The Galveston Daily News. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 49, No. 31, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 29, 1890 Page: 2 of 8
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THE QALVqSTON DAILY NEWS, THURSDAY, MAY 20,
1890.
ANOTHER BIG GUN FIRED
MR. HAUL OPENS HIS CAMPAIGN
IN EARNEST.
Tils Vlowi on tl»« Regulation of nnllrondii
tlio Preservation and Care of l*ublio
Domain, tho School Fund, Coo*
federate Home, Etc.
McKiysKT, Tox., May SS. -Hon. R. M.
Hall, state land commissioner anil a candi-
date for tlio democratic nomination of gov-
ernor, spoke hero to-day. He said:
Fellow Citizens: Some three weeks ago it
Was announced to the people of Texas that
your distinguished fellow citizen, Governor
Throckmorton, had been compelled by ill
health to retire from the race for governor.
This announcement carried distress to mo
ns it did to a vast majority of the democrats
of Texas. This man, whose whole life since
his boyhood had been constant testimonial
of his patriotism and love of Texas, a iifo
earnest and faithful, devoted to furthering
lie best interests, has won the confidence
and ailcctions of the whole people of this
great state and no man stands higher.
With him for governor I knew that tho
people's liberties and interests would be
Bafe. I knew that tho continued prosperity
of the state was assured. That tho name
aud reputation of Texas would be
magnified on earth and that tho
conlidenca of tho world in her
*vould be established. I knew that
her progress and development would be
accelerated and advanced. I knew that the
happiness of the wholo people would bo
secure. For these reasons, regardless of
luy feelings of personal alt'ectiou for him, I
was for him for governor without mental
reservation. But the decree of providence
lias made it impossible for the people of
Texuf toplace the reins in his hands. Know-
ing this aud believing that there was pre-
sented to me an opportunity to indulge an
honorable ambition, and Rt the same time
to serve Texas nnd advance the interests of
her people, to advance the interests of de-
mocracy and aid in the perpetuation of Its
principles in their original purlt/, which is
essential in my judgment to the preserva-
tion of the liberties handed down to us by
our father*. Helieving, as I told my fellow
citizens in Williamson county the othor
di.y, that the triumph of democracy is the
hope of Texas, t'.ie hope of our union, tho
hope of the human race, I concluded for
a few weeks to devote myself to this
end. Two weeks ago I announced
as a candidate for the democratic nomi-
nation for governor, and I will say again
as 1 did in my opening speech, that for this
action X have no apology to make but that
under the constitution of my country I
have tho right to run for governor. Four
yoars ago I conceived the idea that should I
present myself before the assembled repre-
sentatives of the democrats of Texas and by
presenting testimonials that I was a demo-
crat, that I was a good citizen, that I was
not unqualified for the place I sought, I
might receive tho nomination for commis-
sioner of the general laud office. This I did
and by acclamation, following swiftly the
conclusion of the lirat ballot, the convention
in Galveston conferred upou mo the honor
I sought. How 1 have kept the trust given
me by tho people in the November follow-
ing is a matter of record. The results are
there to uhow for themselves. I do not wish
to appear as commending myself for merely
doing my duty, but being your servant
there is no impropriety in my reporting
here something of my stewardship.
Tho land matters of our state, as vou nro
aware, wore in a condition of confusion;
discontent and disapproval of the laws and
methods then existing were universal
throughout the state. The legislature mot
this condition and enacted laws the execu-
tion of which has wrought a wondroue
change. Tho most important of these laws
it was my special duty to execute. The
lease system, under tho old law, was an
acknowledged failure. To use tho expres-
sion of my predecessor iu office, it had
"rithered in anight." I11 1667 there was
still a demand, however, that citizens-and
corporations who appropriated the public
lands, tiio lands belonging to the whole
people, to their use, should be- required to
pay for the same. There are lease* to-day
of tho public luuds in round numbers 8,000,-
000 acres, producing on annual rental for
school purposes of $800,000, saving
this much taxation, which otherwise
would have to be raised by taxing the whole
people. There have been sold monthly
since Ausust, ISSi), about 1,850,000 acres of
land at the average price of about £2 20 per
acre, thus adding each mouth about $150,000
to the permanent school fund. Recently
With improved conditions and greater pros-
perity these sales have largely increased.
Last month there were sold more than 137,-
000 acres of laud at an average price of !>2 34
per acre, which added to the permanent
school fund iu one month over $320,000.
Nearly all these lands you will remember
were sold to actual settlers. All except
some in the old counties where remnants
heretofore refused tinder all tho laws pro-
viding for their disposition bavo been left
because unfit for homes. The sales last
mont h represent new homes in tho west for
about 300 settlers, most of whom were heads
of families. Voters enough, in other
V7ords, to have organized two new
counties if they had been gathered together.
It has been my aim iu the administra-
tion of the land office to deny no one his
legal right. I have also labored to the end
that no man nor corporation should have
anything they were not legally entitled to.
In a department of such immense business
it is inevitable that some mistakes will be
made. Iu a department whoso business re-
quires the constant service of fifty clerks or
more it would be remarkable if some slight
inconsistencies in official acts or rulings
should not occur occasionally, Out it grati-
fies mo to state that so far as reported to
the office but one patent issued during my
administration has been canceled by the
courts, and that patent I demanded for can-
cellation within a month after its iscuauce.
In three or four other cases I have discov-
ered that the ollice was in error in the is-
suance of pat'.nts, or rather that the ollico
was misled by false testimony. The attor-
nsy-general's department lias been request-
ed to bring suit to cancel those patents.
PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND.
At the present rate, fellow citizens, there
must soon be a vast accumulation of money
in the state treasury belonging to the per-
manent school fund. There is iytng there
to-day more than half a million doliais,
which money is withdrawn from circula-
tion. Under the present provisions of the
constitution the legislature has uo power to
Invest this fund except in bonds of the
United States, those of the state of Texas,
or counties in this state. The fact that there
is $500,000, aud more, now piled up in the
treasury at Austin for which there is no
call, drawing no interest and withdrawn
from circulation, shows the necessity of
Bonio other method being devised for its
utilization. Unless this is done this fund
will continue to increase. The plan I here
suggest cau only be carried out by
amending the conslitution. This plan
for safety and good results will
commend itself to every citiren
of tho state, i'he faults of past laws pro-
viding for the disposition of the public do-
main, and e"cn for the sale of school lands,
has enabled the consolidation of lauds iu j
large bodies, and millions of acres are so !
held to- 'iy. Especially under the act of i
1881 aud the earlier sales under the act of I
1883, whereby one purchaser was permitted |
t>> acquire seven sections, and with tho as- |
ei&tanea of fr:- nds and relatives was en- '
nbled to make this seven times seven, and i
thus vast bodies of laud were acqtfired. It
is true the state gets her money to- it, but, j
it was a mistaken policy. The one oliject !
then seemtd to be tu get rid of the public I
lands. It is useless to crv over spilt milk,
nnd the state niut' standby her contracts, i
"VVhut I here suggest would gradually repair j
this evil. What investment is safer for |
the permanent school fund than good lauds j
in Texas upou which her own citizens may \
make homes. liere on the borders of our ]
Ovrn county, fellow-citizens, to illustrate j
What I v Ish to say to you, is a ranch of i
aijout i)0,000 acres. Nearly every acre of !
thhf is fertile. If the owner of that prop- 1
nrty would consent to sell it to the state at
a fair price and the state should buy It for
tho permanent school fund nnd then sell it
iu tracts of 80 acres to the citizens of the
state who are heads of families and require
them to he actual settlers for u given time,
how many homos would be ou that domain
in six months? Uiviug them 80 acres apiece
250 families could there be provided for.
Sell to these settlers on forty years' time at
5 per cent interest per annum, the same rate
prescribed for the disposition of tho school
lands. This single transaction would
provido for one fifth of the home-
less renters of Collin county to-day.
Sell this land to no one who already has a
homo or owns laud in the state, but ns tho
pre-emption law prescribes; let it be
to citizens of Texas, to homeless citizans of
Texas and to none other. Do you not
sec, fellow citizens, how this method would
multiply the usefulness of this fund, how
it would aid in building up ami developing
the country, how it would bring back to
tho settler these largo tracts of land which
may otherwise lie idle for years, ami the
school fund to this extent is invested safely
at a good interest for forty years. 1 would,
however, give the settler after two years oc-
cupancy the right to a deed from the state
on payment of the principal outstanding,
when the samo money may be used for tho
benefit of other settlers, and used repented-,
ly again ami again uutil Texas shall have
10,000,000 of people, every citizen of
whom wo desires may have a home
of his own. This proposition is
in Btrict accord with the best interests and
safety of the state. These transactions cau
bo hedged around and-guarded until no
risk is incurred at all. This is In strict ac-
cordance with business principles. Govern-
ment properly administered is business, my
fellow citizens, aud Bhoulil bo so regarded.
Government is an arraugement for the con>-
venienceof the citizen, for the protection of
every citizeu and every interest, audi beg
ou to remember, fellow citizens, that the
(M
advanced by one interest or class making
happiness aud welfare of the people is uot
war on anothei, but rather by the co oper-
ation of every class of evory interest for
the gonerul good.
KAIUiOAD REGULATION.
The question of all others now disturb-
ing the minds of the peoplo of Texas, the
ono of paramount importance, a question
that agitates this state from border to
border, is tho quostiou of railroad regula-
tion. Forty years ago there was not a mile
of railroad in Texas. The vast domain
west of tho Mississippi river from the gulf
to the British possessions wac without rail-
roads. Railroads were regarded as a neces-
sity. Tho policy of every party, the uni-
versal demand of the people of every class
aud condition at that time was that rail-
roads be secured for the development of
this vast aren. So Important was this re-
garded that without looking with sufficient
caro, perhaps, to tho future many faults
were committed to Induce their construc-
tion. Money subsidies, land subsidies and
laws too liberal because not providing for
future contingencies were passed. The
railroads bavo been built ami the west is
groat. Texas has advanced mainly through
iholr agency until now she feels herself an
empire. Tho question now is for the future.
