The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-10-14
EVENING SESSION.

The pending business was resumed, being
the motion of Mr.. Nnnn to refer the subject
matter of free schools to a select committee
of seven. Motion prevailed.
The next business considered was the ar
ticle on bill of rights.
On motion of Mr.. Mccormick, the first
article, defining the limits of the State of
Texas, was stricken out.
Section four provides that no religious
test shall ever he required for office, ex-
cept the belief in the existence of a Supreme
Being.
Mr.. Moore moved to strike out that por-
ton requiring any one, as qualification for
office, to believe in the existence of lSu-
preme Being. Lost.
Section three provides that no man or set
of mon shall be entitled to exclusive, sepa-
rate public emoluments, but in considera-
ton of public services.
Mr.. Flournoy moved TO strike ont 'sbut
in consideration of public services Lost.
Mr. Ferris offered to amend section one
by asserting "Texss is a free and independ-
ent State, subject oniyHto the Oanstitution
of the United States Adopted.
Mr. Norvell moved to amend section FIVE
by inserting provided that no atheist shall
be competent witness" Laid on the
table.
Mr.. DeMorse offered the following as a
substitute for section one: ''Texas is one
of the free and independent States of the
United States of America, holding that in
dependence in conformity with the Consti-
tuition OF the United States; and that the
maintenance of free institutions and the
most enduring support of the Federal
Union, depend upon the preservation of the
: - o1lf Az
States comprising that Union" Lost.
Section six asserts that no human author
ity can interfere with any ones religious be-
lief.
Mr.. Holt offered to amend as follows:
s'Provlded rothing in this section shall be
so construed as to prohibit the Legislature
from passing laws preventing ordinary
work on Sunday"
On motion of Mr.. Weaver, the amend
ment was laid on the table.
Section eight provides for the liberty of
speech and the press. And that in all
civil and criminal cases for libel, the truth
may be given in evidence to the jury, and
if it shall appear that the alleged libellous
matter was published with good motives,
and for justifiable ends, it shall be suffi-
cient defense" ECI gTEE
Mr.. Mclean moved to amend, by insert
ing after the word matter, the words 'is
true and"
Mr.. Moore offered to amend, by adding
after the word Jury" the words ''who
shall have the right to determine the law
and facts, under the direction of the county
as in other cases, so 3iIhTf
Mr.. Reagan offered the following as q
substitute for both amendments:
sIn prosecutions for the publication of
papers investigating the conduct of officers
or men in public capacity, or when the mat
ter published is proper for public informa-
ton, the truth thereof may be given in evil
dence; and in all indictments for libel, the
Jury shall have the right to determine the
| law and tho facts under the direction Of the
| court as in other cases. {"
On the subject Of libel quite an animated
discussion arose between Messrs. Reagan,
Henry of smith, Crawford, Weaver, Stock.
dale and Dohoney.
The amendment of AIr. Moore was with.
drawn. re-
The amendment of Mr.. Reagan was adopt
ed.
Convention adjourned until a. NJ to
morrow.