The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-01-25

seribed on her banner, she is moving for
ward to that grand destiny that awaits
her. will be pardOned for expressing the
pride feel when l remember have been
associated with men who have done much
to bring about this grind result.
And now, senators. permit me TO an
nounce that Lieutenant Governor Martin
has taken the oath in his room where he
is confined to his bed of sickness, and TO
HIM surrender the trust here conndeo 10
me. I again tender my sincere thanks
for the support the senate has always
given me, and for the resolution OF conf
dence and esteem you have adopted to-
day.
Mr., Buchanan moved that the re-
marks of the retiring president be
spread upon the journal of the senate.
Adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Mack the SEN
ate adjourned to Wednesday.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
House met pursuant to adjourn
ment. Speaker Gibson in the chair
and aquOrum present.
Prayer by Chaplain, Rev. DIR. Poin-
dexter.
The reading of the journal was dis
pensed with, and minor corrections
were made In the minutes.
HON.. Q. Chenoweth, of Fannin who
has beer. detained from his seat dur
ing the week by sickness. was present.
Messrs. Rushing of Kaufman and
Rogers of Neuces, were excused on &C
count of sickness. Mr.. Craven for the
like reason was excused for the re-
mainder of the week.
Mr.. Phelps, of Victoria, was assigned
to duty on committee on towns
and city corporations.
At instance of Mr.. Cochran, Mr..
Workman of Hopkins, was added to
committee on revenue and taxa
ton.
Mr.. Stagner was added to commit
| tee on roads and bridges.
Mr.. Upton called attention to the
fact that an interchange of the offic-
ial published records of the house
and senate had not been attended to
and was informed that the inter
changes would hereafter be made.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
Were read by caption, and referred, or
otherwise acted on, as follows:
BY Mr.. Kendall, of Denton: To
amend art. 1893 of the criminal code
so as to require testimony before one
grand jury to be preserved for further
use. Referred to judiciary committee
No. 2.
Labatt, of Galveston: To repeal
arts. 3I76-9, CHI. 2 revised statutes,
known as the sub-mechanics lien law
| 1t relates to warehouse receipts. To
judiciary committee No. l.
Benavides, of Webb: To prescribe
the punishment for violation of con-
tracts made by domestics. To judi
ciary committee No. l.
Stringer, of Franklin: To amend
sec. 4 of act for transcribing county
records, approved April Is, 1879. Com
mittee ON county finances.
Moursund, of Blanco: To create a
board of railroad commissioners, de-
| timing their duties and providing pay
ment for their services. Referred to
committee on internal Improvements
SECTION 1. Provides for board ofthree
competent persons, to be appointed by
the goyeTnor-one for two, one for four
| ard third Tor six years. One OF the three
| to be suggested by the chambers of com
meree or other mercantile associations Of
Texas and be an attorney at law, and
one to be civil engineer,
Sec. ,. Provides for suspension of any
4
| to senate by the governor, etc.
Sec. 3. Board to have a clerk or secre
| tary, and marshal to serve notices.
| Sec. 4. A clerk and marshal to take con
stitutional oath that they are not in the
employ of any railroad company nor any
way Interested in railroad bonds anC
stocks, and shall not engage or be en-
| gagged In any other business.
Sec. b. Establishes the Office OF tbs
board at Austin. Proceedings of board
10 be published in biennial reports to the
legislature.
Sec. C. Any two of the board to be
quorum, etc.
Sec Z. Board to administer oaths Il
| supervise railroads and railways (as fal
as necessary eonfOrmably to law; to keel
advised OF the operations of the roads al
to the security and accommodation of thl
public, and their compliance with theil
charters and the laws Of the state /; TO in
vestigate and report, after due notice
given, upon accidents; to have access II
| books, etc., of the railroad companies
and compel attendance OF witnesses, etc.
| witnesses to be allowed fees and mileage
The provisions of this act to apply to al
roads operating or represented in thl
| state.
Sec. 8. Provides In substance that wheI
| repairs to the road, additional rolling
stock or terminal facilities, changes II
stations, freight and passenger rate
are reasonable or expedleut in the inter
ests of the public, the board shall give
| due notice to the companies of tn,
| changes and improvem nts deemed pio
per, allow the companies hearing, ant
IL same are not made in reasonable time
or the board satisfied that no action i
required the board shall furnish the fact
| to the attorney general for action, aud re
port to the legislature.
Sec. 8. This number Is omitted In tn,
bill.
Sec. 10. The companies to furnish the
| board necessary information, etc., as u
their condition, operations, etc., but thu
board are rot required to make the intoT
nation public unless the public interest
| demand IL.
Sec. IL. Provides against impairing con
tracts by any acts of the commissioners.
Sec. II. Calls for annual reports by tn
board to the legislature.
| Sec. IL. The board to prescribe charaC
Ter of reports, etc., TO be made by til
railroad companies under existing laws
Sec. IA. The board.t make tabulars AM
abstract statements of all reports deemet
necessary, etc.
Sec. 10. Salary OF each commissioner t
l be $4,000. clerk $1,000, and marshal $500
See. 16. Secretary of state to furnis
board with books, maps, etc., for infol
nation.
Sec. IL. The board, singly OF together
| to have access to aud remain In cars, off
ces, ETC., in the state while In the pei
Torrance of their duties, but shall NO
recommend persons for employment b
the commissioners or allow passes to b
accepted by the clerk. marshall, experts
ETC., of the board, under penalty of froI
$500 to $1,000, and dismissal from Office
Sec.' Is. Any revelation of secrets of tn
board by any of the commissioners 0
officers to be deemed a misdemeanor, sui
ject to fine from $1,000 to $1,000, and caus
dismissal from office.
Sec. 10. Repeats all laws in conflict wit
these provisions
Chambers, of Tarrant: Resolution
that the secretary of state furnish tn
chairman of committees acts of 1877!
and of the called session of the sam
year and acts of both the general an
. called sessions of the seventeent
legislature. Resolution adopted.
Stagner, of Caldwell: To amen
Art. 1899 and 1705 revised statutes, al
! thorizing county commissioners court
to count the vote. Referred to jud
: ciary committee No. l.
Chambers, of Tarrant: To amen
, | Art. 1854 revised statutes, better d,
, filming bank assessments. Referred t
committee on taxation and revenu
Lindsey, OF Comanche: To amen
, Art. 1880 civil statutes, relative
boundaries between ten or more FIRE,
! holders so as to allow road change
Referred to committee on roads an
d bridges.
Z Pendleton. of Bell. To amend art