The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-15
XvIIIth Legislature.
Twenty-Ninth Days Proceedings.

q
Twenty-Ninth Days Proceedings.
SENATE.
AUSTIN. Feb. IL, 1883.
The senate met at the usual hour,
Lieut.-Gov. Martin presiding. and
quorum present.
The chaplain, Rev. DIR. Smoot, Of
fered prayer.
On motion of Mr. Traylor, reading
of the journal was dispensed with.
PETITIONS.
Mr.. Fleming: From the citizens of
Howard county, asking that the pub
lie school lands be placed upon the
, market
Also, from the citizens of Eastland
county, asking that convicts be con-
fined within the walls of the penlten-
/ tiary.
Also, from the citizens of Stephens
county, protesting against change in
/ their judicial district. All referred.
Mr.. Terrell: From \. n. Basum,
! for relief.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES.
Judiciary No. l.-Mr. Terrell, chair
man, reported adversely substitute
house Joint resolution No. ., granting
leave of absence to certain district and
county Judges, it not appearing that
the notice required by the conStltu-
ton before the passage of such act has
been given.
Also, senate bill, the effect of which
is to provide that no deed shall be re-
corded conveying real estate, unless
all taxes on said real estate shall have
been paid, and the deed when presen-
ted for record, must be accompanied
by certificate to that effect.
Also. senate bill No. 235, the object
OF which is to change the established
rule that actions for personal injuries
die with plaintiff and provide that
they shall survive to executors or adj
ministrators, and that the recovery
shall be for the benefit of the wife or
parents, or creditors of the deceased.
Also, senate bill No. 233, intended
to provide that cattle and hide inspec
tors shall be appointed by the commits
SiOnerS court, in certain counties.
Also, senate bill No. pa, authOriz-
ing the issuance of distress warrants,
attachment, sequestration and eta
ton by justices of the peace in whose
precinct the property, or ANY part
thereof about to be seized, is situated.
Mr.. Terrell. for a minority of same
committee, presented a favorable re-
port ON senate joint resolution No. y,
proposing the payment of poll tax
for the benefit of the public free
schools, as a qualification to vote in
this state.
Mr.. Davis-I move that we waive
the reading of that report. 1t can be
printed in the journal.
Mr.. Houston-I call for the reading
of the report.
Report read as follows:
COMMITTEE ROOM.
AUSTIN, February 10, 1885.
Hon. Marion Martin, President of the Senate
The senate Joint resolution No. q,
proposes the payment of a poll tax
for the benefit of public free schools,
aS a qualification to vote in this state,
and the undersigned respectfully dis
sent from the adverse report made
thereon by the committee on consti-
tutional amendments. The joint res
olution proposes to limit the elective
franchise to those who pay poll tax,
at least thirty days before voting, to
be evidenced by the receipt of the tax
collector, which shall be stamped as
voted" when the vote is cast, and re-
turned to the owner. 1t eXemptS
from such payment of taxes the SOL
diers of the Mexican war, and of the
Texas revolution and "thoSe who,
from age, intirmity or physical disa-
bility shall be unable to earn sup
port"
Those who object to the proposed
amendment do so upon the ground
that it requires, in effect, a property
qualification tos vote. The reverse is
true; for it proposes in express terms to
repeal the property qualification al
ready in the constitution of this state,
and extend the right of free suffrage
to all who from age, infirmity or
physical disability are unable to earn
"a support"
Section l, article 4, of the constitu-
ton of Texas provides: 1.-The follow
ing class of persons shall not vote in
this state. viz: = <. Third: "All pau
pers supported 10y the county" No
matter how intelligent or patriotic
that pauper may be (nor does it matter
in what battle for his country he was
disabled), he cannot vote, because the
curse of poverty is on him. The joint
resolution proposes to correct this, and
to wipe from the constitution that
property qualification.
| But it goes further, and requires all
those who are able to earn an honest
living, to do something for the support
of the state government, while enjoy
ing its protection and benefits.
| 1t requires each citizen whose child
rem are being educated by the taxes
paid by other men to contribute a
poll tax, OF less than two dollars to
help in that laudable work. TO pay
so small sum Is within the power of
every able-bodied man, and though its
payment by him is but a small evil
dence that he takes an interest in
public affairs, it is some evidence. \
requirement to pay it harmonizes
our system of state government,
with the theory, old as the revolution
of 70, that taxation and representa-
ton should go hand in hand" This
was the battle-cry of the first revo-
luton.
The undersigned cannot subscribe
to the theory that all the burdens OF
government should be visited alone
on those whose industry has accumu-
lated visible property. The prohigate
and the vicious enjoy equally with
the industrious the protection of
the laws, the free education of
their children and the administrator of
justice, and they should not jeopardiZe
by their votes the excellence of those
laws, unless they contribute some
thing to support government, and
thus show an interest in its admins
tration.
The joint resolution does not pro-
pose to disqualify from voting those
who fail to pay property tax, for the
simple reason that property when
taxed can he seized by the tax cOllec-
tor and sold, and payment can be thus
compelled.
The comptroller's report shows that
the school delinquent and uncollected
poll tax for the year 1882 was over
,000,-enough money to give
four months instruction to 10000
children of those poll tax delinquents.
If the proposed change in the con-
stitution should have no other effect
than to induce those who should have
paid that tax to pay it in future, it
| will relieve to that extent the indus
trious element of society whose prop