Second—I urged a thorough revision of our laws touching the assessment and equalization of taxes, so as to secure, if possible, uniform values, and a material reduction of the percentage of taxation.
Third—I recommended reforms in our laws for the disposition of school lands, calling attention to the defects and shameful abuses of our present system, and urging that stringent legislation should be adopted to protect the school domain of the State from despoliation by speculators.
Fourth—I urged radical changes in our present system of managing the State charitable institutions, so that the vast sums of money annually expended for public charities should be disbursed under systematic, intelligent and constant supervision, with a rigid accountability.
Fifth—I earnestly recommended such changes in our insurance laws as were necessary to protect our citizens against wrongs and abuses clearly pointed out.
Sixth—I recommended important modifications in our present railroad law, and urged that railroad corporations should be prohibited from establishing rates that enable them to pay large dividends and interest on stock and bonds issued in amount double or three times the cost of the construction of their roads.
Seventh—I urged a thorough revision of our laws concerning public highways, calling attention to the fact that the present system of making and improving country roads was not only wasteful and unjust in its operation, but unsatisfactory in its results.
Eighth—I urged the necessity of protecting our vast stock interest against loss or damage from contagious diseases, or from the introduction of Texas cattle.
Ninth—I recommended a revision and codification of the entire body of our laws, suggesting that this work would enormously reduce the expense, delay and perplexities of litigation in our courts.
Tenth—I urged a revision of the fee-bills of many local officers, so that all might clearly understand how much the law allowed for such services as officers are required to perform.
Eleventh—I advised a repeal of our cowardly law which abolishes the death penalty by indirection.