The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-02-11

The bill provides that sheriifs and other
tax collectors shall receive, for collection,
eight per cent. for the first five thousand
dollars, five per cent. for five to fifteen
thousand dollars, and shall have the same
liens for distraint as in civil cases, and
mileage ten cents Tor going to and coming
from the capital. Assessors are allowed
on assessments a commission Of FIVE per
cent. on the first five Thousand dollars, four
per cent. over five TO ten thousand dollars,
and two per cent. over ten thousand dol
lars; the State TO pay two-thirds and the
county ODe-third of the ASSESSOR commits
sioIs. The assessors not paid for as
sessments Of last year, are to BE paid
for 1874 and 1875 by draft Of the Comp
trOller upon the tax collector. The bill
passed under suspension of rules.
Senator Bradshaw moved TO take up the
bill opening up, for location, the vacant
lands in Fisher & Millef's colony. Adop-
ted and bill passed.
Senator Allison moved 20 take up the
bill to authorize Collin county to issue
bonds, with the unfaYorable report Of the
committee, witch holds the bin unco1sti-
tutional.
Senator Allison held that Galveston
county had been permitted to issue bonds
by an act passed early in the session, and
othe- counties were making application,
and he couldn't see how it was unconstitu-
tional for Collin county and all right for
others. The bill was recommitted.
Senator Shepard introduced bill regu-
lating the powers of the county courts.
Referred.
Senator Baker introduced bill making
it penal offense for persons to walk on
railroad tracks. Referred.
Senator Craven introduced a bill to
authorize the county court of Grayson
county to issue bonds for building a court
house. Referred.
The resolutions of instruction to the
Congressional delegation TO urge the MeN-
can war veterans pension bill passed.
Senate adjourned.
TUESDAY, February 0, 1875.
After the usual ceremonies the. Senate
commenced business.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Senator Ball, from the Committee on the
Penltentiary, reported favorably on the bill
providing for library in the penitentiary.
Senator Parker, from the Committee on
Agriculture, reported unfavorably on the
bill amending the laws for the protection of
farming interests.
Senator Friend, from the Committee on
Roads and Bridges, reported favorably on
the bill authorizing the county of Dewitt
to build bridge acros Sanches creek.
Senator Wood, from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported favorably on the bill to
authorize the transcribing of the records
for Menard county; tavorably on the bill to
authorize parties to build a boom across the
Colorado river; and fayorably on the sub
stitute for the bill providing for the removal
of county seats.
Senator Culberson, from the Committee
on Internal improvements, reported favora-
bly, bill Incorporating the Kaufman Tap
Railway Compay; also, favOrably on the
Denison, GAINESVILLE and Sabine Pass Rail
way Company; also, favorably to incorpo-
rate the Red River and Rio Grande Railway
Company, and favorably on the bill author
izing Kaufman county to aid the Kauf-
man Tap Railway.
Senator Russell, from select committe to
inquire into the condition of the county
Jail of Travis county and inmates thereof,
reported Travis county Jail to be verita-
BILE Calcutta Hole" and bill to author
ize the county to Issue bonds to aid in the
construction of the new Jail.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.
Senator Shepard introduced bill dein-
ing the terms misfeasance, malfeasauc3 and
nonfeasance of officers. Laid on table.
Senator Wood introduced bill amend
ing law regulating fees of General Land
Office, with view of making that Depart
ment self-sustaining. Referred.
Senator Bradley introduced q bill to
amend act to encourage building of rail
roads. Referred.
Senator Craven introduced bill for the
relief of Thomas Baker. Referred.
Senator Flanagan introduced a bill to
regulate proceedings in the several courts
of the State. Referred.
Senator Allison introduced a bill to en-
courage settlement upon the frontier.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Senator Shepard called up from the table
the bill defining the terms malfeasance,
etc., in Office, which passed. By the bill,
justice of peace or member of the county
court, failing, refusing or neglecting to per
form duties, or continued absence from OF
fee, or habltual drunkenness, is guilty of
nonfeasance; penalty fine of $40 to 500
and removal from office. The same officers
willfully refusing to discharge duties, or
who shall negligently, willfully or igno-
against a county, or refuse to grant any
right to any person in Justice court which
the law allows him, is guilty of mlsfea-
sance; penalty a fine of $40 to 500, re-
moval from office and confinement in Jail.
Malfeasance is when an officer fails to dis
charge the duties through fraudulent or
corrupt motives; penalty a fine of $50 10
$500 and penitentiary for five years.
Senator Hobby called up the bill author
izing Tyler county to transcribe the records
of Menard county for judicial purposes.
Passed.
Senator Ball called up the bill appropri-
ating five hundred dollars to purchase a
moral and instructive library for the penl-
Tertiary. Passed.
The Louisiana resolutions having been
set as the special order for this hour, were
deferred until tomorrow.
The unfavorable report of the committee
upon the bill authorizing certified copies Of
| land titles to be recorded in new counties
where land lies was discussed, and the Sen
ate refused to adopt the report. The bill
was ordered engrossed aud lies over.
The bill to regulate railroads was deferred
till Thus lay. 1t is called the Changers
The bill for the relief of Upton, sheriff
of Refugio county, passed.
The bill requiring counties to publish
statements of financial condition passed.
The House bill for the relief of Richard
son, Belo & Co., was referred to Committee
on Claims and Accounts.
Senator Russell, under suspension OF
rules, introduced q bill attaching BexaE
Territory to Kinney county, for Judicial
purposes. Passed.
Senate adjourned until 10 o'clock A. N.
to-day.
House.
SATURDAY, February 6, 1875.
Roll called; quorum present.
Mr.. Pickett introduced bill 20 incorpo
rate the Red River and Rio Grande Railway
Company, and to authorize the building o.
branches thereto. Referred.
Mr.. Kemble introduced bill to regulate