The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-02-04

LEGIsLATlvE PROCKEDINGs.
senate.
WEDNESDAY, January %, 1870.
The Senate opened with the usual GER
emonies.
PETITIONS.
For the relief Of the sheriff Of Kau man
county: Referred
OF citizens CT Fort Bend, asking, in view
OF the faiiure Of crops ard aeed Of jail. for
donation OF the State taxes FOR 1875 to
build new Jail. Referred.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Senator Ireland, from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported unfavoraDly upon the Sem
ate bill authorizing Walker county TO appro-
pirate certain moneys TO pay Judgment in
favor Of Mrs. Murray Walker; favorably
upon the bin legalizing acts of the town Of
Victoria; also, 10 legalize all amendments
to charters of towns and cities made under
the general act for incorporation of towns
and cities, approved April, 1874; also, act
prohibiting persons not authorized by law
from using official seals unfavorably upon
the bill cOnferTing upon the international
Railroad the right to sue the State, and the
compromise by the issuance of $3, zoo, 900
bonds; reports a substitute for the bill
to utilize the inmates of the State Asy-
| lums by their employment in public print
ing bureau. 1t provides for a teacher Of the
art of printing in the ssylums, establish
ment of bureau and an appropriation Of
S2500 to carry il into effect. Recommends
me oiH requiring snerIIfs TO Settle the frss
Of May Of each year, be referred to the FL
nance Committee, and submits that acts in
force cover the case. -ht
Canofor- arffaH f-o,,, A., =. -
Education, reported favorably, with an uD-
important amendment, upon the bill char
tering Austin College, and favorably upon
the bill chartenng Lamar University, with
an amendment striking out the privilege of
giving away portions of the proceeds of en-
tertainments given to raise funds to aid the
institution. The committee refused to
legalize any appearance of lottery.
| Senator Culberson, from the Committee
on Internal Improvements, reported favor
ably upon the act incorporating the Direct
Trade Company, of the Patrons of Hus-
bandry; also, a supplementary act incor-
porating the Westerr Narrow Gauge Rail
road Company, and unfavorsbly on the bill
donating twenty sections OF land to tho In
ternationai Railroad Company, and exempt
ing the company's property from taxation
| for twenty years. -
Senator Ireland said the report just read
was not unanimous, and that minority, at
he proper time, would be heard from.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS. q
Senator Russell-A bill to encourage the
construction of canals and bitches for i'm
provement of navigation and irrigation
purposes. The bill provides for land sub
sides. Referred.
Senator ELISA bill for the relief of W.
H. Coleman, Sheriff of Lavaca county. He
had settled with the Comptroller of the
last administration, qnd paid balance due
to the Treasurer, but the books now show
a balance against him. Referred.
Senator Bradley offered bill repeating
the act granting pensions TO Texas veterans
| in the war of Independence. 1t provides,
however, that.certihcates issued under the
provisions Of the act are not to be affected.
Referred.
] Senator Ball introduced bill to regulate
rates Of interest. Section one provides that
parties to any written contract may agree to
any premium or rate of interest not to ex-
! ceed twelve per cent. per annum. Section
two provides that in case of the violation
of section one, the premium or interest
shall be forfeited, but the principal to be
collectible by law. Section three provided
that judgments are to bear eight per cent.
| interest. Referred.
Senator Flanagan introduced bill regu-
lating the times of holding courts in the
Sixth District. Referred,
Senator Friend introduced bill amend
| ing the Penal Code, making it felony 10
alter, change or remove the boundary
marks and trees on the lines or corners OF
surveys of land, without the consent of the
/ o. -
not less than three years and fine of one
thousand dollars. Also, making it felony
for any person discharging firearms at OF
| into any dwelling, stable or barn, or enter
ing the same without permission.
! Senator Joseph introduced bill to amend
an act Incorporating the Galveston Agrlcul-
] tural and Horticultural Association, so as to
allow the company to borrow money, issue
bonds and mortgage property. Referred.
Senator Baker introduced bill to enable
cities and towns to establish independent
free public schools, such cities and towns
\ to be detached from county school districts,
and power by taxation to, raise additional
amounts for school purposes to those allow
ed by the general law. Referred.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Senator Westfall call up substitute to bill
Incorporating the Marble Falls Canal. The
amendment to substitute, twelve sections in
place of twenty sections per mile, provided
/ for by substitute was lost, and under sus-
pension Of rules, the bill passed by vote oi
twenty to ten.
Senator Shepard made motion to take
up last session bill for relief of the heirs OF
Sylvester Bowen. Adopted and bill re-
ferred.
Senator Ledbetter made a motion to take
up the bill authorizing the citizens of the
! town of Ledbetter to reorganize a munich
pal government. Adopted and bill passed
under suspension of rules.
Senator Davenport moved to take up the
bill authorizing the employment of an occu-
list to treat the eyes of the inmates of the
Blind Institute, and appropriating $1,000
therefor. Passed.
Senator Billiard gave notice that he would
reconsider the vote of yesterday by which
the Senate refused to pass the Senate bill
amendatory of an act providing for special
registration of voters ~
Senator Ireland called up the bill ineor
porating the Lamar University. Passed.
Senator Moore called up the bin fixing
the time for holding the courts in the Twen.
ty-fourth judicial District. Passed.
Also an act amending an act punishina
4
Also an act for the relief Of builders and
master mechanics. Lost.
THURSDAY, January %, 1875.
The Senate opened with the usual cere-
monies.
/ PETITIONS.
From the members of the bar of Fori
/ Worth, asking that TGrrant county be de.
tached from the Fourteenth and added Il
the Fifteenth Judicial District. Referred
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Senator Davenport, from ths Committee
on Public Printing, reported favorablY upon
the bill authorizing the Beard Of Public
Printing to employ practical printer TO sic
them in the discharge of their duties; f.
vorably upon the joint resolution authoriz
ing the translation Of the laws Of the -Four
teenth Legislature into German and Span.
] ish