The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-01

nd / regard the interests as
'eing too vital for compromise.
70 state imposes so high state tax |
n the whole union for public schools,
md vote against authority to levy IL
lere in Texas"
Senator johnson, of Collin, assigned
he following reasons for voting no:
l vote mo" The effect of the joint
resolution is to permit tax by the
,tate for common free schools of
twenty cents on the hundred dollars,
N the discretion of the legislature.
This, / think, is more than is required
20 support each year a FIVE months
school, and this, think, is as long a
period as the laboring class of this
state, outside of the towns, can spare
their children from necessary labor
in any one year. | will not vote TO
put u mortgage for so large an
on the homeSteads of all the
men and women in Texas, that is
done by this resolution, thing
which the husband and wife them
selves cannot do. Under this tax.
which | consider eXtraYagant and
to encourage extravaganza,
the homestead itself can be sold in
order TO educate other peoples lille
when the working class can
not enjoy it. 1t amounts to two
thirds of the state tax, and is wrong.
ENROLLED BILLS.
Mr.. Cooper reported the correct en-
rollment of senate concurrent resOlu-
ton No. los, requesting the senators
and representatives of Texas in the
United States congress, to aid in the
passage of an act to equip and sup
port an agricultural institution in
each state under control of the agri-
cultural college.
Also, senate bill No. ii, providing
for certain payments of debts of the
state out of that half of the proceeds
of public lands not belonging to the
common school fund.
SECOND SPECIAL ORDER.
SECTION 4. The lands herein set
apart to the public free school fund
shall be sold or leased under such reg
ulatiOns, and upon such terms, as may
be rovided by law, and the legislature
shall not have power to grant any re-
lief to any purchaser or lessee thereof.
The comptroller shall invest the
principal derived from the sales of
such lands, and the proceeds of the
sales OF lands heretofore made, as may
be directed by the state board of edu-
cation, in the interest-bearing bonds
of this state, of the United States, or
such other safe securities as the legis-
lature may direct.
NJ NihhC. A hxy aAdinor
"The state shall and hereby is made
guarantor of all loans of school
money made by state authority"
Mr.. Davis: Substitute for amend
ment: 1.-The payment of which shall
be guaranteed by the state"
Mr.. Gibbs: l accept the substitute;
and in behalf of it will say that
while / don't care to be heard at any
great length on this amendment to
make the state guarantOr of all loans
of school money, / have offered it be-
cause l believe that every safeguard
should be thrown around this most
sacred of all funds. We should place
it beyond all possibility of loss, and
we can do this in no other way than
by making the entire wealth of the
state responsible for its continued
preservation. This. is a trust fund
which cost us nothing, but was given
to us coupled with condition that
we should use the income and trans
nit to coming generations the Origi-
nal fund undiminished. l want to
see this implied condition fully COM
piled with, and this will be the effect
of this amendment if adopted. 1t
will not only make the fund absc-
lutely secure, but will tend to make the
people more watchful of its invest
ments; where they realize that any
loss of this fund falls upon them.
Certainly no generation should object
to giving security for the administra-
ton of so great fund when they are
allowed to use it to so much advan-
tage. individuals give security for
the administration of similar funds
and don't see why the state shouldn't
do likewise. Let every generation be
I ,Sponsible to the next for the safety
CT this fund and we will see the chill
Gren of Texas educated without taxa
ton. We are but carrying out the
conditions of this request which re-
quireS the principal to remain IN
touched.
This is but just and will serve to
make both the officers and
people careful of investments.
If this policy is pursued, we shall
avoid the loss of these funds or their
identity as special funds.
A good many other states have had
not as great but similar funds, and
have lost them and never accounted
for their loss. / don't want to see
Texas do injustice to future genera
tions, either Intentionally or uninten-
tionally; and this is the Just and
proper safeguard.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr.. Gooch: Amendment, strike out
permanent" Adopted, and section
4 engrossed.
THIRD SPECIAL ORDER.
Substitute for section 6, article of
the constitution: "All lands hereto
fore granted to the several counties
in the state for educational purposes
are of right the property of the
county to which they are granted re-
spectively, and the title thereto is
vested in SAID counties; and no adj
verse possession or law of limitation
should ever be available against the
title of the county.
Each county may sell, lease or dis
pose of its lands, in whole or in part,
in a manner to be provided by the
commissioners court of the county.
Said lands and the procet Dis thereof,
when sold, shall be held by said eOun-
ties as trust for the benefit of pub
Il. Ol1 he Al
arising from the interest of said lands
heretofore or hereafter to be made
shall be invested in the interest bear
ing bonds of this state, of the
United States, or other permanent and
safe securities, or loaned upon unin-
numbered real estate in the county, of
at least three times the value of the
loan, and only the interest thereon,
and the rents and revenues from said
loans and the interest collected from
purchasers thereof, shall be used and
expended annually for public school
purposes"
Mr.. Gibbs: Amendment adding to
end of bill, "And the county making
the loan shall guarantee its payment"
Adopted.
Mr.. Traylor: Amendment striking
out permanent and" Adopted.
Mr.. Matlock moved the previous
question on the engrossment of the
section. Ordered; and section six en-
crossed.
Mr.. Randolph am instructed to
say that the Father of His Country"
has recently died, and l move that the
senate adjourn till Friday, in respect
to his memory. Carried.