The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-02-25

WEDNKsDAr, February a, 1918.

Leave being granted, Mr.. Triplett, chair
man of special committee, reported q bill
TO amend an act entitled SAN act for the re-
lief OF railroad companies indebted 20 the
State for loans nom the special school
fund" Laid on the table to come up in
regular order.
The unfinished business-the Interna-
tional Railroad bill-was takennp.
/ Mr.. Epperson moved TO postpone the
further consideration of the bill until Sat
urday.
Mr. Rosborough wanted to see the bill
disposed of. He had no desire to see it be-
fore the House so great time. He was OPP
posed to the blll, and desired to see action
upon it finally at the earliest moment posi-
bic. He discussed the various objections
BILE features of the bill
Mr.. Smith, of Grimes, hoped the motion
to postpone would not prevail. He thought
sufficient time had been consumed in its
discussion. He moved to lay the motion of
Mr.. Epperson on the table.
Mr.. Storey desired to speak upon the
bill, to which Mr.. Smith, of Grimes, OBJ
jected at first, but finally, with his usual
urbanity, gave way.
Mr.. Storey SAID be only desired to
give his reasons for voting against the
bill. Charges had been brought against
members, which, he thought, should
not pass unnoticed. The time had
been that the Democratic sentiment was
almost unanimous against the charter
granted the international Railway. Times
have changed, and with these changes a
different feeling has sprung up in Demo-
cratic circles. He did not expect to be able
to say one word that would change vote.
He respected the opinions of others, and
did not ask them to think contrary to their
honest opinions. He declared, IN spite of
all stated to the contrary, that the
charter is unconstitutional He expect
ed to be attacked for his position
from quarters where he would be unable to
sufficiently defend himself. He backed his
opinion with the Bill of Rights, and by
Cooley upon Constitutional Limitations.
Though there is not an affirmative clause
in the Constitution prohibiting taxation for
internal improvements, still there is another
affirmative clause which, IN his opinion,
negatives the right of the State to do so.
Therules of construction as given by Cooley
and Chief Justice Black are regarded as set
ting at rest all questions about the intent
of our Constitution,
Taxes must be imposed alone for public
uses. He expressed himself as regarding
very lightly the decisions of courts in favor
4 of taxes for internal improvements. AS to
the rights of the company to sue in the
/ Federal courts, and receive Judgment, ho
was not much frightened at such threats.
In such suit the company, under existing
laws, could only obtain SIC, 900 per mile on
the road completed. He referred to the
position taken by Mr.. Barziza, and said,
4 though it had been ridieuled, there was
much in it. He also recognized the opinion
of Judge Ferris as correct, though he
did not propose to defend it.
i He lived in the West, and though him
self and, his people would be, enH1ched by
its completion, he felt that he had duty q
perform, and be should do so. He wanted
j the road built; he would dislike to do any
thing that would stop the enterprise, and
therefore he was willing to see the matter
postponed in hopes that some proposition
would be presented which the House could
accept.
Mr.. Stephens said his remarks had been
/ attacked! Reflections had been cast upon
his people about being exempted from taxa
ton and getting much Of the State money.
He defended them. The STATEsMAN, which
u be recognized as the organ Of the JInterna.
tional aRailroad, had, iseenZfit to be severe
and make threats and thereupon he de
fnounced it in.something short of first class
style. The people of Austin again came
inlfor some OF the same sort OF denuncia,
1 ton, but he was generous enough to &c
back on what he had said about the ladies.
The Attorney General had been attacked
by the gentleman from BeXar. He
thought, while everybody else almost wal
lobbying for the road, that the Attorney
General was excusable for lobbying against
il. He had charged corruption against thii
railroad company, and to prove that his
charges were correct he referred to the In
fiuences used in Congress TO secure the
passage of Pacific Railroad bills, and to tho
publication in the New York Sun about the
Memphis and Ell Paso bill. He therefore
had sufficient reason for charging corrup
tion against railroad companies Judge
4 Ferris also came in for a share of his de
sfense, He again abused railroad com
panles; said that he knew they had
power that they were to be
4 dreaded, but lie was willing to test theiI
4 strength Of Opposition. He could not clost
Withoat again attempting to rasp tho
sTATEgAEAE,. until our thick skin was II
.Mr. Hayes said that he wanted the yot'
taken at once upon postponement. He re
garded postponement as dangerous, anS
Wf. KemDIe spoke In regard to the higl
character Of Judge Ferris. He said that h
had recommendation from the bar and from
the Legislature that any lawyer in the Stat'
might have felt proud OF; and that thr
may have had something to do with his Sc
lection as umpire. Judge Ferris had beer
attacked by members who would have tc
grow much older before they cosld occupy
such position as he does.
Mr.. McLeary rose to q personal explana-
ton. and said: az have no desire TO oc-
cupy the position which Judge Ferris does
before the people Of Texas, neither now or
hereafter"
Mr.. Sayers rose 20 speak upon the con-
stitutional convention bill. lie was called
u 70 order by Ar. Smith, Of Grimes, for dis
cussing this question while the House was
under call. The Speaker sustained the
question Of order, but the House, a few
minutes afterward, granted the gentleman
leave TO speak.
He said he was upon the floor 10 dis
charge his duty 70 the people. A just in
hdignation was arising from them, and he
feared the consequences II the Legislature
do not Immediately provide q means for the
assembling Of q constitutional convention.
The people, he charged, are getting restless
and indignant, and be must acknowledge
his dread OF returning home without the
Legislature making such provision.
Il Is already being charged that
i legislators are becoming the ser
\ vsnfs Of placemen. IL Is known that
the ofioeholdeFs IN this State are working
4 against 4 convention, aud this Legislature
Is occupying the mean position Of being IN
4 Iuencsd by them. He regarded this cues
ton as 3 more aeTlong one by far than the
Inteuationsl ilEay bill Intelligent peo-
of & conrentio1. he spoke 70 induce the
House % take up this BIN nt once and vote
! upon Il, as it had been made the special or
i der for the day.
NJ. Swain desired during the call to
! take up Senate Joint resolution regarding