The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-02-25
The Pcnitentlary Lease will Probably
be Acted Upon,
Hat Many Other Important Measures
Must Await the
Resurrection OF Another Legislature.

Senator Gibbs arrived yesterday morning
and the reporter Immediately tackled him
for M interview on legislative doings, and
finally succeeded In oornering him. The
Undergraduates and answers are as follows
Reporter-"Senator what do you think
about the prospect for passing the amend
ment TO the city chatter extending our city
llmlts9n
Answer-"li IL is reached. believe thai
the amendment will be granted, with tn,
proviso that the new addition shall only pay
pro rata Of the current municipal OK
penses, and none OF the past indebtedness
such y the precedent in this and oth
states"
Rep. -"iIow is the Legislature working
ahu why do they disagree so greatly on all
lead n questi ms, when they are nearly MI
OF the Same political faith p"
Aus This disagreement results gen.
orally from the fact that the in.
teresis of different sections OF the
state ere conflicting. aud on
nearly all questions of importance, onst
Texas and southern Texas, or rather, what
Is known aSthc "blfck belt are To a great
extent combined against north and south.
west Texas. Those sections arenot dippol 4.
20 ConGede anything TO the increase of
wealth and population in north and west
ltSas, ana, IN tue last appor,ionment and
other matters of legislation have been
gwen advantages TO which they were moi
eQlti0bly entitled, On the school question
ant IA the matter OF locating the coui Is
ami other similar questions, they
aie not willing TO make any reasonable
CONCESSIONS
Rep" How do you account for the con.
ilicting views on the school question, and
what will be the probable outcome OF the
ilghtY'
Ans. 1T is difficult to give an entirely
correct explanation, but there are three
elements in tho Legislature.
First, small element opposed TO any
system OF public education.
Secondly, nm element which wants the
entire system conducted on tho basis of
general taxation.
Thirdly, an element principally from
north Texas, which is willing to have six
months schooling at general expense, aud
who want the privilege given districts
TO have longer term at their own expense,
by majority vote Of the free holders of any
school district, From the vote in the house
" would seem that the first two nre voting
against the third. Tho larger and more
populons counties are now paying into the
school fund about two dollars for every one
received for the support of their own
schools, aud these insist that any additional
school facilities should be on the basis of
local taxation. AS far as the final result is
concerned, no predictions OF mine would
amount to anything, but unless the horse
shows The same spirit OF compromise mani
Tested in the senate, this school cues.
ton and similar questions will necessarily
engendor much sectional feeling, as the
representatives nom north and west Texas
contend for the principle that the ,beneh,e
OF government should be distributed &c
oordng to wealth and population. AS IL
requires twothlrds vote TO submit con.
stitutional amendment, none will be sub
m,ted without concessions"
Rep How Is the legislature workinr?n
Ans both branches are, and have all
along been hard at work, and IL the results
are not more manifest II is because of want
OF harmony from an honest adherence ia
what each considers the interest of his SEQ.
ton"
Rep,-"Some Of the papers claim that
Senator Davis resolution to annull tho
capitol contract was introduced with a
view to facilitate division OF the state. is
such the fact and is there any disposition OF
this kind among legislators
hhos bNiiNlNi Jaws ltNNT introduced Ill
with any such intentions, but claims that
Ne state has made an eytravagant contract
and agreed TO pay In land about $1,000. OOO
for millicn-and-one.half capitol
building. He claims furthermore that in
as much as that 5000, 900 of acres of land
was set aside by the constitution for Tho
purpose OF capitol and other publi,
buildings, that Its use exclusively for III,
one purpose is unconstitutional This |,
his position, as have understood il. from
his resolution and conversation, and be
lieyc hlsreasons are fully expressed In tn,
resolution.
$50 far as any division of the state Is con
cerned, have heard nothing more thar
sorniscs. that conflicting interests NIGH
eyentually produce such result
kep is the prospect for lerisla
ton ON the railroad, the public land, III,
prohibition and the pcnitentiary and othe
important questions
Ans-'i believe the lands will DO pu
upon the market for sale and lease, an,
that the penitentiary lease will BIO passe,
upon, but doubt ifone.half the other import
ant measures are reached on the calendar
The first thirty days of the session wer,
virtually consumed in examining and di
gestlng the reports et departments, IN
sages OF the outgoing and incoming a,l
minisuations, and preparation of bills sol,
and TINS has left but short time for leglsla
tiYe work,