830 



TEXAS. 



upon the first Tuesday in September. This 

 measure was denounced by a large portion of 

 the people and press in the State, because it 

 discriminates in favor of the farmers to the 

 prejudice of those engaged in other pursuits, 

 who are allowed no similar exemption. In 

 Harris County, which is divided into twenty- 

 six election precincts, polls were opened in five 

 precincts only on the election day, and all of 

 the votes cast were for the amendment. 



An act was passed endowing the Governor 

 with power to remove officers and the superin- 

 tendents of charitable or other State institutions 

 at his discretion. A portion of the press in 

 the State protested against this bill as despotic. 

 It went into force on September 1st. 



An act was passed authorizing the issue of 

 State bonds to the amount of $3,373,000, classi- 

 fied as follows: Bonds of $1,000 each, $1,373,- 

 000; of $100 each, $1,000,000; of $10 and $5 

 each, $1,000,000. The bonds of the first two 

 classes are payable in United States gold coin 

 within thirty years from July 1, 1879, bearing 

 interest at the rate of 5 per cent., payable semi- 

 annually. The ten- and five-dollar bonds are 

 payable in twenty years from July 1, 1879, 

 bearing interest at 4 per cent. The interest 

 coupons attached to the bonds are receivable 

 for all State taxes. 



The Governor vetoed the items in the general 

 appropriation bill appropriating money for the 

 payment of interest on the State debt, for the 

 sinking fund, and for the public free schools, 

 amounting in the aggregate to about $1,000,- 

 000; and the Legislature adjourned without 

 taking further action on the subject. The Gov- 

 ernor's veto created intense excitement in the 

 State; the more so because he had in a man- 

 ner approved these appropriations in advance, 

 as he had previously signed the tax bill in 

 which a levy of taxes was ordered for each of 

 those purposes. Enthusiastic mass meetings 

 were held, and resolutions adopted expressing 

 resentment against Governor Eoberts for the 

 injury he had done to the good name of the 

 State and to education by depriving the public 

 schools of that necessary support which the or- 

 ganic law has provided for their maintenance. 

 Of the one hundred and two newspapers pub- 

 lished in Texas, not more than two or three 

 sustained the veto in full. It also threatened 

 injury to the State's credit in the New York 

 money market, as the holders of Texas bonds 

 became apprehensive of the non-payment of 

 the interest due them on July 1st. To allay 

 their fears the State Comptroller wrote to New 

 York assuring them that the State had ample 

 means, and that the money to pay the interest 

 on their bonds was ready. As these matters 

 could not be delayed without detriment to the 

 most vital interests of the State, the Governor, 

 by a proclamation issued a few weeks after the 

 close of the regular session, convened an ex- 

 traordinary one for June 10th, chiefly to make 

 the appropriations he had before vetoed ; his 

 proclamation beginning with the following 



preamble: "Whereas, the Legislature which 

 convened on the 14th of January, 1879, ad- 

 journed sine die on the 24th of April, 1879, 

 without passing any law that is now in force 

 making annual appropriations for the support 

 of the free common schools, for the payment 

 of the interest and sinking fund of the bonded 

 public debt of the State, and for other objects 

 necessary for the successful operation of the 

 State government." The called session was 

 opened at the appointed time, and passed the 

 necessary appropriations, reducing that for the 

 schools from one fourth to one sixth of the 

 State revenue. By various messages sent in 

 during its continuance, the Governor laid be- 

 fore the Legislature for consideration a number 

 of subjects besides those mentioned in his proc- 

 lamation. 



A Sunday law was also passed at this session, 

 the first and second sections of which provide 

 that " any person who conscientiously believes 

 that the seventh or any other day of the week 

 is the Sabbath, and who actually refrains from 

 business and labor on that day," may attend to 

 business and labor himself, and employ others, 

 on Sunday. The fourth section provides as 

 follows : " Any merchant, grocer, or dealer in 

 wares or merchandise, or trader in any lawful 

 business whatsoever, who shall barter or sell 

 on Sunday, shall be fined not less than twenty 

 nor more than fifty dollars : Provided, this arti- 

 cle shall not apply to markets, or dealers in 

 provisions, as to sales made by them before 9 

 o'clock A. M. The preceding article shall not 

 apply to the sale of drugs and medicines on 

 Sunday." This law was very unfavorably com- 

 mented upon by the press in the State; and 

 the people assembled in meetings to condemn 

 it on several accounts. 



The financial condition of Texas is satisfac' 

 tory, the State debt being inconsiderable and 

 her revenue sufficient to meet all the public ex- 

 penditiires. Deficiencies have occurred in pre- 

 vious years, especially in 1876 and 1877, from 

 defaulting sheriffs and collectors of taxes. It 

 is estimated that nearly $800,000 are now due 

 to the State on this score ; for much of which 

 sum suits have been instituted and judgments 

 obtained, though the recovery of the money ia 

 considered difficult. The defects in the laws 

 which gave rise to these defaults were mostly 

 cured by an act passed in 1876, which went 

 into effect August 31, 1877. 



Of the salable lands of Texas, in regard to 

 quantities, location, price, and manner of pur- 

 chase, accurate information is given by the fol- 

 lowing reply of the State Land Commissioner 

 to a request of the Governor : 



GENERAL LAND-OFFICE, AUSTIN, September 10, 1879. 

 Hon 0. M. Roberts, Governor of Texas. 



SIB : In compliance with your request of the 13th 

 inst., I append a brief statement of Texas State landa 

 now for sale, with location, price, and mode of pur- 

 chase : 



1. Common-school lands, 12,800,000 acres. These 

 are situated in various amounts in 210 of the 225 coun- 

 ties of the State, and consequently embrace every va- 