It is evident that the railroads of Texas aro
not run in the interest of her peoplo as
they should be. Hut, fellow civizeus, comiug
to tho consideration of this question lie
calm and deliberate. The happy solution
of the question is essential to the fuSuro
welfare of the state. Tho wcs'.ern half of
our state is still practically without rail-
ioads. No section of tho state has as many
as It needs for its groatest prosperity and
thorough development. This is a business
problem before ns. It is a question in which
passion nut prejudice should cut no
figure and have noplace. Money invested
in railroads is as much entitled to protec-
tion as money invested iu any other lawful
enterprise. While lawyers may write nnd
theorize as to the legal relnt ons of rail-
roads to the state tho common sense citizen
knows that it takes tho money of the citi-
zen io build them. Theeommoti Benso citi-
zen also knows thnt if such investments as
these are unprofitable, especially if the
stato should manifest an inclination or
willingness to unjustly harass this class of
investment and iropuir iis value, that tliQ
citizens of the world will hereafter with-
hold their monev from such investments in
Texns. As I said before, this is a business
question upon the happy solution of which
depends the general prosperity of the state,
tho welfare of the whole people. Fellow
citizeus, tho man who appeals to passion or
prejudice; appeals to any thing but your
pense of right and justice iu this matter,
insults your intelligence, and that man
loves himself more than ho loves Texas or
her people. Tho indulgence of feelings of re-
sentment or revenge will do no goo t; it will
but blind our judgment and unfit us for the
task before us. For this reason it is better,
perhaps, that I have not been a candidate
for governor for three or four years, but
have spent my time, euch time as I had to
spa'e, in studying this subject nud cnliuly
considering it, rather than in compiling
lists of the sins and iuiquities of railroads.
I insist that this question is before our
party for settlement and it mus': meet
the issuj bravely. Being a candidate
for your support my views on this
subject you must know. Forgetting that
which is past. and looking forward with de-
termination to the future, loi us see to it
thnt wrongs shall cense. That oppressiou
of any cla h or interest by nny other class or
interest shall be heard oi no more in Texas.
Fellow citizens, it is a remarkable fact that
every kind of injustice, thatevory sin on the
pa.'t of railroads now complained of by the
people is fo"bidden by your laws,. Discrim-
ination, exortiou, tho issuance of watered
bonds or stocks, which are the crying evils,
r.To all forbidden, are all contrary to your
laws and heavy penalties aro provided. Did
the tune permit I would quote thesa laws,
but perhaps it is not necessary hero. Why
has nut suit been brought against the
railroads for these offenses? If any attor-
ney general or district attorney has ever
convicted a railroad for discrimination in
freight rates I have never heard of it. As
far us I am aware uo attorney-general or
district attorney has ever brought suit
against a railroad company alleging purely
discrimination in freight rates. If any at
torney-generat in Texas has ever canceled a
watered bond or fictitious sharo of stock I
have never heard of it. No attorney-general,
so far as I know, has over brought and suc-
cessfully prosecuted a suit to cancel watered
bonds and stocks. Can it bo true, fellow-
citizens, ;h it no watered bonds and stock
have been issued on Texas railways? Is this
protest against this thing frjm the people
without cause, or has Home one failed to do
his duty? Section (J, article 12. of our consti-
tution says: "No corporation shall issue
stock or bonds except for money paid, labor
done or property actually received, and all
fictitious increase ot stock or indebtedness
shall bo void." Your legislatures, fellow
citiz-ns, bavo provided by proper statutes
for the enforcement of this mandate of the
constitution. Why. I nsk, has it not been
done? It is perfectly evident that the peo-
ple of Texas are uot satisfied with the re-
sults under the laws now in force provid-
ing for tiie regulation of railroads. It is
also plain that some change is demanded to
secure to the people prompter and more ef-
ficient remedies. A railroad corporation
violating tho laws of tho state should cer-
tainly he punished with the same prompt-
ness as is a citizen.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE.
To me, fellow citizens,it is clearly indicat-
ed that the present government machinery
is inadequate, at least it can not be relied on.
What should be done now is the question. I
insist that it, is the duty of the democratic
party to say what shall be done. In deter-
mining what means are best to secure the
realization of tho present demand of tjho
people the conditions peculiar.to Texas, as
well as conditions common to her ami other
states, must be considered. It must not l>g
forgotten that Texas is out a part of th's
great union of states and has no power to
control rates except such as aro purely
local, • that is within her own bor-
ders, from the point of shipment
to tho point of destination, Caro
should be taken to avoid conflict with tho
federal laws regulating commerce. It is
essential, peril,-ins, to steer clear of a col-
ii-don with the United States judicial au-
thority, the encroachments of wi'.ich are
now the subject of grief and dread to tho
democratic patriot. The proper regulation
of railroads la a demand front the people.
In considering this eubjoct and devising
plans for ltd accomplishment it should lie
constantly insisted upou thnt the railroads
of Texas, railroads which she has subsi-
dized aud protected, aud proposes still to
protect, must bo run in the interest of
Texas rather than In the Interest of com-
munities, cities and markets out-
side. I believe this can be sc-
oured without any violation of
justice or good faith. In my judgment this
can be done by establishing by legislative
enactment such a relation between local
rntes (by local rates I moan rates within the
state) and interstate rates us will bo equita-
ble and fair. It cannot he disputed that
the railroads of Texns heretofore have been
run in the interest of Industrie* north nnd
east of us rather than iu tho interest of
similar enterprises in Texas. It is well
known, aud I have seen It myself, how an
enterprise In Texas competing with one of
the same character located in St. Louis or
Chicago may bo starved aud throttled by
discrimination In favor of the lat-
ter place A discrimination for which
the state authority may llnd a remedy
in the manner I here suggest. Let Texns
say through her legislature the local rate
for fifty miles or less shall be no uioto per
pound or per car per mile than three times
the rate for the same class of freight from
the most favored point outside of the stuto
to tho same point of destination iu Texas.
For instunco, say it is a thousand miles
from St. Paul to McKlnney and the rate of
a given article is $1 per 100 pounds. This
would be 5 cents per 100 pounds for a dis-
tance of fifty miles. Now say that from
Denison to McKinuey it is fifty miles; now
tlnee times five aro fifteen, which under the
rule here laid down would bo the rate
from Donlson to McKlnney ou this
article of freight per 100 pounds.
