ustxtxb_obs_1966_09_30_50_00013-00000_000.pdf

to the pace of which our society is changing.” Connally recommended a cabinet system of state government; top agencies would be run by gubernatorial appointees. “Unless we have leadership authority in this [executive; branch, then we will have a government lead by bureaucrats who are responsible to no one,” Connally said. He also recommended annual legislative sessions, and consideration \(by the constitutaxing ‘authorities in Texas by consolidations where possible. Connally didn’t mention four-year terms for governors in his keynote, but his platform advocated this change. This likely would be at issue in any constitutional convention. An intriguing departure from Connally’s prepared text occurred when he came to a se ntence that read, “For my own brief moment on the stage of history soon will pass.” Instead, he said, “For my own brief moment on this stage soon will pass.” Was the governor merely toning down a bit of two-flowery prose, or did this mean he might return to Washington in some rapacity? PARTY PLATFORMS are not normally the most significant of documents, but in the case of the Texas Democratic statement, there is more reason for interest than usual, as the powers who wrote the document will call the shots at the next legislative session. Governor Connally, his staff, and party officers worked mud’ of the day prior to the ‘convention behind closed doors at the governor’s office. The 61-plank treatise they drew up had to survive only four attempted amendments before the platform committee. And not a comma was changed; that’s the kind of convention it was. John Peace of San Antonio, platform committee chairman, read the lengthy document to the committee for its approval. Alvin Allison of Hockley County promptly moved its adoption. Two proposed amendments were introduced by Bill Kugle of Henderson County; both were attempts to go on record sympathizing with the Valley farm workers’ quest far a state minimum wage. The platform included this plank: “Recommend consideration of a state minimum wage law.” Kugle said he thought this was too weak, particularly in view of the Republicans’ reportedly forthcoming more forthright stand on the question. Kugle’s first amendment would have changed the plank to “Recommend enactment of a state minimum wage law to include farm laborers at $1.25.” Seconding this was Mrs. R. B. Melton of Denton. Dr. Clotilde Garcia of Corpus Christi read a statement basically supporting Kugle’s amendment. J. C. Looney of Edinburg said he thought the change would be too specific and that this is something for the legislature to work out. The vote was 23-5 against the amendment. Another amendment sought to endorse teacher tenure and higher salaries at least to achieve the national salary average. Allison said this question is now under study by the state government, and such an amendment would defeat the purpose of the study. Mrs. Melton said she thought if the state is to improve the level of education for its young, more money must be spent. Peace responded that, as Allison had pointed out, the ‘state, including some agencies established for that specific purpose, is studying the matter now, “so we don’t want to be presumptuous and recommend what should be done.” Allison said he agreed with Peace’s agreement with Allison. Kugle said the plank would not be presumptuous, but timely, as the questions are now under study. The vote was 24-6 against the amendment. Allison’s earlier motion approving the platform as submitted was then taken up. Just before the vote, state labor leader Hank Brown asked when others might be heard and asked if he should stay on. “We’d be glad for you to wait,” Peace said, smiling. The platform was unanimously adopted by voice vote. Brown then was permitted to ‘speak. He urged planks on a minimum wage law, improved unemployment and workmen’s compensation benefits, an industrial safety law and repeal of the state right-to-work law. Brown told the committee that he thinks Texas Democrats should stop fighting their national party on the right-to-work issue. He said that the minimum wage plank is weak and the state’s two million MexicanAmericans won’t be satisfied with this “bland statement.” Perhaps in partial response to the Latin and minimum wage issues that have become heated of late, the platform includes a recommendation that Spanish be a required course in Texas public schools. Brown told the committee there is “growing concern that the Democrats are not truly the party of the people.” He recalled that in 1962 the party’s platform pledged to do something about industrial accidents, yet such a law was voted down 149-1 by the legislature’ Democratic house. “And the Valley farm workers will not be put off,” Brown asserted, noting wryly that the only Texas ‘minimum wage law on the books is a 1931 act requiring 30c an hour for laborers on public works construction. He praised the platform’s idea of Spanish Professors: Your students can receive a semester’s subscription to The Texas Observer, if ten or more of them subscribe and the papers can be delivered in one packet to you, for the special classroom price of $1.50 per student. As a special bonus as long as the supply lasts, your ‘students can get the two issues published earlier this year on John Tower and Waggoner Carr. Send your orders to Sarah Payne, Business Manager, Texas Observer, 504 as a required language, its mention of vocational training and literacy needs, and its proposal for an expanded Texas Industrial Commission. But, he said, the platform should be more specific about ncreaing unemployment benefits, as the state ranks 46th in the nation, and workmen’s compensation, in which Texas is $8 a week below the national average. Kugle then thought he’d have another go at it and proposed another plank praising the Valley farm workers, “commending these determined, patriotic Texans for their efforts.” The vote was 4-22. A proposal by a lady on the committee that the legislature request Congress to submit a constitutional amendment permitting one house of the Congress to be apportioned on a basis other than population lost on a voice vote. So after 60 minutes of committee discussion the platform emerged unscathed, in the same condition as when it came out of the governor’s office. This year’s detailed, 11-page platform contrasts with the one-page summary of generalized ideas adopted two years ago. Other planks urged support for President Johnson in Vietnam; reorganization of the twelve governing boards of fouryear state-supported colleges into a limited number of statewide systems; establishing an agriculture development institute to boost research and income; encouraging a minerals pricing policy by the federal government based on the competitive market value of oil, natural gas, and coal; countywide branch banking in the four largest counties of the state; more pay and benefits for state employees; establishment of a State utility commission to regulate rates, service, and competition, long a thwarted liberal goal; more revenue for cities, and establishment of a consumer credit code to regulate lending rates and practices of financialinstitutions. September 30, 1966 13 Democratic Party Rally October 1, 1966 Market Hall Dallas, Texas 7 p.m. Sponsored by the Democratic Women of Dallas County Mrs. Charlie T. Davis, President Dinner Tickets, $5 FL 2-7762, TA 4-0472 6572 Kellwood Drive, Dallas 75214 Vote It Straight Vote the Demo Slate