The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-29

where they start up as to
frauds or corruptions and bribery.
Therefore they have done good.
They are a power in the country, and
when they spouse principles that are
wrong they should he checked; but
when they are advocating what is
right they should be sustained.
Therefore, Mr.. President, merely be
cause the papers have not approved
the action of the majority, which was
very small one, of the senate in re-
gard to the penitentiary lease, the
press should not be condemned. nor
should the minority, like pack of
yelping spaniels, apologize for their
position on the question, nor be con-
demned for not retracting their ac-
ton by acquiescence in the wishes
of those who favor the postpone
ment of the pending resolution.
They say that the administration
condemns their protest against con-
firmation of the lease. To say the
least, such statements come with poor
grace from the lips of those who sup
ported the lease. Away with threats
that would lash the minority into sup
port of measures of the majority, by
holding over them the condemnation
OF the superior powers that are now
in their respective offices of the state
government. The minority should
not, and will not, remain quiet upon
this floor simply because the present
administration disapproves their ac-
ton, and it does seem to me that the
men who have figured in this thing
so prominently, ought TO have de-
manded an investigation long ago of
this matter.
Then why, when we want
to pass a resolution here, the
accusation of a lobby scheme
to influence the housep Go to the
house. and you will hear that unless
something of the kind is passed here;
that unless you approve the ten years
lease; unless you accept the amend
ments that were passed in this senate,
we will force the fifteen years lease
upon you. That all may be right.
do not blame the parties who have
leased these penitentiaries for work.
ing so hard here. If | had as good a
contract as they have, | would set to
this legislature, too, and | admire
their courage and energy in working
up this matter. But j do not admire
certain officials that try to run their
very armpits into things and
wheel them according to their own
notions and ideas of the administra-
ton of this affair.
Now. if the gentlemen from Cooke
thinks | have spoken long enough, |
will conclude.
Mr.. Gooch spoke in favor of post
poning.
The resolution was postponed until
next Wednesday, by the following
vote:
Y eas-Buchanan, Collins, Evans,
Farrar, Fleming, Getzendaner, Gooch,
Houston. johnson of Collin, Johns
ton of Shelby, Jones, Kleberg, Martin,
Matlock, Patton, Pfeuffer, Stratton.-
II.
Nays = Chesley, Davis, Fowler,
Gibbs, Harris, Randolph, Shannon,
Terrell, Traylor-9.
Mr.. Davis aGiieui up senate 6iJl-1MNo.~
220 for the relief of certain dealers
IN liquors who were prevented from
pursuing their occupation under the
local option laws.
Passed to third reading.
Mr.. Gooch called up senate bill-No.
30, directing the officers here to COM
pute the annual available fund arts
ing from bonds purchased for the
school and other trust funds at pre-
MUM, and providing against the
diminution of principal of the per-
manent funds heretofore or hereafter
invested. Engrossed.
Mr.. Shannon called up senate bill
No. $50. prescribing the terms of coun-
ty courts for the transaction of civil
and probate business, and providing
that such towns shall not extend be-
You'd the time for the term of criminal
business. Passed.
Mr.. Matlock called up house bill No.
Sl9, providing for patenting to. Medina
county in trust the lands granted to
Henry Castro in trust, for school and
church purposes. Passed.
Mr.. Pfeuffer called up senate bill
No. 300, requiring the proceeds arising
from leasing or renting county school
lands, or from sales of timber thereon,
to be applied exclusively for county
school purposes. Passed.
Mr.. Fowler called up the memorial
of the heirs of Eli Kirk for relief, for
the purpose of recommitment. Re-
committed.
Mr.. Traylor called up senate bill
No. 209, regulating the fees of county
tax collectors. Engrossed with
amendment.
Mr.. Gibbs called up senate bill No.
"A, providing for the lease of lands in
unorganiZed counties. Engrossed.
Adjourned till 3 o'clock p m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr.. shannon gave notice of a mo-
ton to reconsider the vote passing
senate bill No. 151 to engrossment.
Mr.. Davis called up senate bill No.
l75, amending article 90 of the revised
statutes, requiring clerks of the dis
trict and county courts and justices
of the peace to make reports under
oath at each regular term of the COM
missioners court of the county, all
fines, penalties and fees collected by
the courts for the use of the county.
Engrossed.
Mr.. Kleberg called up Mr.. STRAIT
tons concurrent resolution, requesting
Texas members in congress to secure
the division of work on the Texas
coast into two or more districts, and
for additional engineer officers.
Passed.
Mr.. Harris called up senate bill No.
81. to diminish the civil and criminal
jurisdiction of the county courts of
the counties of Matagorda, Live Oak,
Atascosa, Donley, Archer and Me-
nard, and to conform the jurisdiction
of the district court thereto. Passed.
Mr.. johnson of Collin, called
up on second reading, senate bill
No. 29S, requiring the record of
official bonds in which the state or
any county is interested. Passed.
The chair laid before the senate
senate bill No. 125, providing for the
travelling expenses of the quarter
master and eommissary of the from
tier battalion, $500.
Also, the bill to encourage stock
raising and to protect stock raisers,
and providing further for the APP
pointment of hide inspectors for I'M
organized counties. Passed.
Mr.. Traylor called up senate bill
No. 2S9. to provide for the manage
ment of the new state capitol build
ing, and to make an appropriation
therefor.
After animated discussion, post
poned till Friday.
Mr.. Terrell called up senate bill No.
34i, to amend the charter of the city
of Austin. Passed.
Mr.. Traylor called up senate bill
No. 800, authorizing the comptroller
to collect taxes due the state for the
years 1871 to 1876. Engrossed.
n