The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-25
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
No session Yesterday

O@AS@@-AA u - ~tOAA@
No session yesterday.
"This1 do" exclaimed a representa-
tive, as he swigged down a glass of
fine "Thistle-dew."
Col. Chenoweth, of Fannin, is re-
| garded as one of the most accom-
plished members of the house. as he
is certainly one of the finest looking.
BY a sort of coincidence. both of
the Fosters and the two Thompsons
are first class teams in the work of
legislation. 1t is to be hoped they
will all pull together.
Mr.. II. H. link, stenographer for the
Chicago Times. and A. G. Monson. rep
reSenting the San Antonio Express.
strolled off to San Antonio for a short
excursion while the legislature is adj
iourned.
Nothing has occurred in the bust
ness OF the house so far to specially
excite the heroic in discussion.
Downright work, without too much
talking. seems to be the order of the
Gay IN the eighteenth legislature.
So far Speaker Gibson has had no
tournlng with the members. particular
ly testing his powers as a presiding
officer. When he does, he will doubt.
less be just equal to the joust, regard
less OF the clash and clangor of foren-
sic arms.
MeSsrs. Acker and Hill, chairmen of
the two Judiciary committees of the
house, are certainly admirable selec-
lions for such arduouS and RESPONSE
Die duties. Their reports are always
clear and to the point, so as to be
easily comprehended by the house.
Among those proposing to take adj
vantage of the legislative lull yester-
day were Speaker Gibson, of the
house, who contemplated a trip to
San Antonio, and some of the mem
bers OF both houses, who awaited them
selves OF the short respite to visit
their loved ones at home.
Representative Caven was fully in
earnest IN advocating the printing of
hVe hundred copies of Gov. lrelgnds
inaugural address in Bohemian. His
amendment, however, was intended
mainly for the benefit of his fellow
citizens of that class in Col. Upton's
section, there being comparatively
hut few Bohemian citizens in his own
district.
Mr.. Labatt, the member from Gal
weston, by reason of his fine informa-
ton and practice as acommercial law
yer, Is especially active and service
able as chairman of the committee
on commerce and manufactures. He
seems to watch closely the pros and
cons of all legislation calculated to
affect such interests. He has the adj
vantage too of a fine committee.
The committee on privileges and
elections of the house were engaged
yesterday in the contested election
case of G. w. Cation against C. 70.
Gass, the sitting member from Coryell
county, and will report to the house
Monday in favor of the contestant.
Mr.. Cation, on the ground that the re-
turns were altered, and that correct
ones show his election by 200 maiori-
ty. The decision of the committee. as
far as they were present, was unani-
nous.
Theroll of thehouse is called so that
he who runs may hear it, whether
Capt. Booth calls it himself, or merely
puts his Finger on it. Mr.. Finger. by
the way, is deXterous in all his work
as assistant clerk and gives general
satisfaction. So does Mr.. Duggan,
the very courteous and efficient Jour
nal clerk of the house, to whom the
reporters are indebted for polite ia
vOrs. The clicks and employees are
all pretty clever in the discharge of
their several duties.
The bill introduced yesterday by
Senator Gooch, to lease the school
lands, is one that should command at
tention. He has at three sessions be-
fore this introduced bills on this sub
Ject, each OF which has passed the SEN
ate but was defeated in the house. The
one introduced now is short but COM
prehensive. 1t authorizes the board
OF education to lease the pasture
lands at not less than three cents an
acre, and for terms not exceeding ten
years, under such regulations as the
board may prescribe, and authorizes
such employees as it may need. The |
details are left to the board, to be |
amended, altered and changed as cir
cumStanceS and experience may show |
to be the wisest and best policy. 1t |
would perhaps be wise to refuse to |
lease Watered sections without at
the same time losing certain proper
ton of adjoining unwatered sections. |
1t may be best to have travelling
agent to inspect the lands. 1t may be |
necessary to employ one clerk, or |
more; it may be wise to lease from |
year to year; or to allow certain rights |
to purchasers, and to require leased |
lands to be fenced in certain localities, |
and to pay the rents at the capital. 1t |
may be best to lease in large or small |
quantities. But all these questions
are RENTED to the board of education,
which has in charge the interest of |
education. We are not sure but that |
they will be better able to solve the
problem by experiment and time than
the legislature can amid the hurried |
transactions of short session. The |
idea of authorizing the leasing and
fixing minimum price and maximum
term, and entrusting the board with
the details, is good. 1t exhibits con-
fidence in the board on one hand, and
on the other recognizes the danger of
defeat of measure by reason of con-
flicting views on minor mat
tiers, when a majority might favor
the main features of the bill.