The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-25

and sagacious in their deliberations.
Let Thy blessing rest upon the COM
monwealth in all its departments, so
that God may be honored by the peo-
pie and by the state, for Christ's sake.
Amen.
The secretary was excused from at
tendance owing to illness in his fam
lily.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
Constitutional Amendments.-Mr.
Gibbs chairman, reported favorably
with light amendment, the senate bill
introduced by Mr.. Martin. in relation
to taxation, and which empowers
counties to levy road tax. The COM
mittee amendment defines more par
ticularly the extent of the authority
of counties to levy special taxes for
public buildings erected and debts
contracted previous to the adoption
of the anCHHIoHi.
Judiciary 40. Mr.. Patton acting
ports upon the following
bills A bill authorizing YER
dict by the remainder of the jury
when one juror is prevented from act
ing by sickness.
Also, bill setting the time for the
trial or disposition of cases in district
courts.
Also, a bill relative to fixing a pen
atty for officers to receive higher fees
than those allowed by law, another
bill on the same subject having been
previously recommended by the COM
mittee.
Also, a bill regulating the fees of
county and district attorneys in crimi-
nal cases, and favorable reports upon
the following:
A bill prohibiting county officers
from purchasing property sold at tax
sales.
Also, a bill relating to the duties of
peace officers in serving warrants,
etc.
Also, a bill amending the present
law respecting horse racing on public
roads or streets.
Also, a bill amending article 1888 of
criminal code of procedure, regarding
the pay of grand jurors.
Mr.. Chesley, afor the committee on
installation and inaugural reported
that Lieut.. Gov. Martin had taken the
oath of Office at his room, owing to in
disposition.
On motion of Mr.. Cooper, the senate
went into
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On the appointmer ) of university re-
gents recommended in Gov. Roberts
message Tuesday, and all the appoint
ments were confirmed and the doors
opened.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.
BY Mr.. Cooper: A bill amendatory
of article 2266reviSed statutes, relating
to the time within which to make afii-
davit of offsets in suits on sworn ac-
count. Referred.
By Mr.. Traylor: A bill amending
article 1900, g and Y revised statutes,
relating to a demand for jurors and
their fees in civil cases. Referred.
Also, joint resolution amendatory
of article Z of the constitution, relat-
ing to the distribution of public free
school fund. Referred.
BY Mr.. Gibbs: A bill to amend ar
ticles 1905, 1905, 1907, 1908 and 1909,
revised statutes, so as to change the
location of the supreme court from
Tyler to Dallas. Referred.
Also, resolution that the chair
man of the committee on conStitu-
tional amendments be allowed to have
one hundred copies of the joint reso-
luton proposing an amendment to ar
ticle of the constitution for the use
of the senate. Adopted.
By Mr.. Cooper: A bill amending
article 1865, revised statutes, relating
to what answers shall be verified by
affidavit.
SPECIAL ORDER.
The bill authorizing the appoint
ment of additional clerks in the land
Office, was called and passed to en-
grossment.
The chair laid before the senate the
bill, together with the committee sub
stitute, authorizing the suspension of
university, free school, or asylum
lands from sale.
Mr.. Kleberg offered an amendment,
embracing all lands set apart for the
payment of the public debt of the
state, which was adopted.
An amendment offered by Mr. STRAIT
ton was tabled, on motion of Mr..
Pfeuffer.
Mr.. Gibbs moved to amend by pro-
vision that the bill should not apply
to actual settlers applying for 100
acres of land.
Mr.. Martin proposed an amend
ment to the amendment, but
after discussion it was lost, and Mr..
Gibbs amendment adopted.
Mr.. Shannon presented an amend
ment limiting the suspension to nine
ty days after the adjournment of the
present session of the legislature.
In support of the amendment he
said: 81 take it, whether it is was
the real object of that bill or not, it is
the avowed object to suspend sale of
these lands until the legislature can
make some better provision of them
than exists now. 1 believe it is the
sense of the legislature that the sus-
pension should take place, but the pas
sage of the bill without the
defeat the very object for which
it is avowedly intended. Now know
there is purpose, and not among dis
interested parties, and not among
those who are looking after the inter-
estS OF the school fund, to take these
lands out of the market. There are
other interests being considered in
this matter that are antagoniStic to
the true interests of the state. There
is powerful land combination here
at work to-day; and if they can Sc
cure or effect the taking of these lands
off the market, it will be millions of
dollars in their pockets. There is no
reason why my amendment will not
accomplish the avowed object of the
bill, and to defeat the amendment
would not only be to create power
full monopoly, but to give cattle men
free grass land diminish the revenues
of the state.
Mr.. Pfeuffer said the amendment of
Mr.. Shannon would not effect what
he believed it would, but thought it
would defeat the intent of the law the
friends of the bill wanted on the sub
ject; and thought it better that cattle
men should Craze their stock upon the
lands than that the desired legislation
should be defeated
Mr.. Davis SAID: / cannot see any
difference between indefinite suspen-
sion and repeal. The bill simply
amounted to a repeal of the present
law, and the question is, what would
be the effect of indefinite sus-
pension or repeal upon the pay
ment of the public debt? see no
provision for this condition of things.
/ know that no act can be revived by
reference to its title. We would have
to make a new act in toto to replace
the lands upon the market. So far as
/ am concerned want to devote my
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