The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-01

| tue1t Vi cdttic, QOESeS, etc. referred
Mr.. Barrett: To regulate the grant
ing OF bail in capital felonies. Re
: ferred.
!. Mr.. Matthew'S: To establish weigh
e by bushel of wheat, corn, etc. Re
[ ferred
( Mr.. Mcbride: To amend article 522
chapter ii, title IL, revised statutes
with reference to giving railroad.
power to levy tax for corporation pur
poses. Referred.
: Mr.. Fisher: To require hotel, tav.
ern and inn keepers to provide ropes
etc, for escape in case of fire. Re,
. ferred.
Mr.. Townsend: To amend article
100, chapter 3, title 10, code of crimi-
nal procedure, relative to fees and
compensation of county judges in
criminal cases. Referred.
Mr.. Jack, by leave, introduced Pc
tltlon OF citizens of Jack county con-
demnlng the practice of leasing out
conyicts. Referred.
A resolution was adopted that the
speaker assign one of the committee
clerks to assist in the duties of ser
geant-at-arms during that officers
sickness.
By Mr.. Upton: Resolution provid-
ing for clerk for the secretary of the
board of education at salary of $l25
per month. Referred TO finance COM
mittee.
Mr.. Peers: To amend art. 1874, chaps.
% penal code, relative to the Sunday
law. Referred to judiciary committee
NO.2.
Mr.. ChenOweth, by request of COM
mittee on internal improvement Is,
presented a resolution that, as art. 10.
sec. z, OF the constitution required the
legislature 10 establish the maximum
rates to be charged for freights and
passage on railroads; and as the COM
mlttee has framed a bill Us so required
| by the constitution, and neither the
committee nor the legislature have
the information desired, that the COM
l mittee be authorized to examine. as
| experts, persons of experience in rail-
road management and transportation.
and send for books and papers and
take testimony; and that the chair
man of the committee be authorized
| to administer oathS, and that all ex-
penses incident to the attendance of
witnesses be paid out Of the cuntin-
| gent fund; all certificates to be issued
by the chairman of the committee
and approved by the speaker of the
house.
In answer to inquiry as to the ex-
| pense of procuring witnesses, etc.
Mr.. Chenowith said--We simply ask
| TO bring a few men of intelligence be-
| fore the committee, and will try to do
this as economically as possible.
Chair-The question is upon the
| adoption of the resolution.
Mr.. Brown said he was not disposed
to trammel the action of the commit
tee on account of little expense. /
am no enemy to the railroads. The
committee should have the best in
formation.
Mr.. Upton said he would like TO
know from the chairman something
of the proposed powers of the COM
| mittee.
Mr.. Chenoweth-It is not a resoiu-
| ton of the member from Fannin, but
| of the committee.
Mr.. Upton-I understand that, but
the point l make is, what power does
| the resolution give that is not pro-
Ylded for by the rules of the house,
and unless extra powers are required,
what is the necessity for the resolu-
tionf He was not opposed to the bill,
| but wanted information.
Mr.. Chenoweth-The committee
are charged with the performance of
certain duties; so is this house. The
| constitution requires the legislature
| shall from time to time fix rates, but
we have not sufficient information to
| execute the demands of the constitu-
ton.
Mr.. Caven said as it was doubtful
| about the power to be exercised in the
matter, he would move to refer the
resolution to judiciary committee
No. l.
Mr.. Upton-I make the point of Or
| der that it is not in the power of this
house, as the representatives of the
people, to compel the attendance of
witnesses by simple resolution. The
general law on this subject was suffi-
cient. -1Ou can't drag a man from
his home in any other way. If the
object is to amend the rules, it is not
required, as the law points out the
course to take. The resolution will
not effect the object. | want the rul-
ing of the house.
Mr.. Lakewood didn't think the
people would be afraid TO trust the
committee of this house, and were
doubtless willing to allow some eX-
penditure for such information us was
necessary.
Mr.. Hill argued that the house had
us much power in congress, certainly
all the power needed for the purpose
OF the committee.
Mr.. Scott can't vote for the mo-
ton. If it prevails, money is not the
question, but viii it accomplish any
goodI There was too much legisla-
4tion in dealing with corporations and
directing how they shall live and con-
duct their business. The people were
tired of this legislation.
Mr.. Caven withdrew his motion to
refer.
Mr. Thompson, of Bexar-I think the
reque of the committee reasonable.
Unquestionably the house can send
for persons and papers to elicit facts.
If not, we had as well adjourn. Say
we have no power to get at the infor-
nation in the way PROF. osed in order
to legislate as the constitution de-
mands-still it demands that we shall
see that the railroads shall do their
duty, and we must have the informa-
ton so as to do them no wrong or in
justice. AT the same time am aware
the people expect protection, and |
shall support the resolution.
Mr.. Chambers, of Tarrant, offered
an amendment, that the witnesses
fees should not exceed three cents
each mile travelled and So day while
in attendance and travelling.
Mr.. Nash made the point of order
that the amendment was covered by
rule 5, which states what pay wit
nesses shall receive from the house.
The chair sustained the point.
Mr.. Durant said: / hope the reso-
luton will not prevail, because if we
send over the state for witnesses we
will know very little. If the COM
mittee send for persons who have ex-
perience in such matters they must
necessarily be persons partial and
lenient to the roads. He hoped the
resolution would be voted down.
Chair-The question is on the adop-
ton of the resolution.
Call of the roll being demanded, the
vote resulted: Ayes 80, nays 4, absent
II, as announced by the clerk.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mr.. WurZbach, for judiciary commit
tee No. l, reported as follows:
Unfavorably house bill 1879, to at
tach the unorganiZed county of Ed
wards to Uvalde.
House bill III, to regulate the man
L -.