The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-03-08

point of q private citizen, desiring TO do
Justice to all parties that we should no
neglect nor Cypress the millions of capital
which we had invited into our state, ant
which had comein good faith and developed
up the great commercial interests OF oul
country that railroads contributed largely
to the support of our government and
paid more than one-tenth Of the genera
revenue of the state. He contrasted the
difference between the cost of building rail-
roads IN Texas and in other states, showing
that the cost per mile in Texas was much
greater, and that the same legislation in re-
gard to railroads in Texas as in other states
would work great hardship, and that rail
roads in Texas have never been able to pay
to any original stakeholder single dollar
OF dividend. He said he was in favor Of
some legislation In regard to railroads. but
that he considered the bill proposed unjust.
The time for the appointment of a COM
mission had not yet arrived, though the
time might come in the future when such q
commission would be necessary. He
thought that the commission would incur 0
useless expense to the state.
Pending further discussion, Upton arose
to point of order, that no man should be
permitted to speak over thirty minutes on
any one question.
Swami will give the gentleman my
time"
Upton-"The gentleman has no right to
offer his time until he is recognized by the
speaker. / disclaim any discourtesy to the
gentleman from Lampasas, but If the menu
bers are permitted to speak half an hour on
this subject we will be here at. least sixty
days longer"
Acker-"I don't think 1 have consumed
my entire time. l have a few minutes
longer"
The speaker decided that the gentle
mans time had not been consumed. and
Acker proceeding, said he was sorry that
he was boring his friend from Fayette; that
he had never spoken on any subject here
tofore more than three minutes, and that
he believed it to be a duty to his people to
express his honest sentiments. He referred
to the criticism of the press of the state
made by Mr.. Ohenoweth on last Saturday
and paid them high eulogy for the course
they had taken. He said reference had
been made to Mr.. Arnold's testimony be-
fore the committee. Arnold is a
truthful man, but like your humble
servant and many others, nature had not
been liberal in bestowing upon him the
power of understanding. He is an honest
man. / know HIM we'll, but there is such a
thing as being mistaken. At the conclusion
of Mr.. Acker's remarks, which were listened
to with marked attention. motion was
made to consider the bill section by section
and adopted,
The first section, relating to the appoint
ment of commissioners, was adopted
yeas 40; nays, 40.
The house then adjourned till 3p. m.
SENATE.
AUSTIN, March Especial Petition
were presented by Mr.. johnson, of Shelby
from citizens of San Augustine and Sabine
COMMITTEES ON judicial districts.
Mr.. Martin, from the committee on IN
ternal improvements presented q minority
report favoring the repeal of the law passe
at the extra session of the Seventeenth leg
islature repeating all laws granting land
certificates to railroads.
M essage was received from the governor
asking permission to withdraw his message
sent in few days ago appointing notaries
as he desired to correct errors therein
Granted.
The penitentiary lease was laid before the
senate, with Messrs. TerrelPs and Gooch's
amendments, pending yesterday.
Mr.. Houston took the floor, and in a
lengthy argument urged that the lease be
ratified.
Mr., Gooch, in an able speech, insisted
on revoking the lease, saying that when he
first came to Austin he did so believing
that he would favor it, but on reaching here
c'
its provisions, it did not commend itself to
his Judgment, and therefore he opposed its
ratification. He contended that he had
studied the question closely, and he be-
lieved it far better for the state to revoke
and take charge of the penitentiaries.
Mr.. Davis, in very able speech, insisted
il was an improvident contract and should
be revoked. He favored wiping out the en-
tire thing, even II faithful state ofhcers
To o1lnHa1 IN N ofrnruinU M
litical power which he believed was headed
by the lessees, and he considered it danger
Gus. and urged that it be knocked on the
head. He alluded to them being present in
the Hobbies, for the purpose, he said, OF
stopping legislation. He said that for the
state to control the penitentiaries will In
sure better care of the convicts and If
prompted by the dictates of humanity.
Mr.. Terrell took strong grounds against
confirming the lease, holding that 1t was
totally defective, not requiring even the
walls. He urged resumption, and clio.
auently commended that 1t was wise and
humane, and TO the interest Of the state,
financially and morally.
Adjourned till 3 o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The rendinp business was on the lease 81
the penitentiaries.
Mr.. Peacock said he was one OF the COM
mittee on penitentiaries, who in committee
voted against the minority report, because
he believed the term OF lease too long, but
as ii had been amended by reducing tne
time, he would now support Il and vote foi
It, lie endorsed the past administration Of
the state government, which had labored
to place the greatest number OF convicts
within the walls possible. He could sec nc
difference between leasing and hir'
ing the conyicts to planters by contract fol-
a term Of wears, as advocated by the oppo-
nents Of the lease. He claimed that II the
state resumed Il will cost $l26, 9l4 over and
above income Of hire Of outside conyicts 70
maintain these, within the walls. lie
thought Il good contract for the state.
Mr.. Davis moved the previous questIon.on
the amendment, seconded and the main
question ordered.
The question recurring on the adoption Of
Nj. Gooch's amendment, providing that
this prohibition shall not extend TO working
al industries for manufacturing nor e
building penitentiaries or reformato-ies, 4
was adopted.
The question recurring on the adoption
Of Mr.. Terrell's amendment prohibiting the
employment Of convicts on the new state
house or in cities, il was adopted.
The question recurring on the adoption
Of Mr.. fraylor's amendment TO str1ke oui
s.rstiGed" where il occurs In the resolution
and insert provided" was iost-yeas, II
Mr.. Davis offered 10 amend by providing
that the lease may, al any time, Be an.
nulled, and the state resume control Of tns
Pending the discussion, General Diaz was
announced, and was invited 70 seat Win
the president, and formally Introduced %
On motion Of Mr.. Gibbs. The senate tool
recess Of Eve minutes.
The question r-o1--ng - 80 s@''''i'n
Of Mr.. Dsvs uf.i. '.- =
Bheltf. -ss-
onded.
The seslA.s Doss.-s IllL, flll1-us q ienstnJ
discussion, Mr.. Gibbs moved 70 adjourn.
Lost. -.
sr,r IN ouDosfnr the lease. but yielded % Z
motion 70 adjourn until tomorrow