Tho present maximum rate in Texas fixed
by law is 50 cents por 100 pounds per 100
miles. That a rate for more than 50 uiiles,
aud uot more thau 100 miles, shall uot be
more than twice ns much as to a given
point in Texas thau the rato on the same
article from tho most favored point outside
of Texas to the same destination here. For
a distance o! 200 miles to 300 tulles say one
and a haU* times, and for a haul of over 800
miles tho rate shall be no more in Texas
than is tho interstate rate. Some abate-
ment might be allowed railroads iu sparsely
so! tied portions of tiie state where business
Is light; some allowance might be mada
on short hauls; .'or loading and unload-
ing. The legislature meeting every
two years, or ofteuer if necessary, can make
adjustments to suit changcd conditions.
This will give mills in Texas a chance to
ship their flour and compete with mills in
Minnesota nnd Kansas. It will give the
corn raisor of Dallas a chance to ship his
product to Galveston or Laredo and com-
pote with liis rival north of Red river. A
manufacturer in any town in Texas can
distribute his goods and compete with the
world. Lot the legislature also from time
to time fix maximum ratoc and other stan-
dard rates, which will bj a further check.
It is hoped that tho agricultural p.-oducts
of the uorthoastern states will soon be
passing through Texas to deep water on our
coast. Such regulation as is hero proposfd
will enable our farmers to deliver their
grain, cottou and beef on board tho steam-
ers at a rato as favorable as will be enjoyed
by tho citizens of any other state. The
prospect of deep water should properly be
considered in connection with this subject.
With it will come competition by the con-
struction of new lines of railroad, which
lines must be constructed under la>V3 not
now in existence, but under laws which the
next legislature must pasd. Let the legis-
lature see to it in future that no railroad
bonds are issued without the authority of
the state. This will be an end of watered
bonds aud stocks. There will be no appeal
then to the federal courts by railroads
claiming tiie r ght to enru interest and
dividends on three or four times their
original cost, for the reason that the
old heavily bonded roads will have
to compete with new roads and new condls
tions under the control of the state. 'Oie
figures and comparisons 1 give here are not
claimed as safe or correct; they are simply
given by way of illustration. What tliose
figures should bo Is a mr.tter of study, re-
search nnd investigation by the legislature
and its committee'. "In addition tr> what i.«"
heretofore suggested, let tho legislature ap-
point a commission with purely executive
power. Dot it he tho duty of this commis-
sion to see to it that every law on the stat-
ute book is thoroughly enforced. Give this
coinmnion power of investigation to any
extent into the affairs of these corporations.
Let them place an expert in any railway-
office they may select, who cau re-
port to thorn specifically nnd fully
all the affairs of a given
corporation nnd the relation of that cor-
poration to thocommorceof the state. Thus
all these corporations would have uo secrets
from the people. If a servant of a railroad
refuses to answer questions propounded
make such refusal a misdemeanor and let
him be introduced to the nearest justice of
tho peace-or other tribunal for attention.
At tho cud of a few months after the ap-
pointment of such a commiasiou they will
be ready to make some valuable suggestions
to the governor of tho stato for transmis'-
slou to the legislature. 1 would go about
this business systematically, carefully, like
a business man, because it is business
purely. On violations of the law
by n corporation it should bo the
duty of this commission to taku
cognizance thereof, and with the
assistance of the law officers, local attor-
neys or the fittovuey-general punishment
Can bo made certain and swift. Such a
commission as this, fellow citizens, would
be no departure from tho form of govern-
ment now prescribed in our constitution.
It would be no blending of the three co-
ordinate branchis of tho government laid
down in said instrument, which brandies
are intended to and should be forever sepa-
rate, independent nnd distinct. Such a
commission, in my judgment, would do
wonders to secure to the peoplo what they
now demand by way of relief and protection
from discrimination and the unfair compe-
tition now forced upon us by our federal
relations aud the evident partiality of our
railroads for iuduHries aud markets outside
of Texas. Any other kiutl of a cominUsiou
in my judgment will result in disappoint-
ment nnd failure. These are but, my indi
vidual views. The question is a grave one,
nnd cau not he too carefully considered.
Useful results are what wo want, not dan-
irerous or radical experiments. Let there-
fore no malice, no appeal to passion, in-
fluence you on a question affecting as this
does the vital interests of tho state. It's
unnecessary to take time to hunt up oud
tabulate the sins committed in tho past. As
for rjo, I bavo no time for it. Had I been a
candidate longer it might have been
possible aud profitable for me to do
this. Tho eud for us to at-
tain is to see that these iniquities shall
cease; that wrongs shall exist no more if it
bo in our power to prevent it, and that op-
pression of any class or interest shall be
heard of no more in Texas. Let there bo
no more apprehension in the minds of any
one that Texas will indulge in the slighest
injustice in this matter. Tell the world
calmly but emphatically what we have
made up our miuds to do and let it be done.
Now, ill government there is ono question
ever recurring, a question that must arise
hs long as government lusts, a question af-
fectum intimately tho material welfare of
the people, the question of finauco and tax-
ation.
EQUAL TAXATION.
