This led to the cutting of such fencing by smaller holders, who greatly outnumbered the large proprietors. This difficulty, threatening great evils, was quieted by measures doing

wrong to none. Complications in regard to the penitentiaries were overcome. Under an act for that purpose he purchased for the State the grounds of the Alamo, a spot hallowed in the history of the State. Governor Ireland also took steps which led to the repayment by the United States of about a million dollars previously expended by Texas for frontier protection

Boss's Two Administrations. General Ross* succeeded Ireland in January, 1887, and

* Lawrence Sullivan Ross was born in Iowa, in 1838, his parents being recent settlers from Lincoln County, Missouri, who came to Texas in 1840. Educated in au Alabama college, when twenty years old he commanded a large company of friendly Indians under Major Earl Van Dorn in the battle of Antelope Hills in 1858. He commanded as captain, in 1860, in the fight' on Pease River, in which Cynthia Ann Parker was rescued. He served in the Confederate army as major, colonel, and brigadier-general from 1861 to 1865; afterward sheriff of McLeunan County, senator, a member of Constitutional was reelected in 1889. Thomas B. Wheeler was LieutenantGovernor during both terms.

During his terms of office a second insane asylum was located at Terrell, and a third provided for at San Antonio, now in operation; a State reformatory for boys, located at Gatesville; the magnificent Capitol, provided for during

Roberts's administration, at a cost of three million acres of land, and prosecuted through Governor Ireland's terms, was completed and accepted.

Hogg's Two Administrations.

In January, 1891, James S. Hogg* became Governor, George C. Pendleton of Bell, Lieutenant-Governor.

Convention of 1875. He retired from the governorship in 1891, and was called to the presidency of the State Agricultural and Mechanical College at Beyan.

* James S. Hogg was born in Cherokee County, Texas, and is the first native of the State to become its Chief Magistrate.

He first became a printer, then editor and lawyer, serving two terms as district attorney. From 1887 to 1891 he served two terms as Attorney-Genera! of the State.

Governor Hogg's second term began January, 1893, A. M. Crane of Johnson County being Lieutenant-Governor.

The Legislature in 1891 passed two laws of great importance, upon which the public became divided.

These new laws were, one creating a State Railroad Commission of three persons, clothed with power to regulate charges in the State, and prevent discriminations against persons-or places. The other law was in relation to foreigners or aliens holding land in Texas.

Governor Hogg reconvened the Legislature March 14, 1892, and that body modified the Alien Land Law in a manner designed to remedy alleged defects. United States Senator John H. Reagan was appointed President of the Railroad Commission; his seat in the Senate was temporarily filled by Horace Chilton of Smith County until March, 1892, when Roger Q. Mills of Navarro, then serving his twentieth year in Congress, was elected to complete the term ending March -4, 1893 ; but in January, 1893, he was elected for a full term of six years, from March, 1893.

Governor Hogg's administrations have fallen during a recurrence of one of the periodic financial disturbances which have visited the United States at intervals since the last war with Great Britain. During Lis terms of office great changes have been made in the constitution and laws in the judicial department of the government, favorable to a more prompt and less expensive administration of justice.

THE COURTS.

1. A supreme court of three judges.

2. Five supreme districts of three judges each, to which appeals lie in all civil cases from the district courts, consisting of one judge each, under which a court is held in every organized county. Decisions in the supremo districts are final» excepting in certain specified cases wherein appeal may be taken to the State Supreme Court.

3. A State Criminal Court of Appeals, holding annual sessions at Dallas, Austin, and Galveston. To this court appeals lie in all criminal cases from the districts courts; or, where criminal district courts exist by special enactment' and having exclusive criminal jurisdictions, as in Galveston,' Houston, Dallas, and a few other counties, the appeals lie directly to the Court of Appeals.

CONCLUSION.

The men of Red River and the Gulf, those of the East and the West, stood shoulder to shoulder against Mexicans and Indians, heart to heart in loyalty, and, together, with knitted brows, wrought out the problems of Texas as an independent republic, as a State of the Union, as a State of the Confederacy; and, like brave and true men. made the best of their disappointment, and Texas took her place again among the States of the Union. Now, with her distant borders drawing more and more closely together, she presents herself with her immense geographical proportions, her accumulated experience, the rapid development of her numberless and exhaustless resources, the steady march of her progress in all that tends to elevate and adorn social life—a rival in all. Her history and the star of her destiny are a legacy challenging the eternal vigilance of her people.

Questions.—When did Hubbard become Governor? WTiat improvements were made during his administration? What of the State debt? What of the cause of education? When was Roberts elected Governor? What was his policy? What, as an emergency, did he uruc with regard to the school funds? What did the people finally conclude? When was he reelected? Give an account of his second administration. When was Ireland elected Governor? When was he reelected' What were some of the grave questions of Ireland's administration? What of the penitentaries i What purchase was made? What payment was made by the United States? What of a reformatory? What of the new capital? When was Ross first elected Governor? When was he reelected? What important matters came up during his two terms? When was Hogg elected Governor? What new laws wore enacted? Why did Governor Hogg reconvene the Legislature' Who was appointed president of the Railroad Commission? Wrho temporaiily filled Reagan's seat in Congress? For how long a time? Who was elected to complete the term y When was he elected for a term? What changes have been made with regard to laws in the judicial department?

CONSTITUTION

OF THE

STATE OF TEXAS.

ADOPTED BY THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION BEGUN
AND HELD AT THE CITY OF AUSTIN ON THE
SIXTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1875.

WITH

Amendments Declared Adopted Oct. 14, 1879; Sept. 25, 1883; Dec. 19, 1890; And Sept. 22, 1891.

PREAMBLE.

Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas do ordain and establish this Constitution.

ARTICLE I.

BILL OF RIGHTS.

That the general, great, and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare:

Section 1. Texas is a free and independent state, subject only to the constitution of the United States; and the maintenance of our free institutions and the perpetuity of the Union depend upon the preservation of the right of local self-government unimpaired to all the states.

Sec:. 2. All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit. The faith of the people of Texas stands pledged to the preservation of a republican form of government, and, subject to this limitation only, they have at all times the inalienable right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may think expedient.