The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-08
XvIIIth Legislature.
Forty-First Days Proceedings.
SENATE

hour. Senator Houston presiding.
Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Philips, of An
derson county.
Mr.. Fowler, for committee on mill
tary affairs, reported on petition of
Jno. II. Richardson that the senate
Texas veteran pension bill now in the
house affords all the relief that the
constitution allows.
NEW BUSINESS.
By Mr.. Fleming: Bill to permit
railroad agents selling tickets and
making oyercharges to return the
amount overcharged in ten days. Re-
ferred.
Mr.. Pfeuffer: To authorize the pur-
chase of bridges by and for the use OF
counties. Referred.
Mr.. Matlock: 70 fix the venue OF
suits TO be brought against officers and
agents of the state in the district
court of Travis county.
1t provides that such suits shall
have priority and trial be expedited.
Judgments shall recite issues ad-
Judged, but plaintiff shall have no
writs of mandamus or injunction To
enforce or enjoin official action ana
both parties have right of appeal. Re
fusal of officers TO obey Judgment
subjects them to impeachment.
The bill was referred.
BV Mr.. johnson, of Collin: Bill re-
curing where there is cash balance
in the state treasury in excess OF
amount of the treaSurer'S bond the
treasurer and comptroller shall ar
range with some responsible person
or corporation in the state to keep
the same, subject to call.
Mr.. Gooch: To amend the law gov
erning appeals from justices courts.
Mr.. Fleming called up senate bill
providing for preparation of accounts
| of Texas against the United States
government for frontier protection.
| The amount claimed is over two mil
lions of dollars. The bill finally
passed.
Mr.. Pfeuffer called uphis motion to
reconsider the vote by which the bill
providing a mode by which the cities
and towns may reduce corporate
| limits was lost on engroSsment.
| The motion was carried and Mr.
| Gooch withdrew his amendment and
the bill passed.
Mr.. Taylor called up senate bill
amending election laws and provid'
ing that the count of the vote of the
state shall be made on the first Mon
day in December, instead of forty
days after the election.
MIR. Shannon offered an amendment
to require presiding officers of elec
lions to make returns of votes cast al
theii election precincts. Adopted, ant
the bill passed to engrOSsment.
L a.. 70
changing the time of holding court
in the several counties of the tentf
district. The bill finally passed
Mr.. Johnston, of Shelby, called VI
house bill which provides that no per
son shall be compelled to work OF
public roads more than five days il
each year. The bill passed to thirC
reading.
Senate bill on third reading to with
draw Waller county from list of thos
exempted from the operations of tn,
game laws, passed with some amend
ments.
| Mr.. Cooper called up substitute TO
senate bill 230, to protect railroad la
borers and men furnishing timber
ETC., to railroads.
The emergency clause was added by
Mr.. Cooper, and the bill passed.
| Mr.. Shannon called up the subSti
tute for senate bill 295, on seconC
reading, amending the law assessing
railroad property, passed to eDgross
meat.
| Mr.. Patton, for committee, reported
engroSsed the bill relative to laying
out roads.
Mr.. Peacock had entend motion t,
reconsider the bill fixing time TO
work on public roads.
The senate in executive session con
firmed the appointment of pilot com
misSiOners.
Senate bill No. 1, on third reading
to further regulate creation and pro
ceedings of privrte corporations, wa
finally passed.
| Mr.. Patton called up senate bill 81
to create and establish laying on
public roads as firSt-claSs roads.
Mr.. Collins offeredaA amendmen
excluding the counties composing thu
twentv-seventh and twenty-eightl
senatorial districts. 1t would tax,
twenty millions of dollars to cover tn
expenses of the state under that bill
Other amendments were offered Il
strike out the tenth, twenty-secOnd
fourteenth and nineteenth districts.
/ Mr.. Patton spoke against the amend
ments, and argued that the question
was whether the agricultural inter
ests, and the public generally, shoult
be deprived of proper thOrOughfare
for the benefit of stock men.
Mr.. Davis argued that if such a Law
as this had been passed twenty year
l no NJ frn
Mr.. Kleburg spoke, explaining VIII,
before. The bill without it would
make too many ordinary roads frs
and second class roads.
Mr.. Gooch in the chair.
Mr.. Houston-I don't represent any
particular class in this matter. NAM
sections would be bankrupted by thu
bill. Bexar county would have
to build seven first class roads
the shortest of which would be TWEEN
ty miles. / want an amendment tina
will not require a county to build, ;
first-class road alongside of a railroad
Mr.. Johnston, of Shelby, hoped thu
bill would be reconsidered.
Mr.. Pfeuffer argued against TIT
practicability of the bill. 1t only in
sisted on the counties doing wha
they could not do, and would be use
less.
Mr.. Patton said while he repre-
sented large stock interests, he recog
nized the fact that the legislation O.
the state had been very liberal to
wards stock interests. But it wa
important that the greater agricult
ural interests should have con yenien
thoroughfareS. Farmers, church PEG
pie, officers of the state and the com
munity generally needed such conven
fences.
Pending Mr.. Patton's remarks, b,
yielded for a motion to adjourn, ant
on motion of Mr.. Fleming the ~hous'
adjourned till 10 a. m. Thursday
morning.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
House met at $50 a. M. Speaker
Gibson and a quorum present.
Prayer by the chaplain.
Reading of journal dispensed with
The following members were ex
cused from attendance:
| Mr.. Acker, for the day, on account
of important business.
Mr.. Smith, or Travis, indefinitely
on account of sickness in his family
Mr.. Davis, of Lamar, indefinitely, on
account of sickness.
Mr.. Caven, for the day, on account
of sickness.
| Mr.. Moore. of Eastland, from tn,
morning session, on account of i'm
pOrtant business