Jn the administration of government
there should be a constant effort to secure
tho greatest economy consistent with effi-
cient execution of the law. Our constitu-
tion says that taxation must bo equal and
uniform. Which means that no section of
our state should bear more thau its proper
share of the public burden.-. It means that
no class of our citizens should be oppressed
or favored in the collection of revenues
necessary for the support of the govern-
ment. Some plan should bo devised by
which laud or other property of a given
value in one rection of tho state should bo
taxed for state purposes at the same
rata as property of equal value iu
other sections. As it is now, primarily,
our citizen values his property for himself.
For many classes of property the citizen's
word must be taken under our laws. With
the commissioners' courts of the counties
constituting a board of equalization it is
their duty to see to it within the limit of
their Jurisdiction that the burden of taxa-
tion is equally distributed. This board
confines itself ordinarily to real estate and
live stock. It Is not incumbent upon the
citizen to value his land at what he is will-
ing to take for it, or even what he may be
able to sell it tor under favorable con-
ditions, and tho citizeu is not a perjurer
when he fails to do this, notwithstanding
high official dicta to the contrary. Under
our present laws relating to taxation
there is one glaring inequality,
unequal until It appears to ma to be oppres-
sion. I feel Hafe in appealing to tho sense
of justice iu tho bosom of every man prca*
ent, aud know that ho will agree with me
when I say that it Is not right for tho stnte
to tax a citizen for a section of land upon
which he hns made Ills home, as if that land
belonged to him when the state owns an
Interest of thlr;,y-nino-fortieths in the
same antl still resorves to herself the legal
title. Many of you, my fellow citizens,
have friends nnd uo'ghbors who, unable to
socuro a home hero whore tho lands are
high, have taken their little and gone *ve*t
with Iholr wives mid babies with the hope
of making provision for them by taklug
advantage of the opportunities offered
there. Nearly all ct these home seeker* are
poor men. They go out Into the wilderness
where there are uo schools, where markets
are distant, where everything that must be
bought sells for a high price; a region the
railroads have scarcely penetrated. They
go and are now going by hundreds from all
parts of Texas. Arrived there each (elects
his home, sny a section ot land belonging to
the state. The price is found to be uot less
than fi an acre. The settler discovers that
the law requires him to make an applica-
tion to the state to purchase this land be-
fore ho secures any protection from the
state In the possession of the samo or
any right of possession. He sends
his 1-40 to the stnte treasurer,
which is $32, gives the state his note for the
balance, f 1248, Tho land office is then re-
quired by law to place this land upon the
abstract iu tho name of tho purchaser. This
settlor has not been there long before ha is
discovered by tho assessor, who under the
law assesses his land as if it were the prop-
erty of this poor man, whilo us you See the
interest, of state in the same is ns thirty-nine,
to one. An I what I contend in this connec-
tion is that in assessing for taxation this
land and the Improvements put thereou by
this man the lien of the stato should be do-
ducted from its valuation. It is the duty of
the stato to encourage the settlement nnd
development of her unoccupied territory in
the west. Tho pioneer who converts a sec-
tion of this laud Into a farm and home Is a
public benefactor. In mnny cases the 12
per acre, tho minimum fixed by law, is a
Inrge price for the land. Certainly these
settlors' homes should not bi assessed for
taxation like they were theirs, but the
amount ot the state's lien as I have said
should be deducted from tho valuation.
Let the lnw sny that the state's lieu on land
sold under the acts of 1883-1887, and the net
amendatory of the latter passed in 1880,
shall be deducted fmrn tlio assessed value
of the same, at least for taxation for school
purposes. As it is now the state, whilo
still owning 29-30 or 39-40 of a section
of land, taxes the purchaser of snme
as if it wero nil his. This would
not be so grievously nujiiet If the money
thiiB raised was spentat home for the educa-
tion of toe children of tho county whore
paid. Br.t this Is not tho case. It is taken
thence and goes into the treasury at Austin,
whence it goes eastward to be expended in
counties remote, to tho upbulldfug of tho
tuj same and the proportional impoverish-
ment of tho section from which it came.
Let me cito a few examples: Childress coun-
ty paid into the stnte treasury according to
tho comptroller's lust report #1479. Sho re-
ceived from tho treasury $408, ono-half of
which, and a little more, was derived from
the land fund. In other words, whilo
Childress pays this amount into tho
treasury she receives of money raised by
taxation and has returned to her
nbout $200; that is to say Childress pays
into the state treasury for school purposes
more thau seven times as much tax money
r.s -he is permitted by the state to expend
no home for the education of her children.
Ton; Green county paid into the treasury
at AUftin abou' $7400 school iax and re-
ceived back thereof about SlikXX Jones
county contributed$2100, and was permitted
to give hor children tho benefit of about
$000. Frio county received back nbout one-
half of whnt she gave. Tnrrnnt was re-
quired to contribute about tfiOOO more tlinn
nor share, whilo Dallas, under home rule,
might have kept at home $17,000 which,
through the state treasury, de-
parted from her borders forover.
The lack of a law providing for
local taxation for school purposes compelled
Donley county to pay sixteen times as much
to the public schools of Texas as Texns al-
lowed here of money raised by taxation to
be used for that purpose at home. And so
It is to a greater or les3 extent in nearly
every county in tho western two-thirds of
tho state. Home rule and local self-govern-
ment are domocratio doctrines which should
apply whenever possiblo, especially in a
state ns largo and varied iu local conditions
as Texas. The settlers in the west have to
contend with difficulties of which the citi-
zens of more ndvancod and developed sec-
tions bavo no adequate conception. They are
generally poor people and the op-
portunities for profitable employment
aro fow indeed. The building of a school-
house iu Tom Green, Donley or Frio Is a se-
rious matter to tho neighborhood and costs
several times as much ns elsewhere iu tho
Btate, ami the taking of the scant means of
theso people aud the disbuislng cf it In sec-
tions already provided is not ouly uujust
but is unkind.
