Initial messages of Governor W. P. Hobby to the thirty-sixth legislature, state of Texas: Jan. 14, 1919 and Jan. 22, 1919. Page: 6 of 32
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6
GOVERNOR'S MESSAGES.
ing the war with. Germany, when
German propaganda w a s being
spread over the country. The regular
Rangers, the Loyalty Secret Service
Department and the Special
Rangers have worked in unison with
the city and county officials to keep
down disloyalty, apprehend deserters,
alleviating u n s e t t led conditions
along the border and contribute
their efforts toward the successful
prosecution of the war.
Total disbursements of the Ranger
force from January 1, 1918, to November
1, 1918, amounted to $203,466.80.
This includes salaries,
equipment for the entire force, and
expenses of all kinds.
A claim for reimbursement of approximately
$7,500, expended in arranging
the details of ithe Selective
Service organization, is now pending
with the Federal government.
In this' connection, the following
letter dated December 11, 1918, addressed
to the Governor, from Honorable
Newton D. Baker, Secretary
of XVar, is quoted:
"When the Legislature of Texas
convenes in January it will undoubtedly
be necessary for you to bring to
its attention the expenditures made
by the State in the organization of
the New National Guard, consisting
of cavalry and infantry regiments
which were gotten together and prepared
for acceptance by the Federal
government. This designation, as
you know, had in fact been made by
the War Department, and it was our
confident expectation that they would
be very useful, particularly if the
European war had continued. Upon
the signing otf the armistice, it became
apparent that the troops already
in the Federal service would
be more than adequate for any uses
then in contemplation; but I cannot
allow the occasion to go by without
thanking you and the State of Texas
for your whole-hearted and effective
co-operation, and for the zeal and
energy with which this body of new
troops was made ready for National
lise."
While the personal ambition for
active service of our men and officers
was not realized on account of the
fortunate early conclusion of the
war, yet none were so selfish as to
regret the successful peace and we
take pride in the fact that Texas
now has a National Guard organization
second in quality to none in
the United States.
Drouth Relief.
Reference has been made heretofore
to the action of the Legislature
in passing the law de,signed !to render
adequate relief in-so-far as possible
to farmers suffering from the
severe drouth which has affected a
large part of Texas during the past
three years. The Act of the Legislature
was not far reaching enough
to help many deserving ones without
means, and accordingly I appealed
to the public for a volun,tary fund.
Responding to this appeal with their
accustomed eagerness 'to help their
fellowmen, the citizens of the State
and some of their friends in other
States contributed by January 8,
1919, the sum of $276,119.18,
This fund was placed at my disposal
to be administered in relieving
the condition in such way as might
be deemed proper. The people who
contributed to this fund did so as
an expression of their appreciation
for the efforts which the ciltizens in
the great drouth-stricken section of
the State were making to render
their fertile fields productive of
crops so badly need by our country
in its crisis and to carry them
through a year of devastation.
To act in an advisoy capacity in
the distribution o.f this fund, I selected
a committee of business men
from various parts of the State especially
acquainted with the conditions
of the drouth-stricken area. These
men have unselfishly devaoted their
time and talent to the task. At my
urgent request the late Col. W. VW.
Seley of Waco acted as administrator
of the fund and until the date
of his untimely death, unselfishly devoted
a large part of his time to the
ad'ministration of this fund. I cannot
forego the opportunity of saying
that the State owes to his memory
a debt of gratitude for performing
this patriotic service at his own expense.
The committee concluded to accept
promissory notes from the recipients
of this fund. This procedure was
adopted to relieve the feelings of
those who might be embarrassed if
they felt that they were the recipients
of charity. Besides being a receipt
for the money, the note impresses
on the mind of the recipient
that he has the opportunity of re
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Hobby, W. P. Initial messages of Governor W. P. Hobby to the thirty-sixth legislature, state of Texas: Jan. 14, 1919 and Jan. 22, 1919., book, 1919; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5863/m1/6/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .