but a brief allusion to the existing ne-
cessity for change and to ask your co-
operation with efforts that nre now be-
ug made to effect it.
"In conclusion I desire to express my
sincere appreciation to the many farmers
throughout the state who responded so
promptly to inquiries made to them for
information in regard to acreage con-
ditions nnd yield of crops. '
I wish also to express my apprecia
tion to the several clerks of the depart
ment for their continued interest iu the
several branches of the work."
IMMIGRANTS DETAINED.
New York. Dec. 23 Of the 511 pas
sengers that the Ifrench steamer I'atria
brought to this port today 200 were de-
tained at Ellis Island by order of the im
migration authorities. Most of the de-
tained immigrants nre Italians who
boarded the ship at Naples on Decem
ber 5.
Dr. Jenkins and others said they were
the most undesirable lot of immigrants
that have reached these shores in a long
time.
WALKED FROM OCEAN TO OCEAN.
New York. Dec. 23. Mrs. II. Estby
and her daughter 19 years old the trans-
continental pedestrians completed the
journey from Spokane WaBh. to this
city at 1:30 this afternoon. They left
the western city on May 5 on a wager
with a New York woman that they could
not cross the continent in less than seven
months.
ANOTHER WIFE LISTED.
Chicago Dee. 23. Mary Dawson Mc-
Laffery was pronounced by a jury in
Judge Dunn's court yesterday to have
been the legal wife of John McCaffery
at the time of his death in 1894. and was
entitled to a share in his estate. Mc-
Caffery died worth about $1000000 and
nnd hve wives most of them by common
law marriages. He lived with his last
wife for over forty years.
Mary Dawson it appears was mar
ried to him in Ireland over fifty years
ago. They came to America after two
or three children were born. Her pres-
ent home is in Virginia.
A DANGEROUS TniNG AFLOAT.
Helena. Ark.. Dec. 23. A section nf
the immense willow mattress made by
the government fleet at this point broke
away tins atternoon at a oclock and is
now floating down the river. The sec-
tion is 300 feet in size nnd mny prove
a dangerous obstruction to boats down
the river. The mattress broke in two in
the middle owing to very stiff current at
the point where it was being sunk.
REFUSED TO GRANT BAIL.
HuntsvlUe. Tex. Dec. 23. (Special.)
The taking of evidence in the examining
trial of Jo Darter was completed yes-
terday and Justice Harper took the case
under advisement last night with the re-
sult of refusing the defendnnt bail today.
District Judge Smither being nt home
a writ of habeas corpus was nt once sued
out which'cnme on for hearing at 1:30
this afternoon.
After henring same Judge Smither re-
fused to grant bail. Notice of appeal
was given by applicant to court of crim-
inal appeals. -
THE MATE WAS DROWNED.
Galveston Tex. Dec. 23. (Special.)
Word has been received here thnt the
mate of the yacht Reva was drowned at
Point Isabel Inst week. The information
nt hand is to the effect that the mate nnd
four of the crew were crossing the bar
when their bont capsized. The life sav-
ing crew went to their rescue and saved
the four men but the' mate was lost.
The Reva is a pleasure yacht brought
down here from New York under char-
ter for Mr. Joseph Leiter. a young Chi-
cngo mi'.lionnire who with a party took
her to the westward on a hunting and
fishing trip.
PASSED THE MILLION MARK.
Galveston. Tex.. Dec. 23. fSnociaU
Receipts of cotton at this port pnssed the
million mark today and from this time
forward it will take seven -figures to ex-
press the port's receipts. This day one
year ago. the receipts aggregated only
0110.564 bales showing nn increase this
season to date of 364.344 bnles the ex-
act figures for tod being 1003908
bales.
THE ANGLO-AMERICAN ARBITRA
TION WILL BE PRESENTED
TO CONGRESS SOON. . .
Senators Iloar and Hale Will Lead the''''
Opposition Reciprocity Will Not Be
Overlooked in Republican Tariff
Measures Other Items.
vv nurnnutnri i inn TV (
. ' . IS 0U
'nK any doubt that the arbitration
treaty between the United States amf
Great Britain is practically completed to
the satisfaction of both government.
it8 presentation to congress muv h
- . . ex-
nectecl in tho nonr fntnm C. i .
