The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 3, July 1899 - April, 1900 Page: 220
294 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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220 Texas Historical Association Quarterly.
internal improvement enterprises warranted the suggestion that the
great corporations which were legislated into being recognized in a
practical way the principles of reciprocity. The veto power of
Governor Davis was wielded as ,at the former session. Many a raid
upon the treasury he checked, many a mortgage upon posterity he
prevented. At the conclusion -of his political career he was execrated
by a majority -of the people of his State. His name was coupled
with that which was odious in politics. But history will have to
recognize him as one 'of the greatest benefactors of the State.
At a time when moral ties were loose, when crimes were unpunished,
when corruption idid not affect one's political standing, when it was
not accounted evil to steal from a people who had been overcome, he
stood between Texas and her despoilers. Against the pressure of
partisanship, against the power of money, against the insidious
forces of flattery .and ambition, he stood for the protection of a
people by whom he was hated. That he directly saved the people
many millions of dollars is easily demonstrable; it is doubtless the
case that to him is due the fact that Texas has not been compelled
to face, as other Southern States, the issue of repudiation.
The "reconstruction" constitution which next appears in this
volume declares against the "heresies of nullification and secession,"
recognizes suffrage without reference to "race, color or previous
condition," provides for compulsory education, recasts the judicial
system, inhibits land grants except to actual settlers, provides for
a bureau of immigration, fixes the status of legislation during the
war, and of debts contracted during that period.
'The session, in 1873, of the thirteenth legislature passed a num-
ber of important measures, few, however, of present public interest.
An act repealing the law establishing the obnoxious State police
was passed over the Governor's veto. An act recasting the school
laws was likewise passed over his veto-an amply justified veto.
The administration of this law was .doubtless the cause for the action
of the constitutional convention of 1875, in destroying the office of
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The time of the session was largely spent in special legislation,
eight hundred .and thirty-two pages of these acts having passed into
law, notwithstanding the vigorous exercise by the Governor of the
veto power. Nearly two hundred charters were granted, among
them thirty or forty railroad charters. Each of these railroad char-
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 3, July 1899 - April, 1900, periodical, 1900; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101015/m1/233/: accessed May 2, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.