The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-29
XVINth Legislature.
Sixtieth Days Proceedings.
SENATE.

AUSTIN, March Il, 1883.
The senate met at the usual hour
Hon. A. w. Houston presiding, and
a quorum present.
Rev. Mr.. Meredith, of Galveston
offered prayer,
On motion of Mr.. Kleberg, the jour
nal was not read.
PETITIONS.
Mr.. Harris: OF ii. &. Denney, ask
ing compensation for conveying pris-
onerS.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
State Affairs.-Mr. Patton, chair
man, reported unfavOrable house bill
No. 025, to remove the civil diSabili-
ties of w. Z. Harper.
| Fayorably, request for appropriation
of $1,000 for the purpose of reimburs-
ing General Land Commissioner
w. c. Walsh for personal bond
given by him in order to secure an
appeal for the state to the supreme
| court of the United States in the
Mercer colony case, event of affirmance
| of judgment of the United States cir
cult court.
FaVOrably, with amendments, house
bill No. II, to provide for the surren-
der of charter of unincOrpOrated
cities and towns, and to authorize
counties wherein said cities are STU
ated to become their successors, and
comforting certain powers of govern
ment upon the same.
Favorably, house resolution No. 2S,
authorizing the secretary of state to
furnish a copy of the Texas supreme
court reports to each of the d 2ited
States district court clegl =. ! - e
| state.
Counties and County Boundaries
Mr.. Davis, for committee, reported
adversely house bill No. $40, to amend
article 8S7 revised civil statutes, chang,
ing the calls and fixing the lines of
ROckwall county.
Mr.. Cooper called up house bill No.
529, validating certain surveys OF
school lands in Polk and other coun-
ties, which were defectively made,
and by which said counties were de-
prived of considerable quantities OF
land. Passed by two-thirds vote.
PETITIONS.
Mr.. Patton: OF Henry R. Barnes,
for relief. Referred.
SPEClAL ORDEIS.
The special orders for the morning
were taken up, but were suspended
under call of the senate.
Mr.. Johnston, of Shelby, called up
on third reading house substitute for
senate bill No. "a. providing annual
pension of $3.50 to surviving soldiers
and volunteers of the Texas revolu-
tion and signerS of the Declaration of
independence, and the widows of such
soldiers, volunteers and signers, who
have remained unmarried. The bill
provides that pensions may begranted
only in cases of indigency.
The senate being announced full,
the pending bill went to the table
and consideration of the
FIRST SPECIAL ORDER
Was resumed, substitute house joint
resolutions Nos. u, 10, 21 and 81,
amending sections 4 and of article Z
of the constitution, relating to public
schools. Passed as follows:
SECTION 4. The lands herein set
apart to the public tree school fund
shall be sold under such regulations,
at such times and On such terms. as
may be prescribed by law; and the
legislature shall not have power to
grant any relief to purchasers
thereof. The ecomptroller shall invest
the proceeds of such sales, and of
those heretofore made, as may be di-
rected by the board of education
herein provided for, in the bonds of
the United States, the state of Texas,
or counties in said state, or in such
other securities and under such re-
strictions as may be prescribed by
law; and the state shall be responsible
for all investments.
Sec. 8. All lands heretofore or here
after granted to the several counties
of this state for educational purposes,
are of right the property of said coun-
ties, respectively, to which they were
granted, and title thereto is vested in
said counties, and no adverse posses
sion or limitation shall ever be avail
able against the title of any county.
Each county may sell or dispose of its
lands in whole or in part. in manner
to be provided by the commissioners
court of the county. Actual settlers,
residing on said lands, shall be pro-
tected in the prior right
of purchasing the same to the
extent of their settlement, not
to exceed one hundred and sixty acres,
ut the price fixed by said court, which
price shall not include the value of
existing improvements made thereon
by such settlers. Said lands and the
proceeds thereof, when sold, shall be
| held by said counties alone as trust
for the benefit of public schools there
| in; said proceeds to be invested in
bonds of the United States, the state
of Texas or counties in said state. OF
in such other securities, and under
such restrictions as may be prescribed
by law, and the counties shall be re-
sponsible for all Investments; the in
terest thereon, and other revenue, ex-
cept the principal, shall be available
! funds.
Second Special Order.-House joint
resolutions Nos. 3, 10, IL and 13
amending section 3, article of the
constitution. Passed, without amend
ment, as follows:
There shall be levied and collected
annually upon the property in this
state, not otherwise exempt, by the
constitution, an ad valOrem tax, ol
not more than fifteen cents on each
one hundred dollars valuation thereof
and "a poll tax of one dollar upon every
male lnhabitant of this state between
the ages of twenty-One and sixty years
and there shall be set apart each yeal
in addition thereto one-fourth of the
revenue of this state derived from
occupation tax for the benefit of the
public free schools.
Provided, that when the aforesaid
| state tax with the aid of SchOO
revenue from all other sources, anC
without regard to local taxation, shall
be sufficient to support general eff
cient system of free schools for 9
longer term than six months in the
year, the rate of said state tax may
be reduced. Should said state ta1
and revenue, however, be inadequate
tosupport such system, for six month:
without local taxation, said tax maN
be increased to an extent sufficient Il
support such system for six months
not to exceed twenty cents on tn,
one hundred dollars valuation in an,
one year.
THIRD SPECIAL ORDER.
Substitute house joint resolution
Nos. 8, 8 and 27, amendatory of sec
tiOn 9, article 8, constitution.
Passed, with amendments, as fol
lows:
The state tax on property, exclusiv
of the tax necessary to pay the publi
debt and of the taxes provided for tn
benefit of public free schools. shal
never exceed thirty-five cents on tn
, one hundred dollars valuation; and n
county. city or town shall levy NOR
an