The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-01-28

knies suspended and bill passed by vote
Senator Westfau called MP Senate bill to
encourage construction Of Marble Falls Ca
nal, and substitute, and moved to suspend
rules.
Senator Dryer moved to amend by in
serting twelve sections" in place of ''twen-
ty sections per mile. Amendment adopted.
On motion of Senator Flanagan, bill was
then re-Teferred 70 Committee on Internal
Improvements.
Senate adjourned till Monday, 10 A NJ.
MONDAY, January 25, 1875.
Senate opened with usual ceremonies.
Senator billiard presented the credentials
of Senator N. g. Cravens, who qualified
and took hisseat
"A message was received from the Cover
nor, nominating Leon Blum pilot commits
sioner for Galveston, rice H. L. Moody. re-
signed, and j. B. Mitchell, n. Gussett, Jack
Sands, Perry Humphreys and William
| Evans pilot commissioners for Arkansas Pass.
The petition Of John Ingram was re-
ferred.
A petition was received from the medical
board of Parker county, asking for infor-
nation concerning the construction to be
given the law regulating the practice Of
medicine.
Senator Stirman, from the Committee on
State Affairs, reported House bill prohib-
ting the manufacture and sale of Liquors at
certain towns.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.
Senator Bradley introduced joint reso
luton providing for the submission to the
people of a constitutional amendment,
authorizing the Legislature to divide the
| State into convenient judicial districts;
| also, one to reform the road and bridge tax
of the present Constitution Referred.
Senator billiard offered resolution that
the Board of Public Printing be requested
to furnish the Legislature with the contract
made with the publishing house at Austin
for extraneous printing. He said he under
stood such a contract had been made; that
the contract for doing the general printing
included the extraneous printing of the
Legislature, but that he was informed that
the contract at Austin was twenty per cent.
below that of the contract for general
printing. Referred.
Senator Shepard introduced a bill re-
pealing theact regulating the practice of
medicine. Referred.
Senator Joseph introduced bill limiting
the amount of debt which cities and towns
may contract in aid of railroads and other
public enterprises to five per cent. of value
of property subject to taxes. Referred,
Senator Davenport introduced a bill to
authorize the Board of Printing to employ
practical printer to assist them in examln-
ing propositions and passing upon matters
before them. Referred.
Senator Ireland introduced bill to regu-
late gaming. Referred.
Senator Ball introduced bill prohibiting
persons from keeping seals or limitations of
seals of public officers. Referred.
Senator Friend introduced a bill provid-
ing for funding outstanding warrants of
1861, issued by the Comptroller and Treas
urer. Referred.
Senator Westfall introduced bill to au-
thorize the employment and payment of
lawyers in civil cases. Referred.
Senator Ball introduced bill fixing the
time for holding courts in the Thirteenth
District. Referred
Senator Allison moved to take up bill
making an appropriation to defend John
Morris for killing stage robber. Re
ferred.
Senator Shepard called up the bill provid-
ing for the registration of voters, and
moved a suspension of the rules to read it
the second time.
Senator billiard thought the people are get
ting tired of registration.
Senator Shepard urged registration on
account of the condition of his county,
where new registration is demanded.
Senator Ellis said he would vote against
the bill as it stands. 1t brings us back to
the system inaugurated by the Twelfth Leg
islature. The system was used by the Gov
ernor in 1870 and 1871 to the wrong and in
jury of tho people, and while he bad every
confidence in the present Executive, he viii
oppose clothing future Governors with the
powers which may be so readily abused.
Senator Shepard offered an amendment
limiting the time of the act to be IN force to
one year, when the bill was referred, at his
instance, to the Judiciary Committee.
Senator Westfall made a motion to take
up the insurance bill, which was adopted,
and the bill, with amendments providing
for penalties, was passed by the Senate under
a suspension of the rules.
Senator Bradshaw poved to take up
the House bill to encourage irrigation;
passed to second resding and finally re-
committed. The bill passed the House last
session, and provides that persons owning
lands on running streams may turn the
waters of such streams upon their lands for
purposes of irrigation, provided upon pass
ing below their lands the water is to be
turned back into the bed of the stream, and
that a suficiency of water be left persons
living below for the use of stock and Gu
hnarY purposes.
Senator Ball, from the Committee on
Frontier Protection, reported a considera-l
ton of a portion of the Governors mes
sage, relating to frontier protection, and in
view of the short session, would not at pres
ent propose any change in the provisions of
existing laws, but would recommend an
appropriation of $500, 600 for the year to
meet the expense of keeping an adequate
force in the field. Referred to the Finance
Committee.
Senator Culberson, from the Committee
on Internal Improvements, reported favora-
bly, on the bill amending the act incorpora-
ting the Lake City Railway Company. The
bill passed under suspension of rules.
Senator Hobby moved to take up the bill
appropriating $4,000 for the improvement
of the Capitol grounds. Passed under sus-
pension of rules.
The President announced, as the next in
order of unfinished business, the resolution
of Senator Bradshaw, that there shall be-
further legislation upon the international
Railroad question; but the Senate ad-
journed till 10 o'clock tomorrow.
The outstanding warrants proposed to be
funded by Senator Friends bill, introduced
this morning and referred, were issued dur
ing Sam Houston's administration for pro- |
lection of the frontier, and amounting orig |
inally to $53, 600, amount now, with inter |
est at ten cent, to about 500, 900.
TUESDAY, January 90, 1875.
The Senate opened with the usual cere-
monies.
Senator Russell presented the petition Of |
L. C.. Furguson, for relief. Referred.
Senator Culbefson, from the Committee |
on Internal improvements, reported favora.
bly, upon the bill to improve the navigation |
of the Neches river from Weiss Bluff to
Burns's Bluff
Senator Davenport presented commu-
nication from the Secretary of State, with q |
copy of a contract between the Printing /
Board and j. ID. Elliott. for doing the cur
rent printing. The contracts are for q
quarter Of one per cent per page for the
first five hundred psges, and one-ffth Of