The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-03-15
LAW MAKING LEGION.

introduced by Mr.. Strstton, authorizing III
creation and construction Of ship channeli
canals, wharyes and bulkheads.
The resolution ratiiying the penitentiar
lease was laid before the senate.
Mr.. Martin held that, in his opinion,
could not be ratified or revoked by con
current resolution, and argued that even
it could be, the law did not authorize chang
ing its terms or conditions; that the lease
under the law authorizing such, must b.
ratified as a. whole or revoked as whole
and that 1t could not be modified. The lav
required that the governor make the con
tract, but we to-day ars making lease To-
the lessees. to accept or reject. we arr
seeking to do the very thing that we blame
the board for doing. We blame them fol
making lease without giving due notice
and vet we are doing that very thing.
Mr.. Johnson, of Shelby, contended thai
as the governor had already acted on the
that a concurrent, resolution, was
the proper manner by which to approve OF
reject. AS TO changinglts terms, he con
tended that II both parties were willing, II
was perfectly competent for the senate tc
make and change as it thought best.
Mr.. Matlock contended that as modified
the lease was the best possible for the state
He opposed resumption TOR the reason that
the friends Oh the measure and opponents
of the lease proposed to greatly increase the
of outside conviCts, and send them
out over the state contrary tc
promises made the people il
the democratic platform. He held that its
terms could be changed, as the right to sp
prove or reject, as whole, carried with II
the right 10 modify. He insisted that this
legislature should settle the matter, claim.
ing that resumption would not do 1t, as the
prisons would still be on the hands of ihe
state, and 10 run them would necessitate
the levy of an additional tax of $5OO,000.
Mr. Evans made an argument in favor o.
the lease contending that to resume would
lead to additional taxation, and tinally las
ten debt upon the state.
Mr.. Gibbs made an able argument, con
tending that the state could place the con
victs within the walls as easily as the les
sees, and run them as profitaDly. he
insisted that no additional tax would bt
necessary, and that no deficiencies would
have to be provided for.
Mr.. Harris moved the previous question
on Mr.. Davis amendment. Seconded, and
the main question ordered.
The question recurring on the amend
Ileub DTONIullS b1dJ atb dlJ bitliC btO obuIe
may resume and annul the contract, 1t wa;
lost-yeas. II; nays, 10.
Mr.. Gooch offered to amend by providing
that the lessees be required to accept o.
each modification and the whole contract
as modified.
Mr.. Davis offered to amend the amend
ment by striking out thirty days and in
serting ten days in which the lessees may &C
cept or reject the contract.
Mr.. johnson, of Shelby, moved the pre-
yious question on the amendment and reso
luton. Seconded, and the main question
ordered.
Mr.. Davis amendment was lost and Mr.
Gooch's adopted.
The resolution then passed by the follow
ing vote.
Yeas-Buchanan Cooper, Evans, Elem
ing, Getzendaner, Houston, Johnson, o.
Collin, Johnson, OF Shelby, Jones, kle
berg, MatlocK, Patton, Peacock, Perry
Pfeuifer, Pope-16
Nays-Chesley. Collins, Davis, Farrar
Fowler, Gibbs, Gooch Harris, King, Mar
tin, Randolph. Shannon, Stratton, Terrell
Mr.. Harris called up house bill TO reor
ganize the 9Th, 18th and 35th judicial dis
tricts, and changing of the time of holding
the courts in the 7th, 18th, 2lTh, 29Lh ana
34th districts, and the counties of kaufman
San Augustine, Sabine and Nacogdoches
q GA motion of Mp Htlrris pane ~ eaitI.
ty was transferred from the 12tli 10 the i'm
district.
The bill then passed.
Mr.. Gibbs called up lie bill ceding to the
United States jurisdiction over certain
in Dallas. Passed.
Mr.. Patton introduced resolution dt
recting the Encouragement TO institute
suit against the Houston 81 Texas Central
for money que the common school!
from the Washington county railroad.
Mr.. Pfeuffer called up the bill permitting
the withdrawal of territory from cities and
towns on a majority vote Of citizens OF such
territory. Passed.
Mr.. Terrell called up the bill authorizing
the city of Austin toiS ie bonds for sewer
purposes. Passed.
Adjourned till 3 o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr.. johnson, OF Collin, called up his bill
Tor depositing the cash in the
state treasury in excess of the treasurers
bond, with adverse report of the committee
He stated that II the bill did not suit .he
senate he hoped they would amend it. He
insisted that at least the bond of the treas
urer be materially increased.
The report was adopted, and the bill lost
Mr.. Fowler called up the bill fixing the
OF death, at the discretion of the
Jury, for robbery.
After considerable discussion, the bill
passed.
Mr.. Collins called up the joint resolution
requesting members OF congress to urge an
of quarantine laws in connec'
ton with the Meucan government. En-
crossed.
Mr.. Fleming introduced a bill TO validate
the sale of certain lots In Coleman City.