The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-22

ate bill, spoke i'll favor of the Brown
ing substitute, which, however, need
ed amendment, and he thought could
be cured to meet the objections of the
gentleman from Hill and others.
Mr.. Cochran said as so much time
had been consumed already in the
consideration and the pending ques-
ton to reconsider this section, he
moved the previous question.
The motion to reconsider prevailed
and the question required on the re-
adoption of the Browning substitute.
Mr.. Foster of Limestone, moved a
call of the house. The absentees were
excused, and the question to adopt
the substitute required, and was
briefly discussed by Messrs. Browning
and Lakewood pro and con.
Mr.. Chenoweth argued that the
Browning substitute was opposed to
the spirit of the senate bill, and said
he had an amendment to be offered
in case the substitute was adopted.
Mr.. Dennis argued that if we adopt
the Browning substitute we might as
well postpone this bill. BY it every
acre of grazing land would virtually
be taken off the market, and we might
as well leave the next legislature to
determine what disposition shall be
made of them.
Mr.. Stout, for one, said he was in
favor of selling. He had very little
faith in the lease system as a source
of revenue.
The substitute was lost by vote of
40 to "A.
On motion the house adjourned till
3 p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Speaker Gibson and quorum.
Mr.. Armistead introduced a joint
resolution to amend the constitution
so as to increase the number of SEN
ators from thirty-onc to thirty-three.
Referred.
By Mr.. Browning: Petition of
citizens of Wilbarger, approving his
land bill-house bill 178-as being in
accordance with their views as to the
proper disposition of free school
lands and in the interest of actual
settlers. Referred.
House bill 5l2, Mr.. McGarrity's, to
define the boundaries of the city of
Gonzales, was, under suspension of
the rules, finally passed.
By Mr.. Moore, of Mcclellan, bill
providing that the legislature shall
have power to create counties for the
convenience of the people, subject to
certain provisions; among others, that
no new county shall be created in eX-
terror territory to present counties
with a less area than 800 square miles
in square form, unless prevented by
pre-exiting boundary lines. Within
the territory of any new county or
counties now existing, no new county
shall be created with less area than
| 700 square miles, nor shall any such
county now existing be reduced to
less area than 700square miles. Coun-
ties from 700 to 800 square miles.
within counties now existing, may be
| created by two-thirds vote of both
houses, taken by ayes and noes and
entered on the journals, etc. The bill
chan CHANGES the area as prescribed in the
old law. Referred.
THE GENERAL LAND BILL.
The house resumed consideration OF
senate bill 269, the general land bill,
the question being the adoption of
section 6, which had been reconsidered
during the morning session.
The Following substitute offered by
Mr.. Moursund was adopted as fol-
lows:
Sec. 6. The land, when placed upon
the market, shall be sold in the county
or land district in which it is situated,
by such authority and under such a
system of competition as may be pre-
scribed by said land board; provided,
that no person, either in person or as
an agent (nor any firm or corporation,
shall purchase or in any manner ac-
| quire title to more than one section Of
land classed as agricultural land or as
watered land, and five sections of I'M
watered pasture lands; provided, the
board may, in their discretion, require
the purchaser of any particular sec
| ton of watered land to take with the
same such a number of dry sections
as they may designate, not to exceed
| five sections, and every attempt
| to evade the limitation of this as to
| the amount of land one may pur-
chase, by any device whatev er, shall
| be deemed fraudulent, and the fraud
| may be shown and the purchase cam
celled by the state at any time before
| the issuance of patents.
An amendment offered by Mr..
Caven that the agricultural lands
shall be sold to actual settlers only"
after discussion by Messrs. Caven,
Stout, Swan and Lakewood, was
adopted as a proviso at the end of the
| section.
BY Mr.. Browning: Amendment to
strike out the words "either in person
or as agent" and the words nor any
firm or corporation" and the words
'or in any manner acquire title to-
after the word purchase" Lost.
Mr.. Chenoweth offered a substitute
for the amendment and section.
Lost.
Amendment by Mr.. Cotton to
strike out "5" and insert "a" sections
was adopted.
By Mr.. White: To insert the word
"class" after amount" Adopted.
The section as above amended was
adopted.
Mr.. Browning moved to reconsider
and lay the motion on the table
Carried.
Mr.. Frank moved to strike out sec
ton 8. Lost.
Mr.. Robinson, of Jack, moved to re
consider and lay the motion on the
table.
Section Z was adopted as in The
printed bill, with amendment by Mr.
Frymier at the end of the section thai
mo sale shall be considered valid til
approval by the board"
Further consideration was stopped
by motions to adjourn, till finally on
prevailed, and the house adjourned.
CONTINUED on Fourth Page.l