The school revenue necessary to supple-
ment the fund derived from lands, iuterest,
leases, etc., must be raised by taxation. If
this taxation should be raised locally and is
disbursed locally many advantages would
resulL. The western counties would soon
have comfortable school-houses for their
children. There would not then exist iu
any county the temptation and inducement
to get from the state and spend ns much ns
possible, but each county bearing its own
burdons the citizens who pay the taxes
will be watchful of expenditures, and thus
economy will be secured.
DISABLED CONFEDERATES.
Fellow-citizens, it is the duty of Texas to
make some instant provision for disabled
Confederate soldiers, men who at tho com-
mand of their stato went forth to battle for
what they believed to be right. Many of
these men to-day are broken iu health or
crippled in body. Many of them disabled
from woi.uds received now tsuch helpless
virtims of pain, privation and suffering
that, perhaps their comrades buried on the
field of battle are more fortunate
than they. I have Ruggesled a plan for
taking care of these bravo
old heroes which shouid give them imme-
diate relief; a plan which will impose uo
burden upou the finances of the state; u
plan the inauguration and consummation
of which involves no delay or waiting until
our organic law can bo amended by a vote
of the people. It is this: Texas has to-day
about 5,000,000 acres of public domain in
the extreme wostern part of the state. In
many places this laud is in largo bodies. In
K1 IV.su county alone there are as many
as 2,000,000 of acres. My observation as
commissioner of tho general land office
for three years past shows that
this land is in no demand for set-
tlement under tho laws providing for
the disposition of the public domain; there
is no call for it all. If elected governor I
shall recommend that 1,000,000 acres of this
land, more or less, be set apart for lease for
a term of years upon the best terms pro-
curable, tho revenue derived therefrom to
be donated to tiie maintenance of indigent,
and disabled confederate soldiers. It is sHfo
to say that this much of tnis land might be
devoted to this use for twenty years with-
out any serious detriment to any public in-
terest. I feel sure that were this done theso
worthy nnd helpless fellow citizens will
have friends enough among the stock-
men of Texas to see to it that
the old soldiers' land is not long
without a tenant. This will give imme-
diate relief to these grand old heroes, who
should not suffer while waiting for'private
generosity to furnish them with the iue«ns
Ctildrsn Cry forPitclier's Castoria
of subaiatenoe. I feel *are that large a* this
Assembly 1* you will all concur with me In
this. 1 feel certain that no protest will
come from any citizen of tho state. The
frequency with which tho dread destroyer
invades the home in Austin shows us that
we can indulge ourselves In this charity for
only a fow years. Thea< feeble old men lire
passing away, and let there bo no delay In
giving them tho assurance that we lovo
them, and giving them the solid comfort
and support they deserve. Tho land then
goes back to tho state to be disposed of as
the people may command.
THE SITUATION REVIEWED.
Fellow citizens, I have called your special
attention to the most important matters
now befcro the people. Fellow-democrats,
it is your duty to say how these questions
shall be met. It is our duty to say what
shall be done. It is the duty of each little
council of democrats when it meets In its
precinct to consider those questions. It is
the duty of the great council of our party
when it assembles in Snu Antonio next Au-
gust to meet these questions and pass upon
them. It must never adjourn uutil it has
spoken without equivocation, Every lcyal
democrat who is thero must recog-
nize that he individually has uo
monopoly of wisdom, but that the
old saying is true, "In a multitude of coun-
cil there is mnch - wisdom." Let uono but
democrats be there. When that convention
declares itself my iudividusl judgment is
overruled. If they indicate the character of
lnw that shall be passed, and I shall be
your gaternor, that law will be recom-
mended, nnd when adopted it will bo faith-
fully executed ns I have ability. It is a
matter of regret to me that anyone should
appeal to resentment, anger or any uugeu-
tle pnsslon of the citizen. I make no such
appeal. I shall make no appeal to any pas-
sion In tho breast of any democrat /txcopt
his noblest, his patriotism, his lovo of jus-
tice. his love of Texas, his love of the prin-
ciples of our grand old party, the triumph
of which principles is paramount.
When railroads shall have l>een super-
seded, possibly by means of transportation
as far superior to them a* they are to tho
methods of our grandfathers, democracy
will live then if she be true to herself,
't'bero may be democrats who havo felt It
their duty to rebuke county conventions.
Thero may be domocrnts whogg sense of
duty to county made it Impossible for them
to vote for an unworthy man In local af-
fairs, but, democrats of Collin, a man who
cast his vote against Sul Ross two years
ago has uo right to u voice in your councils
now, and wheu you call your little
councils togotber let such a man
know that in this present etnergencj
you need not His advice and that you have
no time to listen to him. I would havo de-
mocracy the educator of the people; If our
numbers aro reduced we cau stand it, but
uny compromise of principle 1* fatal, not
perhaps immediately, but it eventually
leads to disappointment, shame and dual
destruction. This will be the fnte of de-
mocracy iu Texas If it forgets its Immortal
mission and remembers on'.y expediency.
