The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-15
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

House met at $3.50 a. M; Speaker
Gibson and quorum present.
Prayer by the chaplain.
Reading of the journal dispensed
with.
Mr.. Davis, of Camp, moved to sus-
pend the rules in order to take up
house bill No. 155, to diminish the
civil and criminal jurisdiction of Mat
agOrda county.
The rules were suspended and the
bill amended by adding the counties
of Camp, Donley, Young, Kerr, Hous-
ton, Presidio and Live Oak, and as
amended was finally passed.
Mr.. Moore, of Eastland, moved to
postpone the pending business to take
up senate bill POI, for the relief of j.
w. Chowning and others named, in
terested in surveys of school lands
made by the Houston and Texas Cen
tai railroad where Vernon is situated.
The land is in block twelve of the
survey represented by Il. w. Robert
son, as trustee of the parties
are citizens of Vernon, in Wilbarger
county.
Mr.. Moore said the parties had set
tied the land when they had to take
their lives in their own hands to do
so, and were entitled to the relief pro-
posed, which is to confirm their titles
by their paying two dollars cash per
acre.
Mr.. White moved that the bill be
printed.
The bill was further discussed by
Messrs. Hill and Scott.
Mr.. Whites motion was lost, and
the bill finally passed.
The speaker stated that committee
reports could be sent up during the
morning session.
Mr.. Hill and others sent up reports.
THE RAILROAD BILL.
The house resumed consideration of
the railroad bill, the pending question
being Mr.. Stagner's motion to strike
out the proviso in section IL, "that at
railroad stations in this state, where
two or more railroads, under different
and distinct organizations, intersect,
either road may fix its charges to and
from said station without reference
to their schedule of charges on the
balance of their road"
Mr.. Ayres offered as substitute for
that of Mr.. Stagner, an amendment to
strike out section IL, and spoke in
support of the amendment.
Speaker-The first question is on
the motion of the gentleman from
Caldwell (Mr. Stagner) to amend by
striking out the proviso in the sec
tion
Mr.. Foster, of Grayson, spoke in
favor of the bill as reported by the
committee, referring to the evidence
of Mr.. ]. j. Farley, page % of the
printed testimony taken before the
committee.
Mr.. Jones spoke, reviewing the ar
guments made on both sides and con-
tending that the proviso was unjust
and inhibited by the constitution.
Some such feature as that which the
section otherwise provided was, how
ever. demanded by the constitution,
which was the voice of the people.
Mr.. Nash in the chair.
Mr.. Foster, of Limestone, combatted
the conclusions OF MIR. Foster, OF
Grayson, as to Mr.. Farley's testimony.
He agreed to have the proposition to
strike out the prOvisO left in the bill,
so as to afford all a chance to present
their views to the house, but he could
not understand why any man would
object to the bill after it was stricken
out, as the law would then remain as
it is now, against which there is no
complaint.
Mr.. Cravens said he desired to no
tice the point of the gentleman from
Limestone about striking out the pro
viso. He was not opposed to fair and
legitimate legislation, but we should
be guided by the best motives tow ards
our constituents of the entire state
This proviso should remain that com
petitive points may be established by
law and people of all sections have
the benefit. Let us consider the ques.
ton as question of law, with, the
facts and figures to govern us. So fal
as the printed testimony went, ne ar
gued we were to be excused for want
of proper light on the subject. He
read from what he called "the yellow
back pamphlet" The gentleman
from Limestone, who seems tt
have constituted himself the peculia
, champion of this bill, has spoken abou
/ the thunders of the people. l don
J know where he has heard so mucl
laundering. (To Mr.. Foster-Th'
} gentleman has gotten on a differen
platform from mine.) He is now viii
ing for the eradication of that feature
: which, as member of the COMMITTEES
!. he recommended.
Mr.. Cravens here read at lengt
; from the Mexia Ledger, of March 2;
purporting to give Mr.. Fosters, 9
: Limestone, position on the bill. ii
' further read from editorial comment
r of the paper against Mr.. Chenoweth
: bill, which, it said, permits, or, rathe
provides, for railroad Discrimination
: If we legislate too strongly againi
railroads, the effect, Mr.. Crayens a
+ eued. would be to drive them to see
(&ho~ <.ff7oo or r,ofufQ which invite