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

emOnies.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Senator Westfall, from the Committee on
Education, reported favorably upon the bill
providing for the sale Of public lands.
Also, favorably on the bill amending the
laws providing for q system Of public free
Also, faYorably on the bill providing for
proper disbursement of money raised to
build school houses.
Senator Moore, from the Committee on Fed
eral Relations, reported favOrably upon the
bill concerning the Mexican war veterans.
Senator Ireland, from the Judiciary Commit
| tee, reported faVorably on the bill consoli-
dating and amendiDg all laws regulating
officers fees. The bill was ordered printed
Senator Culberson, from the Committee
on Internal Improvements, reported an
amendment to Senator Dryers Interna-
tiOnal Railroad bill, defining the character
of the bonds to be issued to the road-same
as bonds by act of the last session, to take
up the floating debt.
Senator Ireland, from the judiciary Com
mittee, reported favorably on the act pre-
scribing the time for holding csurts in the
Thirteenth District.
Also, bill amending the mode of adop-
ton.
Also, a bill for the relief of Charles
| Philips.
Also, House bill regulating fire and
marine insurance companies; and against
the act amending the Penal Code; in IA
Vor of referring the bill declaring certain
persons outlaws to the committee on Joint
commission to investigate the Mexican
border troubles, and favorably on the
amendment to the act concerning rents and
advances. Also, faVorably upon the bill
fixing the time at the first Monday in Aug
ust for holding general elections, and
against the law changing the rules in the
suits involving titles to real estate.
A special committee, Senator Westfall
chairman, reported a bill authorizing the
Governor to employ an occullst at $1,000
to treat the inmates of the Blind Asylum.
Senator Flanagan, from the Internal Inn
provement Committee, reported substitute
bill to encourage the construction of the
Marble Falls canal. The bill gives twenty
sections of land to the miIoe and fifty sec
tions for the Austin reservoir; the CITY of
Austin to have water for FIRE purposes and
public grounds for irrigation gratis.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.
Senator Bradshaw introduced a resolu-
ton that there be no further legislation this
session on the subject of the International
railroad. Laid over under the rules.
Senator Bradley introduced resolution
to authorize the Commissioner of the Land
Office to employ draughtsman ana night
Waterman. Referred.
Senator Davenport introduced a resolu-
ton to validate the acts of Mr. Suttle, nota-
ry of Bell county. Passed under suspension
of rules.
Senator Russell introduced bill to regu-
late the terms of court in the Twenty fourth
Judicial District. Referred.
Senator Hobby introduced q bill to aid
in the navigation of the Neches nver
Referred.
Senator Randle introduced a bill to au-
thorize the court of Walker county to levy
tax to pay judgment against the county.
Referred
Senator Stirman introduced bill to regu-
late taxation. Referred.
Senator Ireland introduced Joint resolu-
ton proposing to the United Stetes that
Texas would defend her frontier for 50, Co., |
600 per annum, and authorizing the Gov
ernor to open correspondence with the |
War Department on the subject.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Senator Joseph moved to suspend the |
rules and take up the amendment to the |
bill chartering the Gulf, Colorado and |
Santa Fe Railroad Company. Carried.
Senator Shepard moved to amend so that |
the road touch either BRENNAN, Chappell |
Hill or Burton IL crossing Washington
county.
Senator Joseph accepted the amendment
and the bill passed as amended.
Senator Shepard called up the bill prnYid-
ing for the establishment of boundaries |
between the counties of Waller and Grimes. |
Passed under suspension of rules.
Hour announced for further considera- !
ton of joint resolution calling county con-
ventions, question being to change day of !
election from first Tuesday in April to first |
Monday in September, 1875.
Senator Ireland spoke in favor of the |
and it was adopted by vote of |
10 to 10.
Senator Bradley moved to amend by pro-
viding that at the election voters shall vote |
for or against holding convention, and in |
the event that majority are for conven-
ton, the Governor shall call it !; otherwise, |
no convention. He said he took issue with |
the gentlemen who had said the people de- |
mand the convention; believes the people |
of the State are not in favor of calling con-
vention, and if the question was properly |
before them they would vote against it !;
had talked with many and few favored it. |
His people were against it; they only re-
quire changes in the Constitution that we
actually needed, and that if the provision
upon roads was amended. two-thirds of the
people would be satisfied with the present
Constitution. Gentlemen say the people
demand convention. Then they cannot OBJ.
ject to this opportunity, which will be Of
fered the people to express their wishes.
> Senator billiard said if he thought there
was doubt as to the peoples wishes he
would vote for the amendment; but the
matter had been before them two years,
was fully discussed, and in more ways and
on more occasions than one, and they had
unequivocally declared for it. He thought
the amendment would lead to defeat of
the convention.
Senator Shepard was inclined at first to
support the amendment, because it would
put to rest the question; but now opposed
it, because q minority of the Democratic
party uniting with the entire Radical party
would defeat convention people want new 4
Constitution, that the Legislature may
have legislative power TO make road and |
bridge laws. Already we hear of numer-
Gus candidates for delegates in Northern |
counties, and, If these amendments pass,
the candidates opposing the convention |
will unite Democrats opposing the conven-
tion with the Radicals, who Wilfa all oppose /
it, and defeat it.
Senator Bradley said the gentlemen have
made rather strange confessions in saying
they have no doubt Of the vast majority
favoring, and yet oppose giving the people |
to SO declare. He believes that
IL not a single Radical voted against It there
would be enough Democratic votes to de-
feat the convention. It is proper to sup
pose it possible for the people to oppose a
and therefore the duty Of the
Legislature to provide for such emergency;
appears to him that if the members are not
afraid Of the people-afraid to submit the
matter to their judgment-they would
vote for the amendment.
Upon reaching q vote the amendment
carried by q vote of II to 10, as follows:
Yeas-Senators Allison, Baker, Bradley,
Ellis, Erath, Flsnagan, Hobby, Ireland,
Ledbetter. Morris, Moore, Parker, Randle, \