the basement, is five hundred and sixty feet long, and two hundred and eighty-eight feet broad; the dome rises majestically to a height of three hundred and eleven feet. At the time of its erection it was only second in size to the Capitol at Washington, and was the seventh largest building in the world.

Immigration Movement.- Strong efforts were made during 1888 to

Governor Ross

"Texas Excursions." The movement was a success.

Money Received from the United States. When Texas was admitted to the Union she expected as one of her privileges that her border would be protected by the United States troops. But such defence was not provided in all cases and the state was forced to incur

heavy expenses in fitting out companies of her own rangers for service on the border. She appealed to the government at Washington to refund this money, and, after much delay, in answer to the request, nearly a million dollars was paid into the Texas treasury. This sum was in effect distributed among the people by reducing their taxes for one year (1888) from twenty-five to ten cents on the hundred dollars.

New Publc Institutions.-The State Orphan Asylum at Corsicana, the Reformatory for Boys at Gatesville, and the Southwest Asylum for the insane at San Antonio were established during this administration.

General Prosperity. This was a period of general prosperity. Every branch of trade flourished, railroads were built rapidly, the value of property increased, taxes were reduced, the state was on a cash basis, and the school system was improved.

HOGG'S ADMINISTRATIONS 30

[George C. Pendleton and M. M. Crane, LieutenantGovernors]

(1891-1895)

President Harrison. In 1891 President Harrison came to Texas and was entertained at Texarkana, Palestine, Galveston, Houston, San Antonio, Del Rio and El Paso. Texas owes President Harrison a debt of grati tude for his interest in securing deep water for Gal

veston.

Improvement of Galveston Harbor.- During this period Congress appropriated six and one-half million dollars to improve the harbor and to secure deep water at Galveston: in later years this appropriation was increased to more than $10,000,000. If this effort is successful, it will result in untold good to the West and South, as it will open to them direct communication with the countries of Central and South America, and will make Galveston

members. The duties of the commission were declared to be as follows: To adopt, regulate, and enforce rates to be charged by the railways of the state, and to prevent discrimination against persons or places. Opponents of the measure tested it on the ground that it was not constitutional; a test case was brought before the United States Supreme Court. It was decided that the law was constitutional. Governor Hogg appointed, as

chairman of the commission, Senator John H. Reagan 31 of Palestine.

Alien Land Law.- In April, 1891, was created a law forbidding aliens (that is, persons who are not citizens of the United States) from holding lands in Texas. In 1892, Governor Hogg called an extra session of the twenty-second legislature to consider, among other matters, the changing of this Alien Land Law. The law was altered so that as it now stands, it provides that no

alien shall acquire

title to or own any land in Texas, with the following exceptons: The law does not apply to persons owning land at the time the bill was passed; aliens may own lots or parcels of land in towns, villages, and cities; aliens who become inhabitants of the state may have all the rights to possess land that the citizens have; nonresident aliens who acquire real estate in Texas are given ten years in which to dispose of it; aliens who are not of age, who come into the possession of Texas lands may hold such lands till ten years after reaching majority.

Senator John H. Reagan

Confederate Home.- The John B. Hood Camp of Confederate Veterans had previously established in Austin a home for poor, maimed, and disabled ex-Confederate soldiers. The number of veterans increased so rapidly that the Camp found itself unable to care for

them and the state was petitioned to assume control of the Home. In February, 1891, the legislature granted the petition; all property belonging to the Home was. made over to the state, and the name was changed to the "Texas Confederate Home."

Sugar Bounty Refused. In order to encourage the sugar industry, the government offered a bounty of two cents per pound on all sugar made in the United States. The state of Texas owns large sugar farms, on which she works her convicts; such quantities of sugar were made by the state that the bounty amounted to $40,000 per year. The legislature passed a bill to comply with certain conditions, made by the United States Government and to accept the bounty; Governor Hogg, claiming that the government had no right to grant bounties, vetoed the bill.

Division in Democratic Party.- In 1892 the Democratic state convention met in Houston. Differences of opinion arose that finally resulted in a division of the convention, and for the first time in the history of the state there were two Democratic nominees for governor, James S. Hogg and George W. Clark, of Waco. After an exciting campaign, Governor Hogg was reëlected.

Coxey Army. Amid the general unrest that pervaded various sections of the country during 1893 and 1894, Texas was alarmed over the entrance of a large body of men bound for Washington City, to join Coxey's Army. Coxey was the leader of a band of unemployed men, who organized for the purpose of demanding the passage of various laws by Congress. While outside. Texas territory, these men had forcibly seized a train of cars, nor were the railroad officials able to get rid of them before they had penetrated some distance into the state. Governor Hogg made a demand on the officials