The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-01

Also, from citizens of the city OF
Austin, asking for amendments to
the city charter, so rs to permit the |
issuance of bonds for sewers, streets
and bridge purposes.
Also, from V. q. Fowler, Ellen |
Burnham and Others, of Burnet coun-
ty, relating to a prohibition amend
ment. All referred.
Mr.. Johnston, of Shelby. by request: |
On the subject of stock and stock |
raising. Referred.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES. |
Internal mprovements.-Mr.S Shan |
non. chirman, reported favorably SEN |
ate bill No. 2S3, requiring railroad |
companies in this state to allow per- |
sons 10 travel on freight trains on |
railroads that have not two trains |
daily, each way.
State Asylums.-Mr.F arrar, chair |
man, reported favorably house bin |
No. 201, providing for the maintenance
of lunatics by commissioners courts
when they cannot be admitted
into the asylums, and requir-
ing the state to reimburse
the counties when they have main
tanned lunatics under such cirum-
stances.
State Affairs.-Mr. Patton, chair
man, reported favorably house joint
resolution No. Sc, granting leave of
absence to John X. Kennard from the
state for sixty days.
For senate bill No. 247 a committee
substitute, making an appropriation
of $3.50 to purchase portraits OF the
presidents and governors of Texas.
Adversely, the petition of b. ID.
Basford, for services rendered the
state as spy on the frontier during
1883.
Favorably, with committee bill, Pc
tition of citizens of New Braunfels,
asking for change in their city char
ter.
Finance.-Mr. Pfeuffer, chairman,
reported a substitute for senate Till
No. 1893. making an appropriation for
the ordinary and regular general ex-
penses of the state government in
support thereof for two years, begin
ming March /, 1888, and ending Febru-
airy %, 1885.
Roads and BridgeS.-Mr. Perry,
chairman. reported favorably senate
bill No. 264, providing for laying out
and opening of public roads.
| BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. Buchanan: A bill to amend
article 420 revised statutes. Referred.
MIR. Collins: A bill repeating laws
granting land or road certificates
granted to railroads, approved April
%, 1882.
Mr.. Jones: A bill amending exist
ing law with reference to the manner
of listing rolling stock.
Morning call concluded.
| Mr.. Davis moved to reconsider the
votes by which committee substitutes
| for sections 3, and 6, article of the
constitution were engrossed.
Mr.. Houston moved to lay the
motion to reconsider on the table.
Carried; ayes II, nays IL.
| Senate joint resolution No. 90 was
called up, but passed over without
action.
SPECIAL ORDER.
Senate bill No. 200. providing for
the classification, sale and lease of
lands heretofore or hereafter surveyed
for the benefit of the common school
fund.
| Mr.. Davis, an amendment: "And
university" after school" Adopted.
Mr.. Houston, amendment: Strike
out governor" as member of the
land board.
Mr.. Terrell, amendment to Mr..
HoustOn's amendment, by striking
out attorney general, comptroller,
treasurer, secretary of state and com.
missioner of the general land office"
Mr.. Gibbs, opposing the amend
ment, said:
After three days discussion and
consideration, we have instructed the
committee to prepare the pending bill,
and they having complied with the
instructions, / am prepared to adopt
their work as the best we are likely
to get.
While do not approve of all the
features of the bill, yet they are In
the main good, and if we do not pass
this bill, the result will be that what
is left of the school lands will be COB
bled up under the existing law. The
duties of this board are merely super
visory, and while do not approve of
placing too much work ON the heads
of departments, yet l do not
think these additional duties
will require much of their
time. and have more confidence in
their honesty and judgment than any
board we might create.
Now, there is one of two things we
must do in order to dispose of these
lands: we must either create new
and well paid department to manage
these great interests, or put the lands
in the hands of our state officers and
let them employ necessary help. l
believe these lands Should be put up
on the market for sale or lease under
the restrictions of the bill, and leave
the details to be arranged by this
board.
These lands are worth at least sixty
millions. and by judicious manage
meIt can be made to realize even
more, and this board have just power
enough to adopt a system founded
upon business principles.
Ii syndicate or Individual owned
these lands they would, as agood bus
mess transaction, give two and one
half per cent as commission Oh sales;
yetssome of the senators expect these
lands to be disposed of at trifling eX-
penditure. 1t is false economy to
try TO discharge the duties of
government in a miserly manner.
The lands sold at fifty cents an acre
could have been made to realize three
times this amount if they had been
disposed of on business principles and
through proper agency instead of
spectators having been invited by
law to take them at fifty cents per
acre. Economy is good thing in
government as well as in individuals,
but when carried TO an excess is a
curse and can be shown to have been
curse to Texas in more than
one instance. 1t is not the
misery individual or government
which thrives the best. / want to
see this board allowed enough to es-
tablish an efficient system for the dis
poSal of these lands. The limitations
fixed by this bill are sufficient for all
practical purposes and this board have
just enough discretion left them to
make their work productive of good
results. 1 am fearful we will have
no legislation on this question unless
we accept this bill pretty much as re-
ported from the committee and such
4 result would be most disastrous to
the school interests. desire to see
the schools get the benefit of this
fund as rapidly as is consistent with
the prudent administration of the
trust.
l don't think we should keep
these lands off the market but lease
or sell them on the best terms and
such will be the result of this bill.
| Mr. TarralI Withdraw hic amand