New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-23
LEGISLATION IN TEXAS.

has been agitated over division of
its Legislature, which came very near
blocking the wheels of the entire
State government. The session by the
constitution should last ninety days,
but might be prolonged indefinitely,
in the latter case the members receiving
two instead of five dollars per day. In
extra session they would receive five dol
lars. The ninety days would expire July
II. July Is concurrent resolution was
passed fixing the time Of adjournment.
There were then to be considered bills Of
appropriation, fee bills, to fix the time OF
assembling Of the sixteenth Legislature,
without which there would be none till
1879, general election law, one provid-
ing for system Of public schools, amend
ing the penal code, disposition Of Peniten-
tiary, about two hundred local bills and a
Senate bill, known as No. 3O3, extending
the time for railroads to comply with
their charter thirty days. This latter
caused all the trouble.
The Senate rescinded its action on adj
iournment. The House tabled a motion
Of the same kind. Up to July 20 the
time was occupied with local bills. On
that day the railroad bill came from the
Senate. There was not time to pass it.
An adjournment would cause the Texas
Pacific (the Scott railroad to lose its grant
of thirty millions Of acres. Thlrty-four
members were in favor of adjournment
and ffty-four against. No business was
done, the minority effectually defeating
all attempts to extend the adjournment,
and by call of the House, one member
being persistently absent without leave,
preventing any suspension of the rules.
Protracted sessions were held, one OF
twenty-five hours. lasting far into Sunday.
Monday morning at half-past ten o'clock,
by the aid of the Speakers ruling, the
majority carried motion to adjourn
to haif.past three o'clock. The mi
nority filed q protest, based on the
ground that the Legislature ceased to
exist at twelve o'clock. Governor Coke
was opposed to adjournment, requested the
House to continue, that the necessary
bills might be passed, and was also OPP
posed to an extra session, which the
minority hoped to make a necessity. At
half.past three there was no quorum, the
minority Of the Senate and House hold
ing consultation in the Supreme Court.
The majority passed resolutions urging
them to return, and receiving no response,
of order of arrest. Thirty-two of
the minority signed memorial to Gov
ernor Coke, but were all arrested and
marched to the House, where, after fling
voluminous protests, all but five took
their seats. These five resigned.
The success of the road was therefore
assured, and torrents of abuse fell on the
majority, stimulated, perhaps, by other,
the Huntington railroad interest. The
minority having vainly attempted to in
troduce bill fixing the pay Of members
at the extra session, at two dollars, their
action appeared the more disinterested.
Most, but not all of the majority, were in
favor of the Scott roc d, but none of the
minority were. That road is now, how
ever, looked upon as Philadelphia and
St. Louis concern, and hence the opposi-
ton. Both sides admit the absolute ne
cessity Of the passage Of the other bills.
Lengthy defenses Of the action of each
have been published. 1t is claimed that
the majority delayed legislation for the
sole purpose Of passing the railroad bill,
illegally or rather supplementary post
poned the important public measures, and
run roughshod over the minority by the ad-
journment over the time fixed to adjourn
sine die. But the majority claim that the
minority were willing to defeat all public
measures if they could defeat the railroad
bill. OF saddle the State with the expense
Of an extra session.
The ruling of the Speaker that mo-