Fellow democrats, let us say what shall be
done, but let us lay down a platform liberal
enough, brond enough, comprehensive
enough to embrace every interest, every
class and every section of the state. Preach
anow tho doctrine that must be preached us
long as democracy lives—the equality of
every citizen before the law. Let us
protest again against ciassism of
every form and fashion. Let us
assure tbo|| world that every law-
ful enterprise iu Texas shall have protec-
tion and encouragement; such encourage-
ment ns good laws honestly and impartially
administered. Let us say that the citizen
of Texns is a sovereign still, and that the
government of Texas is his creature, simply
his agent, his servant. That he has rights
which this government dare not tamper
with. That he treads this earth a prince,
the equal before God and before the law or
any potentate enthroned. Let us tell the
government to remember its proper func-
tions and that the citizen looks not to it
for hia rights nnd privileges and that it bus
no powers but such us are his voluntary
gift; that wo want protection because
it is our light, ami protection we
shall havo against any creature natural or
corporate who will Injure or oppress us.
Having this, that wo demand that w« be let
alone; that the laws of Texas aro the peo-
ple's laws; that the good people of Texas
love these laws; that it is not uecessary to
destroy the prosperity of any iuterest or
section of the state or to crucify any of iior
good citizens to persuade them or the world
thnt tno law is supreme in Texas. That in-
nocent people, whether citizens of this or
other states, shall uot be robbed because
follies have been committed in the past;
that officers are servants nnd not bosses of
tho peoplo; that corporations must obey the
law like the citizen or be punished like tho
citizen; that tho lawful rights of corpora-
tions will be respected.
In conclusion, fellow citizens, lot me eny
thnt it is the duty of the democracy of
Texas to take care of her good name. No
citizen of earth must suspcct that Texas
will break faitb with him. Let the world
know that money invested under her laws
and constitution will bo protected, that the
state will keep her contracts, good and bad.
That when her blithest officers under a
reasonable construction of her statutes and
an houest apprehension that they were
faithfully discharging their duty, and fol-
lowing these official acts rights have
vested in innocent and houest peo-
ple sho will not disturb these
rights by experimental litigation.
With this assurance given the world my
conviction is that Texas will prosper as
never before; that all hercitiz ns will pros-
per, aud that In a brief period the citizen
who loves her will begin to see the great
destiny which is hers. With resources un-
surpassed for variety and oxtont, with a
breadth of domain uuequaled by. any state,
let us labor for her glory and advancement
thnt wo ourselves may see her reach the
proud eminence which will make hev first
urnoug her sisters.
AUSTIN.
Tlio Jetf Davis Memorial Fund—Sale of T.liihI
—Cllartera Filed.
AUSTIN, Tex., May 28.—Governor Ross re-
sumed the duties of his office this morning.
He received and answered a letter of thanks
from Secretary of \Vrar Kedfleld Proctor for
the invitation to attend the stato encamp-
ment of volunteer militia at San Antonio
next month, but can not leave Washington
during the session of congress. He also
writes that he would bo pleased to attend a
future encampment at a lima he can leave
Washington, and that the regulars at San
Antonio will assist in the drill.
Chartered to-day: Tho Hughes Springs
School Community company of Cass county.
Among the deeds recorded by the county
clerk is one for 22S0 acres of fnrm lnnd nt
$18,000; another for a smaller tract nearer
tho city for $37,500 and ono for 218 acres,
comprising tho old fair grounds and addi-
tional acreage, for £>70,000. The latter prop-
erty sold homo months ago for $50,000. It
Is to be divided into lots and improved and
to have an electric railroad from Congiess
avenue.
The committee appointed by the gov-
ernor: lion. Walter lips, Colonel Wrn. C.
Walsh, Captain 11. E. Shelley, A. P. Wool-
dridge and Professor II. S. Hood, to solicit
subscriptions for the Jefferson Davis relief
fuud on the anniversary of his birthday,
June 3 next, to relieve the plantation left
by him to his wife of indebtedness, met to-
day, oiganized and appointed committees
to solicit in every precinct in the county.
Auot her meeting has been called by them
for to-morrow. Great Iuterest :a felt in the
matter here, and it is hoped the appointees
all over the stato will meet aud organize
immediately, so that by united action all
over Texns ou thnt day a large sum can be
raised.
Crops Flourishing;.
Boss, Tex., May 28.—Crops are looming
up since the fine rain of last Saturday. Cot-
ton and corn raising is the order of the day
with the farmers.
Cacterir.e cures catarrh. SoldbyJ. J. Schott
SAN ANTONIO MATTERS.
now • Drum-Major Cnme Near nelug
Hurled Alive—The Deep Water rmjsct,
San Antonio, Tor., May 88.—A strange
story of the trip of the Nineteenth infantry
from this pluuo to Detroit has reached here,
Wheu the troopa left here early in tho
month for their now atation Drum-major
White of the band accompanied them.
Before the soldier* reached Little Kock oa
their northward trip White died and tha
train was lio!d at Little Kock to permit
preparations being made for bis burial. A
coffin was procured and the dead drum-
.najor placed in it, but beforo the under-
taker had finished screwing down the lid lis
was astounded by the sound of blows upon
it from within. Hastily tearing off the lid
it was found that White waa alive, but had
becu iu a trance, from which ho recovered
barely in time to escape being buried alive.
He was taken at ouce to the hospital, where
he is now rapidly recovering his health, and
expect* soon to atalk with plumo and
helmet aud gilded ataff before hi* boys
agal n.
