The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-25
recognize it to be, we can't have too

recognize it to be, we can't have too
much OF it.
The motion to substitute was lost
by vote of 81 NAYS to Z ayes, and
on motion of Mr.. Harris. the majority
report was adopted, killing the bill.
Mr.. Martin reported the correct en-
grossment of senate bills %, % and 81.
Senate bill No. was passed to en-
grossment; andsenate joint resolution
No. 10, fixing the tax to pay the debt
at not exceeding 80 cents on the 500
valuation, was laid before the senate.
Mr.. Davis moved to amend by
striking out fifty cents and inserting
forty cents.
Mr.. Davis-That is with reference
to the amount of the state tax. The
state tax by the present constitution
is % cents on the 800 valuation. In
behalf of the amendment | will say
that there is nothing so likely to carry
with the people as to reduce taxation.
One-fourth of the tax goes to the
public schools. The amount for reVe-
nue. purposes cannot exceed 3715 cents
under the present constitution. The
Democratic party favor relieving the
general tax from the schools and
having a special tax for the purpose,
and an amendment is now before the
committee providing for that want.
Now, what is the result? We will
submit the management to the people,
freeing the general revenue from the
burdens of schools; consequently, it
will be raising the state tax twelve
and one-half cents higher than it has
been since 1876. 1t has been
my observation that these limitations
in state taxes answer a good purpose.
In 1876 the state tax was placed at
fifty cents on the 800, and the cry
came up from everywhere that it was
too low, and for three or four years
after the constitution of 1876 was en-
forced the state fell behind every
year; but that provision made us
think; made us look to all the branches
of government and ecOnomize, and in
duced us to make earnest effort to run
the government within the limit, and
we soon found out we not only could
do it but we have been running the
government on it ever since. To-day
one-fourth is to go to free schools,
and we have a surplus in the treasury,
and | see no necessity for raising the
limit, but think we should strike out
fifty cents and make forty cents the
margin for the revenue tax. BY this
we free the general government from
the burden of the common schools.
Mr.. Peacock.-lt occurs to me that
this proposition to amend should be
printed. l dislike very much to vote
upOn'a proposition that is not printed.
l move, therefore, that the pending
resolution and amendment proposed
thereto be printed.
Mr.. Martin moved to amend by
making the bill and amendments the
special order for Saturday morning.
Amendment accepted and the motion
prevailed.
BY Mr.. Terrell: A oil amending
the present law in reference to district
and county attorneys.
Senate bill No. 81, diminishing the
jurisdiction of the county courts of
Camp and Norris counties, and con-
forming the jurisdiction of the dis
trict courts thereto. was engroSSed.
Also, senate bill No. 81, making it
a miSdemeanor to use insulting, vul-
gar or profane language in OF near any
private or public place.
Also, senate bill No. 9, fixing the
fees of county officers for attendance
upon felony cases in examining courts.
On motion of Mr.. Kleberg, the senate
adjourned to Friday at 10 o'clock a. IN