VIRTUOUS TEXAS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 8960, 28 October 1907, Page 1

VIRTUOUS TEXAS.

According to the New York correspondent of the Loudon Tribune, the prohibition movement has captured nearly the entire State of Texas, whoso Legislature has supplemented the various county regulations with “grandmother” legislation of the most remarkable character. Texas is, in fact, in a most explosive mood, owing to tiro now laws, which violently attack trusts, the sale of f firearms, aud the railroads. The' drinking of liquor on railroad trains is prohibited, Any traveller having a flask 'of brandy or whisky is liable to two years’ imXirisonmeut. A tax of 50 per cent is levied upon all firearms. Free passes on railroads are prohibited. It is unlawful to use a telegraph or telephone “frank” entitling free service. The legislation against insurance companies is so severe that 23 companies will retire from the State. The so-called Theatre Trust receives a blow in a law which compels a theatrical manager to book any attraction applying for an open date, regardless of who its financial backer may be, if the attraction is suitable for a first-class theatre. All xmblic officials are forbidden from employing any relatives, even so remote as second cousins. Separate conrpartments must be ]irovided for negroes on street electric railways, as well as on steam roads. Men handling trains must not work more than eight hours in the 24. Public gambling is a felony. Music and dancing are forbidden in the same building where liquor is sold. It is a felony to sell or give liquor to children without the consent of their parents or guardians. Lobbying in the Legislature is xmuishable by fine or imprisonment. Rexircsentatives of a coiporatiou cannot solicit the vote of a member of the Legislature privately. Altogether about 30 new statutes of extremely Xiaterualistic character have just gone into effect, as the result of the dissatisfaction over recent conditions. It has been a revolution in Texas, not a reformation, strictly speaking.