Lieutenant Follger of the Twonty-thlrd
infantry has been appointed post quarter-
master at San Antonio post, succeeding
Lieutenant Edwin B. Weeks, tbe unfortu-
nate young officer who suicided by blowing
hie brains out on tbe 11th of tho month.
Lieutenant Fellger recently arrived from
Detroit with his regiment, and ia quits
popular with the troop.
The International Fair aaaoclatlon stock-
holders met to-day and formally sccepted
tbe bonus of nearly $25,000 raised by tho
citizens, and decided to bold the fair, lienry
Elmendorf, W. II. Weiss and B. F. Yoakum
were appointed on executive committee to
take charge of the arrangements for tha .
fair.
There is much talk here to-day over tbe
announcement that the people of Corpus
Christl propose to cut a obannol through
Mustang island and secure a deep water
entrance to Aransas bay fifty feet wide and
twenty feet deep. Those who aro posted a*
to the real stato of the caso say that the
proposition is simply to dredge out and
deepen Turtle cove between the north end
of Mustaug island and Harbor island where
thero was a channel many years ago, but
which has been filled up until it la now
covered by a depth of from two to three
feet of water. They say that a chartor ha*
been procured tor this scheme, but that tbe
proposition to cut through the island has
not been mentioned.
THE RAILWAY COMMISSION.
Interesting BtntUtlo.il Report About the
ltnllways-—Committee Recommendations,
Washington, May 28.—Judge Cooley,
chairman of tbe interstate commission,
called tbecommitteo and made a brief open-
ing address. The report of the committee
on legislation appointed at the last meetlnz
was read. The report states that there are
two causes for lack of uniformity in railway
legislation In this country. The first cause
was want ot har>aony between the legisla-
tion of congress and that of stnte legisla-
tures, and tno second cause was want of
harmony in tho legislation of tho different
states. The report recommended that the
main features of the Interstate commerce
law bo mado part of the I itts of the differ-
ent states. It was also recommended th{it
laws bo ecactcd by congress securin'at
uniformity in the various details
of railroad equipment and management
with a view to greater snfety,
comfort of employes and the public. The
recommendations of tho report were ordered
to be printed. A statement compiled by the
statistician of the interstate commiasiou
was submitted to the convention showing
the number of persons killed and injured in
railtvay accidents in the United States dur-
ing the yenr ending June 30,1889. During
that time 5823 persons were killetl and 20,-
309 injured. Of the number killed 1972 wero
employes, 310 passengers aud 3541 denomi-
nated other persons. Of the injured 20,098
were employes, 2146 passengers and 4133
other persons. The statement further says
that the railways of the United States car-
ried 473,171,343 passengers during the year.
From this statement it appears that ona
passenger in every 1,523,133 was killed, and
one passenger in every 220,024 injured. For
tho year 1888 the rate of casualty in Eng-
land to passengers from railroad accidents
was one passcntrer iu 6,943,360 killed and one
passenger iu 2,257,577 injured. In jttdgiug of
the above figures it should be noted that
passenger mileage for a given number of
tickets sold is much greater in the United
States than in England, a fact which miti-
gates somewhat the severity of judgment
upon railwny management in the United
States disclosed in tho above comparison.
The number of railway employes iu the
United States is given at 704,736.
— -s>
Shot and Killed.
El. Paso, Tex., May 28.—Iu a shooting
affray at tho Gem saloon last night Bud
Barlow was shot by a brakeman named A.
D. Gandin. Barlow died iu a fow hours.
He was shot through both lungs and the
liver.^Iti tho fusllade about fifteen shots
were fired, some ot them being by officers
at Gandin, who tried to escapo. John Cro-
nin, a brakeman, was shot through the
calf of tho leg by a stray bullet aud Chas.
B. Beiswenger, tlio Dutch kid, was shot
through both thighs. Barlow's body was
shipped to Sierra Blanco for intormeut,
where his mother and sister Jive.
Mothers will find Mrs. Winslow's Soothing
Syrup the beet remedy for their children. 26o
SURE CURE.
A CLEAN AND PERFECT CURE OF
Hurts and Bruises.
A Doctor Raw It.
Lawrence, Kansas, Aug. 9,1838.
George Patterson fell from ft 2d-%lory window,
striking a fence. I fount! him u»ingi;t..Jacobs
Oil freely all over his hurts. I saw him next
morning at work; all the blue spots had gone,
leaving neither pain, scar nor swelling.
0. K. NEUMANN, M. D.
At Druggists and Dealers.
THE CHAHLES fl. VOGEIER CO.. Bgltiinore. Mil.
FOR SALE
3000 Barrels
PLANTATION 11 CLARIFIED
SUQAFtS.
HAWLEY & BEIDENHEIMER.
MEMORIAL DAV,
Attention, AV. S. Hancock Post, No. 2, Grand
Army of the Republic: Assemble at Artillery
Hall at 3 p. m. jMay 80, to proceed thence to
cemeteries to decorate tJio graves of our coun-
try's dead there reposing.
Ail ox-union and ex*confederate sold ers and
sailors and members of marine veterans aro
cordially invited t > paiticip lie. by command ot
JAS. B. DuLAN, Post Commander.
E. Gruip. Adjutant.
T. L. CROSS & CO.
SHIP STORES AND CHANDLERY
Manufacturers' Agents and Commission
Murchants,
Corner Center and Etraud,
Keep a full full stock on hand of every*
thing in our line. Call aud be convinced.
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The Galveston Daily News. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 49, No. 31, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 29, 1890, newspaper, May 29, 1890; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth468822/m1/2/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.