The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-18
Eighteenth Legislature.
THIRD Days Proceedings.
SENATE
AUSTIN, Jan. 10, 1889

Inc StQdLt ulcI dI ~ OClOOht 6iOu1
Gov. Storey presiding, and quorum
present.
Chaplain's prayer-Almighty God
Thou who rulest in heaven and also
In earth, we come to Thee this morn
ing feeling our dependence upon Thee
for life and health, and strength, anC
every needed blessing; and we ask
Thy benediction this morning upon
this body-its members and all of it,
officers. We pray Thee, our Father
that they may be provident in speech
that they may be discreet in conduct
and that they may be wise in legisla
ton. Guide them by Thy spirit, that al
things may be done for the best; anC
Thine shall be the glory, now and for
ever. Amen
On motion of Mr.. Shannon. reading
Of the journal was dispensed with.
The Chair-Is the committee ap
pointed yesterday to act with join
committee from the house ready to re
port?
Mr.. Terrell-The Joint committe,
appointed ON the part of the house anC
senate have performed their duty by
communicating to his excellency, the
governor, the fact that the houses are
organized.
The Chair-I suggest to senators
that il would be well to have the
house report whether they are organ
lied.
By Mr.. Harris Resolved that the
ser0eant-at-arms be required to pro-
vide for the secretary of the senate a
raised platform in front of the presi-
dents stand, and to provide all neces-
sary chairs and tables for the commit.
tee rooms and tables for the clerks OF
the senate. Adopted.
BY Mr.. johnson, of Collin: Re-
solved, That the committee on judi
eial districts are required TO ascertain
and report as soon as practicable the
number of days of active session OF
the district court in each county and
judicial district of the state during
the year 1882, and like report for the
year 1881.
The Chair-Does the gentleman
wish the resolution voted on now, or
referred?
Mr.. Johnson-Have it referred.
The CLair-It is so ordered.
Mr.. Johnson-After reflection, we
will take the vote on that resolution
now.
Mr.. Harris-I do not precisely I'M
derstand the purport or nature OF the
resolution, and l ask for information,
whether il Is expected that the COM
mittee will ascertain the number of
DAYS that each district court in the
various counties in the state is actu-
ally in session, or the number of days
as provided by lawp 1t occurs to me
that it would require months of work
to ascertain the number OF days the
district courts have actually in the
state, and would require correspond
ence with the clerks of each district
court in the state.
Mr.. Johnson-Any information l
have to give on that subject Is this:
It seems that some of the districts
have no work to do, and we want to
know how many days they have been
employed. or course they have GER
tain days to work-certain weeks
but see some of them work as low
down as 10 weeks in the year. There
are other judicial districts here that
will be asked for. We have now 80
districts. My impression is that we
can knock off at least 10 of them. in
stead of adding more. We want to
inquire into this thing, and if we need
more, am on hand,-but am not in
favor of making new districts,
when there is not work for
them. If we give men $500 a
year we want them to work.
The meaning of the resolution is to
require how much work is done. /
am tired of men coming in the house
creating new judicial districts for
themselves to fill as soon as they go
home.
Mr.. Chesley-I move that the reso-
luton be referred to the committee on
judicial districts. So ordered.
At this juncture, the governors long
looked for message was received and
a committee from the house was an
nounced.
Mr.. Nash, for the committee, stated
that the house had completed Org;.ni-
cation and was prepared for the trans
action OF business.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Mr.. Evans, for the printing COM
smittee, reported in lieu of resolution
No. IL with amendments, a substit ute
as follows: Resolved, That each
member of the senate be allowed to
subscribe to not exceeding fifty copies
of such daily papers published In the
state, as he may desire; provided, such
papers can be obtained at n cost not
exceeding 5 cents copy, and contain
ing u complete copy Of the legislative
proceedings or a full and Ineligible
synopsis OF the same.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.
BY Mr.. Pfeutfer: Bill to suspend
the sale of the public school, univer-
tyall asylum lands and the vacant
and unappropriated lands OF the state.
Referred to committee on public lands.
BY Mr.. Buchanan: Joint resolu-
ton amendatory of section 3, article Z,
constitution. Referred to committee
on constitutional amendments.
BY Mr.. Houston: Joint resolution
proposing amendment to section 3, ar
ucle :, constitution. Referred to COM
mittee on constitutional amendments.
Also bill amendatory Of article 320l
chapter 1, title 70. revised statutes.
BY Mr.. Evans: Bill fixing fees of pros
ecuting attorneys; also, bill regulating
proceedings in magistrates courts in
criminal causes; also, joint resolution
amending constitution, by which the
school tax is fixed at l2k cents and 81
poll tax; also. bill to give the legisla-
ture power to lease school lands, au-
thorizing the investment of state and
county school funds in other securi-
ties than state and United States
bonds. il deemed advisable; also, Joint
resolution authorizing county courts
to divide cohnties into school districts,
each school district to have power to
levy school tax by election.
By Mr.. Matlock: Joint resolution
proposing amendment to section 4,
art. y, OF the constitution, providing
for the sale of public free school lands
and the investment of the proceeds of
the same.
Also, a bill to amend arts. ITO and
Ill of the revised statutes, and TO
add thereto arts. lola, 1107b, llO7c and
Hold, and to provide for the payment
of fees to attached witnesses in felony
cases.
Also, joint resolution, amendatory
Of section 8, art. z, of, the constitution.
providing for the levy and collection
Of a free school tax. and poll tax for
free school purposes.
Also, joint resolution, amendatory
OF section Q, art. s, of the constitution,
and to provide for the levy of state
and county taxes.
Also, a bill to repeal sec
ton 4, chap. IL, of an amend
ment defining who are officers
of the state. and to prescribe the
rights, powers, duties and privileges,
passed by the seventeenth legislature.
and approved February 10, 1881 All