' - uunor
noently believed that the clear cp;
which was forwarded to Lord Salisbury
by Sir Julian Pauncefote about a week
ago will at once receive the formal ap-
proval of the British premier aud be re
turned to W ushington in time to be pre
sented to the committee for ratification
immediately upon the reassembling of
congress after the holidnys. As already
outlined exclusively in the Associated
Tress dispatches the life of the treaty
is made very short only five years but
this is with the expectation of a renewal
for a longer period if it shall prove to
work well aud also to afford easy oppor-
tunity for amendment. Its purpose ia to
dispose peaceably and honorably of such
questions as arise between the United
States and Great Britain and will not
admit of the adjustment by the ordinary
methods of diplomacy excluding ques-
tions involving the national houur. The
personnel of tiie arbitruiiun couimissiou
is to be of the highest character; men se-
lected from the judiciary of each country
three from each side aud. provision is
made nguinst a failure thriiiiirh a tie vnt.
by the bringing in of ati umpire.
Neither the Venezuelan question nor
the Behring sea issue nre to go before
this commission but its first work will
probably be to close up the Alaskan
boundary controversy and some other is-
sues of minor interest but real import-
ance. FAVOR RECIPROCITY.
Washington Dec. 23. The attention of
Chairman Dingley of the wuyg and
means committee having been called by
n dispntch from Washington stating that
the eastern members of that committee
led by Chairman Dingley are nut dis
posed to look with favor upun reciproc-
ity in framing a new tariff he said:
"There is not the slightest foundation
for the statement so far as I know and
believe. While the matter has been
only slightly discussed yet I have not
observed any material difference of opin-
ion. On the contrary all the republican
members of the committee nre in favor of
goinrr nn fnr nn the McfCinley tariff doim
on the subject and further if practi-
cable."
THERE WILL BE OPPOSITION.
Washington Dec. 23. Senator Hale
has received n letter from Senator Hoar
who is absent from the city announcing
his opposition to the Cuban resolutions
aud asking Senator Hale to puir with
him. -
Senator Hale who is expected to lead
the opposition to the Cuban resolutions
in the senate is preparing for the conflict
which he expects to follow the holiday
recess.
It is the general understanding that the
question will be the first raised after the
convening of congress.
"I was sorry to see" said the senator
"that I had been quoted as saying in a
boastful manner that we should be able
to defeat the resolution on a vote i
would not want to clnim the result at
the present time but 1 hope for it in the
end. Indeed I am receiving assurances
from influential senators every day of
sympathy in tho movement in opposition
to the resolutions nnd I believe the sen-
timent in tho country is rapidly teering
thnt. way. Of course there are meeting
and resolutions on the other side but one
can gather men together in advocacy of
any cause and get signatures. to almost
any kind of petition. My coiiti"Jioi w Jj
thnt the business men nnd thinkiiifenen
ot tne country are opposed to any step
which is liable to plunge the country into
war. In my own state for instance then
is only one prominent newspaper which
advocates the course advised by the ten-
ate committee on foreign relations.
"We have gone through a campaign in
which we have promised peace to the
country. It is inconsistent to present the
incoming administration with a war on
the threshold of it. existence. Tree
there is an undesirable condition of af-
fairs in Cuba but I Mieve the report
to be exaggerated.. At any rate it w
true that however cruel the conduct of
the Spanish troops it finds its counter-
part in the behavior of the Cubcmy It
is their way of fighting."
"It has been intimated" suggested the
Associated Press reporter with whom
Senator Hale wns tnlking "that yon will '
filibuster to defeat the Cameron resolu-
tion in the senate."
"No truth whatever in that" respond-
ed the senntor.
AGAINST LOUD POSTAL' BILL.
Publishers and Paper Mnnunnetarera
Meet and H""'ter a Kiek.-
' 1
New York. Dec. k. A meeting of nsh.
Ushers nnd paper manufacturers was bekl
today for the purpose of taking action
against the Loud postal bill now pending
in congress. This bill aims to take all
novels nnd periodicals out of the second
elnss. This means an increase in postage
of from 1 cent per pound to 8 cents.
Among thoe represented at the meeting
were the Century the Review of Re-
views the Metropolitan magazines the
Forum McClure's Munsey's the Cosmo-
politan Peterson's -the North American
Review nnd all of the publishing houses
that print weekly papers devoted to cheap
literature. A committee was appointed
to work ngainst the bill which was con-
dnmnnrl on "rnnnlinnnrr ill IllimOSe Shd
inimical to the interests of all putuisners i
nf nor i nil inn I a anrl tn tlin flllKMl tradCS Ot 1
Dnper makini. ceriviug stereotyping
printing binding" etc.
It was declared that it must throw out
nf employment nn enormous number of
men women nnd children now engaged in
production of periodicals and in their
delivery.
DIED FROM SC.VLDS.
Colmesneil. Ter.. tw. 2 neW
The 14-months-old child of Frank Seta-
rail living three miles from here uied
frem scalds received last Thursday from
a vessel of boiling water falling off the
stove.
1
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Austin Weekly Statesman. (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 26, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 31, 1896, newspaper, December 31, 1896; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth278832/m1/12/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .