A bill raising the school tax to twenty cents on the hundred dollars, that the country schools may be carried on six months in the year as the constitution of Texas demands. A law requiring all counties that have three thousand or more children within school age to have a county superintendent for their schools. San Jacinto Battle Field. The thirtieth legislature in response to the request of the Daughters of the Republic appropriated sufficient money to finish the purchase of the San Jacinto battle field and suitably to care for these historic grounds. Texas Veterans. Many writers claim that with the advance of civilization there comes a decline of patriotism. If this be true, it "were a grievous fault," but let us not permit that it be true of Texas. There has met for years, on April 21st, a body of aged men whose very presence among us serves to make the young heart burn with patriotic zeal. These are the Texas Veterans. The railroads have generously given free transportation, and the hostess city has treated the Veterans as honored guests. Here the soldiers of San Jacinto lived o'er their youthful days and brought to mind the glories of the past. The roll-call was most impressive, for each year, alas! many cross to the Great Beyond, and when their names were called a moment of solemn silence followed, broken by some aged grandsire, who with trembling voice answered, "Dead." At the meeting in Austin, 1907, those present were so few in numbers and so feeble in health that they adjourned to meet no more. Conclusion. When one looks backward over Texas history, he sees much for which we should be grateful to the Great Father above. Cities have sprung up on all sides. Our population is over three millions; wealth has poured into our coffers; railroads unite every portion of the state; public education has made decided progress, but there still remains much in this line to be done. Let the boys and girls of this generation fit themselves to take up the duties that must soon fall upon their shoulders; let them learn to love their State wisely, not blindly; seeing her needs and filling them; let them resolve that education shall be as free as the sunlight that floods our Italian skies; let these things be done, and the Muse of History shall call for a golden pen and she shall write still higher on the roll of fame that name we love so well is Texas! SUMMARY The annexation of Texas and disputes over her southern boundary caused war between Mexico and the United States resulting in victory for the United States and in establishing the Rio Grande as the border line. A dispute as to the boundary between Texas and New Mexico was settled by the compromise of 1850; underneath all these issues lay the great question of slavery. The years from 1853 to 1859 were marked by progress and prosperity; railroads were encouraged, a permanent school fund was established, public buildings were erected and population increased. The negro uprising, the cart war and the expulsion of the Indians were the only disturbing features. In 1859 General Houston was elected Governor. When the southern states talked of secession Houston opposed it, but in January 1861 Texas left the Union and joined the Confederacy. Governor Houston would not take the oath of allegiance and was deposed; he died in 1863. The capture of Galveston from the Federals, the Battle of Sabine Pass, the heroism of Hood's Brigade and the Terry Rangers are important features of Texas' part in the Civil War. The war closed with the surrender of General Robert E. Lee, April 9, 1865, but May 13 at Palmito on the Rio Grande the last shot was fired. From 1865 to 1870 Texas, under military rule, passed through the trying days of reconstruction, but with the election of Governor Coke (1874) and the refusal of President Grant to interfere in Texas' affairs a happier era dawned. In 1876 a new constitution was adopted. In 1881 the old capitol burned; in 1888 the magnificent new capitol was dedicated. In 1896 the Supreme Court decided that Greer County belonged to the United States. A terrific storm, September, 1900, left Galveston county and city with adjacent territory in ruins. Texas has prospered wonderfully during this era. HISTOICAL RECREATIONS When and why were the counties released from State taxes? How were the expenses of the State met during these years? What has Texas done to encourage the building of railroads? Name all the State asylums; locate each. What was the "Cart War?" What was the belief of the Know-Nothing Party? Who was twice president of the Republic, twice United States senator, and once governor? Who was Cortina? Tell the story of Cynthia Ann Parker. Why was Houston deposed? Why did Texas not suffer as much during the Civil War as the other Southern States? Who was President of the Confederacy? Is he living? Who was President of the United States in 1862? How did he meet his death? What governor after being comptroller of the Republic, cut cord-wood rather than be idle? Name all the living governors of Texas. Give in your own words the story of the recapture of Gal veston. What garrison received a silver medal from President Davis? Why? What great Texan is buried at Huntsville? Is there a monument over his grave? Where was the last battle of the Civil War fought? What governor took refuge in Mexico? Why? What is meant by the "Period of Military Rule"? When did two men claim the governorship of Texas? How was the matter settled? What answer did President Grant make when appealed to for aid in 1874? Name the governors who have been elected to the United States Senate. Who at the age of fourteen had memorized Pollock's "Course of Time" ? What eminent Texan was Minister Plenipotentiary to Japan? How many Normal Schools has Texas? Locate them. Who said, "I will meet you in the halls of Congress"? Tell the whole story. Who was called the "young Demosthenes"? What is the Peabody Fund? How has it aided Texas? Where is the A. & M. College? The State University? The Medical Branch of the State University? Who were the Fence-cutters? Who was known as the Boy Captain? Give an incident of his bravery. Describe the new Capitol Building. Have you visited it? If so, mention some of the pictures you saw there. What did you admire most? What improvement would you like to see made? Who was the first native Texan to become governor? The second? What is the Alien Land Law? Who were the two Democratic nominees for governor in 1892? What famous Texan represented his district in Congress for nineteen years? 66 What governor was called the Patron of Art"? Who is the present governor? Tell something of his life. Name the United States senators from Texas. Name the Chairman of the Railroad Commission. Name the Congressman from your district. Tell some patriotic deed that specially interested you in this era. Some deed of self-sacrifice. Some deed of great personal bravery. Name the judges of the Supreme Court. Who never held public office until he became governor? What are University? "The Austin Papers"? Who gave them to the |