The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-25
On motion of Mr.. Kleberg. reading

On motion of Mr.. Kleberg, reading
of the journal was dispensed with.
On motions on Messrs. Matlock and
Houston, Messrs. Cooper and John
stOn of Shelby, were excused for nom
attendance; the former for to-day, on
account of important business, and
the latter indefinitely, owing to i'll
ness in his family, which called him
home.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES.
Public Lands.-By Mr.. Matlock,
chairman: Favorable report on senate
senate bill No. 80, repeating the vet
Grams act.
Also. on senate bill No. 66, confirm
ing patents and surveys by virtue of
headlight and county warrants issued
under special laws enacted after
March, 1870, and prior to April, 1876.
Privileges and Elections.-By Mr..
Chesley, chairman: Favorable report
on senate bill No. lob, regulating the
manner of moving and location of
county sites in organized counties
where no county seats are located by
law. The bill applies to the organi-
cation of new counties, and its object
is to remedy defect in the present
law, so that in case of failure to Sc
lect a county seat by
the necessary majority vote
at the time of election of county Off
GERS, another election may be held for
the purpose-for which there is no
provision under the present statute.
Also, on senate bill No. So, amend
ing an act to adopt and establish a re-
vised civil Stitutes; its object being
| to shorten the time from the date of
election wherein the result shall be
computed and ascertained. The re-
port also requests the printing of 100
copies of the bill.
Judiciary No. by Mr.. Terrell,
chairman. favorable report on senate
bill No. SO, amending article 2266 re-
vised statutes, relating to suit on
sworn account.
Also, on senate bill No. los, amend
ing article 1865, revised statutes, re-
quiring affidavit to answers contain
ing certain matters, unless the truth
OF the pleadings appear of record.
Also, reported back senate bill No.
63, prescribing the mode of designat-
ing homestead, with the request
that 100 copies of the bill be printed.
The same as to senate bill No. go,
pertaining to hiring convicts.
Also, adverse report on senate bill
| No. 80, as to the manner of serving
notice on defendants in suits where
excess over homestead right is
claimed.
Also, recommending the following
substitute for senate bill No. II:
Every instrument of writing which
is admitted to be recorded in the office
of the clerk of the county court, and
which has been recorded, after being
proven or acknowledged in hemanner
provided by the laws in force at the
time of its registration, shall be adj
mitted as evidence without the neces-
! Sity of proving its execution; provid-
ed, that the party who wishes to give
it in evidence shall file the same among
the papers of the suit in which he
proposes to use it, at least three days
before the commencement of the
trial of such suit; and give
notice of such filing to the
opposite party, or some person
acting for him shall file affidavit
stating that he believes such instru-
ment of writing to be forgery; and
! If any party to suit shall file among
the papers of the case an affidavit
stating that any instrument of writ
| ing or aforesaid has been lost, or that
he cannot procure the original, GER
titled copy of the original shall be ad-
mitted in like manner as the original
should be.
The chair gave notice of the signing
of mouse bill No. 4, relating to the
contingent expenses of the eighteenth
legislature.
Judiciary committee No. ply Mr..
Patton, for the committee: Adverse
report on senate bill No. 81, relating
to the adoption of penal code and
criminal code of procedure.
Favorable report on senate bill No.
q, relating to the manner of service of
citation against incorporated compa-
MES and joint stock associations.
Also, on senate bill No. 5, regarding
merchandising on Sunday.
Also, on senate bill in reference to
disposing Of mortgaged property.
EngrosSed bills.-By Mr.. Martin,
chairman: The correct engroSsment
of senate bill No. 80, defining certain
acts that shall constitute disturbance
of the peace.
Roads and Bridges.-By Mr.. Perry,
chairman: A substitute for senate bill
No. 81, creating, establishing and di-
recting the lay out of certain roads as
"first-class roads," and fixing a penalty
for obstructing the same.
Mr.. Matlock, on behalf of the COM
mittee on public lands, moved that
100 copies of each of the following
bills be printed: Senate bill No. A,
leasing unorganiZed county school
lands, together with committee amend
ments; and senate bill No. As, provid-
ing for the appointment of county
surveyors in unorganiZed counties;
and senate bill No. 81, making provis-
ion for the sale of public lands. Or
dered.
By Mr.. Houston, at request of Mr..
Johnston, of Shelby, for the commit
tee on penitentiaries. reported back to
the senate senate bill No. Is, relating
to the establishment of a reformatory
farm for convicts of certain age,
with the requeet that one hundred
copies of the same be printed for use
of the senate.
On motion of Mr.. Houston, the re-
quest contained in the report was
granted, and on motion of Mr.. Martin
the two bills reported back by judi
ciary committee No. 1 were ordered
printed. One hundred copies of SEN
ate bill No. IS were also ordered print
ed on motion Of Mr.. Chesley.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.
BY Mr.. Davis: Resolved, That
committee of three be appointed to
investigate the books and records of
the comptroller's office in reference to
tho common school bonds isSupd Nav
ID, 1865, under the act of November
10, 1864, amounting to 1920, 367.13, and
ascertain the status of such bonds and
what credits, if any, the school fund
should allow, and report the facts to
the committee on education, as soon
as practicable.
Mr.. Davis said the committee was
considerably embarrassed in reference
to what the facts touching these
bonds are, and unless we can get data
to guide us, and upon which we can
rely, what course to pursue.
Mr.. Terrell would like to add
amendment "and all other facts con-
nected with the loan or investment
thereof, and demands, both of interest
and principal"
Mr.. Davis-I accept the amendment.
Resolution adopted.
BY Mr.. Farrar: A joint resolution |
granting leave of absence to Judge r.
c. Beale, county judge of Navarro |
county court. Referred.
By Mr.. Collin: A joint resolution |
requesting the Texas members of |
congress to effect some treaty with |
Mexico for the prevention of epidemic |
diseases on the border of the two re-