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

tion unless the consolidation taxes plnce.
The Eighteenth Is safe. and therefore the
members from that district can a6ord to
reject this amendment. The Fifteenth Dis
trict would be turned over 70 ignorance.
He did not mean 50 much 20 negro induenoe
as to bad white influence. He respected
the colored member from Harrison IS q con.
scientious representative.
AIr. Abnar (colored), from Harrison, said
he did not know that he cared much about
the amendment. He had been raised with
democrats, and he respected them; buzz
ne.t - suggest that they wore now getting
little too greedy. he said that the cen.
uenan spoke OF Ignorance, but that he was
responsible with other white people. 10 a
great extent, for that ignorance. re said
tnat the Sentleman's effort TO compliment
him could not make him untrue Ia the inter.
ests he represented. The Democrats marty
wants too much, and it may kin itself IN
the effort. Ifit has everything its ewn Tav-
It may, as in 1866, form another Consl;fn.
ton that viii require overturning. Demo.
cratS had had their own way now for over
year, and their State is s., 900, 900 moro
in debt than when it passed out Of Repub-
lican hands.
Mr. Roberts said that, in answer TO the
gentleman from Grimes, he would ask how.
II his county was Republican, did he get
his seat in the Legislaturel Reclaimed that
the black people desired good government.
As to himself, he was going to vote against
the constitutional convention. He re-
spected some Democrats as much as ANYBODY.
He loved his former master, and he knew
that he had confidence in him. He knew.
too, thatif the Democratic party went into
excesses, it would split wide open, and the
Republican party would enter the breach.
He might be ignorant, but he would be
true TO his country, and he would vote
against q constitutional convention.
The resolution to reject the amendment
for the consolidation OF the two districts
was carried.
The next amendment was one to strike out
that part of the bin requiring general
election TO be held at the tlme the delegates
to the constitutional convention were to be
elected. After some little discussion this
was adopted.
BIr. Sayers said he had to recognize that
some Of the amendments proposed 70 the
bill are inopportune. He, as chairman Of the
Committee on Constitutional Convention,
reported the Senate bill in its main feafuna,
but it appeared from the position he now
took that his sympathy was all tho other
way. He regretted that there had been any
division in the committee. Hc spoke %
say to the House that he was satisfied tho
people would not submit to any conditional
call Of q convention. They wanted one
beyond doubt aud no was in favor Of
making the call absolute and without delay.
Mr.. Jaskman said chat be objectedto the
calling of q constitutional convention In
consequence of taxation. He believed all
could be effected by amendments. he was
opposed TO increased taxation, and be was
opposed to demagogcaI speeches. lie
did not believe tho people wanted a conYen.
tioR.
hr. Denman apsFfsng tho VIII Of the
Ir,aeSoysis ~ 2 af tho State. They have been prom
ised for years that a new Constitution
should be framed. Governor Coke was
eleaed upon a platform advocating con-
stitutional convention. The gentlemen op-
posing it were elected upon the same plat
form, Tho State convention and the dis
trict conventions haveal expressed desire
of the people 10 have a convention. he
would not arrogate to himself to say that
the people Of Texas do not know what they
wanted. He had never heard a man talk
against a convention, and be, besides, rec.
oguized the time-honored custom Of the
people making their wants known through
conventions.
Mr. Storey said he was going 10 vote Tor
a constitutional convention. He said, how
ever, that no nominating convention had
any right to call a convention. BE, there
fore, did not intend 70 vote for a constitu-
tional convention in consequence Of any
conception of instruction from the people
to do SO, but because ho knew one was
necessary. BE was opposed TO large body
forming q convention, and would, there
fore, demand q small representation, enc
from each Senatorial district. He, besides,
said that it was not in conformity with
Democratic usage TO cram q convention
upon the people, and, therefore, he
would be in favor Of submitting amend.
menta to the people at the same time that
the question Of convention" or s'no con-
vention," is submitted. Let them have
amendments to vote upon, and at the Same
time express themselves whether they will
have a convention Of not
Blr Swain, Of Red River, said the posi-
ton of Mr. Storey was rather singular. he
had once held somewhat similar views, but
since then he had learned there was no an.
settled disposition in the minds Of the peo.
pie about the calling Of a convention. Ia
Northern Texas, the Gibraltar Of Texas De-
mocracy. there is no dissenting voice. Put
the complex questions before the people and
convention will be defeated. Convcn-
tions have all declared in favor Of q consti-
tutional convention, and We have no right
TO 90 back Of such expressions. They
were such as the Democratic party had al.
ways acknowledged. II this Legislature does
not intend to call q constitutional conyen-
ton, it is best for the members 70 resign and
60 home, and n0topen themselves longer 70
Tidicule aHd scorn.
House adjourned 70 10 A. H. to-day.
THURSDAY, February 4, 1875.
Roll called quorum present. Journals
read and approved.
Mr.. McLeary moved to 20 into e com,
mite Of tho whole on the Dill proFiding fol
q constitutional convention.
Mr.. Barziza objected to resolving the
House into q committee, and the motion
was Withdrawn.
The resolution to strike out that part ol
the Senate bill, saying And a. eaid cleo
tion each voter, IN voting Tor delegates,
shall vote, for convention, Or against
convention and the vote Of eacii county.
for and against convention, shall Be cerii
fed 70 the Secretary Of State by the pre-
siding justice Of such county and, Il upon
the count Of the vote of the people Of Tie
State, Il be found that q majority have
voted Tor q convention, Il shall Be the
duty Of the Governor 70 Issue bis procis.
nation conycning the delegates elected q
said convention In acCordance with the pro.
visions of this joint resolution; Pfogsaed,
that il it be found ihat q majority ol the
voters at said election have voted 'agelnsl
4 Convention y then said convention shall
not Be convened.
Mr Harrison said II became bis duty q
make some remarks upon this imporian'
question. He acknowledged that the peo
Die bad 70 some extent spoken out upon
constitutional convention. The prcss ha'
spoken upon Il; the poiiticians have spoken
but the people have not he was 81 legc
Of q constitutional convention. Int h'
wanted il fairly and squarclT. He pro
posed % 60 back 70 the days % 5eaer.o'
and Jackson % fnd our how such 9 tlInf
should be done. lie said The LeEIlI1t1l.
ought % 90 slow; that fhc LreirlatD7o ha'
no riQht 70 call 8 ac0nslitufforaI cCnEE1 fI1n'