The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-03-06
The Senate Wranglps Over the RatiIica.
tion of the Penitentiary Lease,
but Without Settling
the Matter.
The Dallas City Charter Has Its Ex-
tension of Limits Feature
Eliminated.
The House Tackles the Railroad
Commission Bill, and n Num-
ber of
Members Air Their El0quence
On Each Side of the Ques-
tiOn.
San Antonio: A Child is Drowned In
Ditch.
A Murderer at sulphur Springs Gets
Ninety.Nine Years.
A Young Man Ofa Distinguished South
Carolina Family
Pleads Guilty TO Petty Theft at Wacl
and Is Jailed.
Other Interesting Matter by Specials
Other Interesting Matter by Specials.



SENATE.
AUSTIN, March 5,-[Special. l-Petitions
were introduced as follows:
By Mr.. Matlock-From citizens of Young
county, asking the transfer of civil and
criminal business from the county to the
district court; also from citizens of Wichita
county, protesting against change OF the
time of holding their courts.
BY Mr.. Buchanan--From citizens of
Smith and Cherokee counties, asking a pro,
hibitory amendment.
Mr.. Cnesley, from the committee on
elections, fayorably to amend the election
law so as to secure an earlier count OF
votes.
Mr.. Gibbs, from the committee on consti-
tutional amendments, reported back reso-
luton authorizing the calling a constitu-
tional convention, with the recommendation
that it lie on the table. Favorably, res
olution amending the constitution, fixing
the maximum state tax at So cents. Favor.
ably, resolution amending the constitu-
tion, authorizing the levy of school tax.
Several resolutions amending the consti-
tuition, were reported unfavorably, as the
subject matter has been provided for in
other bills.
Mr.. Terrell, from judiciary committee
No. l, favorably authorizing the city OF
Austin to issue bonds for sewer purposes.
Mr.. Patton, from the comm ittee on state
affairs, favorably bill with amendments,
to amendthe Get incoTp Grating the CITY of
Dallas, and to grant new charter with
the following amendments, providing that
the charter amendment providing for the
extension of the city limits, be stricken out
and wherever the words exclusive, original
Jurisdiction occurs, it shall read concur
rent.
Mr.. Patton, from the special committee,
iavorably providing Tor the laying ont of
public roads from one county seat to an.
other, with an amendment that the act
shall not apply to heavily timbered, or
counties devoted chiefly to grazing an d
pastures.
The penitentiary resolution was laid
before the senate.
The question recurring on the adoption
OF Mr.. Collins amendment, pending Satur-
day, providing that the lease may be an.
nulled by the legislature at the expiration
of six years
Mr.. Traylor opposed ratifying it, and
urged the resumption by the state or re-
leasing after due notice.
Mr.. Pope insisted that resumption would
necessitate going into the cash balance up
TO the shoulders, and would plunge the
state into deot.
Mr., johnson, of Collin, representing the
working people, urged the approval of the
lease for the full term OF fifteen years, or
Tor one hundred years, if necessary.
Mr.. Gibbs opposed ratifying, and said he
was willing TO makea reasonable deficiency
oy resumption, if il would take convicts of
the railroads, but he insisted that this
would not be necessary, as the state could
make the same profits that would accrue 10
the lessees.
=, Mr. Jones urged ratifying the lease for
the reason that in his opinion its rejection
meant resumption, and resumption meant
an immediate appropriation of not less than
100000.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Inc pending question being the adoption
OF Mr.. Collins amendment, it was lost
yeas, s; nays, 10,
The question recurring on the adoption
oil Mr.. Johnson's amendment, Mr.. Fowler
moved to amend, providing that the lease
may be revoked ut the end of five years
Lost.
Mr.. Davis offered substitute for this
amendment by striking out ratified and
insert revoked. Withdrawn and Mr.
Johnson amendment was adopted-yeas,
II; noes, s,
Mr.: Traylor moved to amend.by striking
out the, words ratify IN the lease and insert
revoked.
Mr.. Davis offered substitute to amend
providing that the said lease may at any
time oe anhuiled, or at any time be with
drawn.
Mr.. Randolph bitterly opposed rat,fyinr
the lease and contended Tor revoking and
releasing by competition. He contended
that the board had not strictly compiled
with the law In privately letting the prs,
ons
Mr.. Buchanan moved to amend, proyid.
ing that the lessees shall pay for transport.
lug prisoners from the beginning of Ihe
lease. Adopted.
Mr.. Matlock moved to amend, providing
hat after the year 1885 no conviots shall be
worked on railroads.
Mr.. Davis moved to amend by striking
out 1885 Lost
The question recurring ON the adoption
o Mr.. Matlock's amendment, it was
adopted.
Mr. Terrell moved to amend by adding
that no convict shall be employ. d m this
state or work on public building. In this
state not connected with the peniienliary.
Mr. Gooch moved to amend that this
prohibition shall Lot eAteuu IL ,rvl indus.
tries.
Mr.. Terrell took the floor and saId Il
was not ohen he differed with Governor
Roberts, but in the matter of this lease he
Was compelled TO differ with him. He on.
posed a lease system as being wrong. lie
on the adoption Of his amendment.
as he did not wish " see convicts at work
IN he new state house or on other public
buildings or improvements. He favored
resumption.
Mr.. Govch withdrew this amendment
anu offered substitute, providing that this
prohihilion shall not extend to working Al
Industries tor maiuiaclu ring iron nor to
"u, ding peNitentiaries or reformatories.
Pending discusson the senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The speaker announced that the pending
vusine.s 9, e the hour Of adjournment, .wss
nv yd7pttcmot the report u ~ sonSlelS 4
- - Whole e The houoo IL p1ST1 - ~