The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-04-05
XVIIIth Legislature.
Seventy.First Days Proceedings.
SENATE.
AUSTIN, April 3, 1883.

u
The chaplain, Rev. DIR. Smoot,
offered prayer.
On motion of Mr.. Matlock, the
journal was not read.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES.
Mr.. Gooeh, fol- judiciary committee
No. 2, unfavOrably bill to require
physicians to procure license to prac-
tice from local medical boards, al
though having diplomas from nedi-
cal college.
Also, favorably senate bill to change
penalty for gambling 50 us to require
convicted gamblers to be imprisoned
in county jai]s absolutely and not al
ternately with fines, as now.
Favorably, senate bill fixing penalty
for firing woodlands and prairies; also,
favorably bill to require inspection of
horses, as well as cattle, about to be
shipped by railroad or steamer.
Terrell, for judiciary No. 1: Favor
ably bill to diminish civil and Grimm
al Jurisdiction of Madison county;
also, favorably house bill fixing fees
of secretary of state.
johnson, of Collin: FavOrably for
committee on agriculture, bill to eS-
tablish uniform weights of grain, coal,
etc.
Jones introduced bill to correct
phraseology of recently adopted quar-
antine act, so us to require governor
to appoint all quarantine officers.
Buchanan: Bill to exempt students
mt institutions of learning from work
ing roads.
Davis called up senate concurrent
resolution to ratify penitentiary leases
with house amendment changing it
to revocation of leases.
Davis moved to concur in house
amendment.
Johnston, of Shelby, moved senate
refuse to concur. In Il lengthy speech
argued in favor of senate insisting
upon the leases and quoted figures
and estimates of Superintendent
Goree, going to show resumption
would require heavy expense by the
state. He held that in five years, I'M
der the lease, 1000 conVictS could be
kept within the walls.
Davis asked if the lesseeS. had not
thrown up their contract.
Johnston held that the lessees could
not throw up their contract without
legislative consent.
Fleming said he had voted for the
modified leases, but in this us in all
other matters the house does not
agree with the senate and the large
vote against ratification in the house
may be accepted us conclusive
the legislature will not agree
upon the modified leases, and
if this revocation is not adopted
no final action will be had
and the leases remain in force fifteen
years; to then votesagainst the house
amendment will obstruct legislation
and force a fifteen years lease, which
the senate did not ratify.
Getzendaner gave his reasons for
favOring the modified leases, such aS
have already been noted, that the con-
tracts were legitimately made, that
they required large number of con-
VictS in the walls and that resumption
would likely result in financial en-
barrassment, but as the house re-
versed the action of the senate by Il
vote'of 81 to 80 and only one majority
in the senate, he wouldInOt obstruct
legislation, but would yield, and for
his part was ready to adopt a policy
that would keep all the cOnvictS
within the walls.
Peacock moved the previous
question and the senate by the vote
of 16 to Z concurred in house
amendment, so leases are revoked, I'M
less reconsidered or the resolution is
revoked.
Gooch moved to take up house reso-
luton to adjourn sine die April 8, in
order, as he stated, to vote it down.
Gibbs amendment insert 10th inst.
After discussion, amendment rejected
and resolution defeated.
Peacock, resolution revoking leaves
of absence of senators, who are to be
notified by kilograms.
Traylor, substitute reciting emer-
gency requiring presence of all sena-
tors and revoking leaves of absence
on the 9Th instant, accepted and
adopted.
General appropriation bill was taken
up, with understanding that is was
to be referred to the committee of the
whole, and without discussion, report
ed back with a single amendment.
SO as to place it on second
reading again in order that yeas and
nays may be called on proposed re-
auctions. After this action had placed
the bill before the senate on second
reading the appropriation of $4,000
annually for Bryan college was, on
motion of Mr.. Jones, increased to
$4,000; much controversy over the
appropriation for penitentiaries; one
difference was not as to the amount
to be appropriated, but it was the in
consequential difference between
whether the amount should be appro-
priated out of the revenue, or out OF
the proceeds of the labor of cOnVictS,
the latter being, to all practical pur-
poses, revenue. But there was this
difference: Mr.. PeacOck's amendment
made the appropriation only in case
the state resumes control, and Mr..
Gooch' Samendment would be available
whether leases or contracts be made
when the state resumes. Generally
the majority voting for the modified
leases supported Peacock's amend
ment. Houston demanded opponents
of the lease to come forward and in
dictate and define their policy.
Davis resisted this on the ground
that it was not permitted to change
the penitentiary laws by any provis-
ion in the general appropriation bill.
Pending call of the house upon the
amendments it adjourned till 3 p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr.. Chesley called up his telegraph
bill. it being the special order.
Mr.. Fleming offered the following
conference committee compromise
report:
COMMITTEE Rooms,
AUSTIN, April 3, 1888.
Hon. A. w. Houston, President of the Sen
ate, and Hon. Chas. II. Gibson, Speaker of
the House of Representatives.:
SIRs-Your free conference COM
mittee, composed of members of the
senate and house of representatives,
appointed and selected to report the
differences between the two houses of
the eighteenth legislature arising I'M
der the consideration of substitute
for house joint resolution 4, 10, IL and
Ii, beg leave to report that they have,
in accordance with the spirit of the
resolution under which they were
selected, met together and agreed
upon the accompanying substitute as
a compromis', and respectfully re-
commend the adoption of the same
by the legislature.
Respectfully submitted,
J. r. FLEMING,
j. A. MARTIN,
A. CHESLEY,
Senate Committee.
GEO. g. PENDLETON,
r. G. FOSTER,
L. L.. FOSTER,
House Committee