The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-10-07


have been beneficial, but it had not. Con-
tinaal extensions of time were granted,
and none of them had Carried out their
original charters. Had railroads protected
our frontier No SIR. She had been pro-
tected by her own hardy sons. They had
stood by her in. all her dangers. Had rail-
roads built up this State 10 her present
greatness she had been built up by her
own true sons. He had participated in
many of her struggles, and had lived here
nearly ell his life, and was acquainted with
her early history.
Mr.. Barnett said these appeals to the
memories Of the past on either side was no
argument We came here TO make a con-
stitutlon for the future glory and greatness
Texas, and should do so calmly and din
passionately. He hoped that no acrimony
would be ,ngendered as had been done is
times past ia these very halls We should
rise to the majesty of the occasion, and
meet the issues presented as statesmen and
patriots. He was a compromise man. He
said he was in favor of limiting the Legis-
lature to granting a certain portion of the
public domain to build a grand trunk to the
West, and thereby snbserve the people of
that section; but he was opposed to grant
I ing subsidies to every wild cat scheme that
presented itself-thereby costing the State
thousands of dollars in the passage of the
very charters granting the same
| MIR. Dohoney was opposed to the amend
ment. He said the State should not change
her long established policy of aiding works
of internal improvement, without good and
sufficient reasons. He would admit that
this night had been abused by the last three
| legislatures, but the friends of the amend
ment should correct these abuses and not
strike at the policy itself. He would do all
In his power to correct these abuses, but
he was not in favor of prohibiting the Leg
islature from adding works of Internal inn
provement in legitimate and proper man
ner. The policy of granting aid to works
of internal Improvement, actually construc-
ted, lnaugurated in 1854, was the true poll
cy, and one that was wise and statesman
| like.
Mr.. West said he did not think this Con-
vention could decide this matter intelhgi-
bly, until after the report of the Committee
| on Education and Public Lands. There
was no need of hurry in this matter, and
| he would, therefore, move to pass over the
| present proposed amendment for the pres
| emit.
Mr.. German was opposed to the motion.
| He said the members had their minds made
/
course they would pursue before they left
| home. This matter had been discussed on
the hustings, in the Twelfth, Thirteenth
and Fourteenth Legislatures. 1t was moth
ing new. thine, time" was always being
| called for by the advocates of railroad
measures. Be careful how you grant time.
The fight was the people on one hand, and
railroad rings aud monopolies on the other.
Mr.. Russell of Wood introduced al
amendment as follows: provided this
clause shall not be so construed as to pre-
vent actual settlers from presumption priv
| ileges." f +
Mr.. Flournoy offered a substitute as fol
lows: 'In line 264, insert the words 'oI
land after the word money and add &c
the end of the section the following words
or of portions of the public domain for in
| ternal improvements, or TO actual settlers
by general law alone.'"
Convention adjourned to 9 A. M. ito
morrow.