The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-01
lcontInurd rrom EIrst Page.l
SENATE

quorum present.
Prayer was offered by the chaplain.
Rev. DIR. Smoot.
On motion of Mr.. Robinson, the
journal was not read.
PETITIONS.
Mr.. Matlock: Of J. w. Chowning,
asking for the passage of a bill for
the relief of persons settling up state
school lands.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES.
Public Lands.-Mr. Matlock, chair
man, reported substitute for senate
bill No. ia, to set aside public lands
embraced in the territorial limits of
Greer county TO educational purposes,
and to the paymentlof the public debt.
approved February %, 1877.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. Matlock: A bill for the relief
of j. w. Chowning, of Wilbarger
county. Referred.
Mr.. Traylor: A bill providing for
the further supervision and manage
ment of the construction of the new
state capitol building, and making IN
appropriation therefor; approved May
8, 1889.
Mr.. Buchanan: A bill to establish
and maintain system of normal
schools, for the better qualification of
teachers. Referred.
Mr.. Stratton 10y request): A joint
resolution instructing the attorney
general to bring suit to cancel leases
and charters of all railroads in the
state where the same is in violation
of law, and where there is failure to
keep general Office in the state. Re-
ferred.
Mr.. Pfeuffer: \ Joint resolution
to amend article 7 of the cOnstitu-
ton, by adding another article there
to, as follows:
SECTION 16. That all premiums paid
and all expenses incurred ia the pur-
chase of securities for investment of
money belonging to any Of the per-
petual or permanent funds herein
created, shall be paid alone out of the
interest derived OF To he derived from
said funds, respectively. referred.
% Mr.. Johnson, of Collin: A bill Ia
amend article 697 revised statutes,
relating to elections for removal of
county seats. Referred.
Morning call concluded.
On motion of Mr.. johnson, Mr.
kleberg WAS excused for the day.
SPECIAL. ORDER.
Senate bill No. 26y, providing for
the classification, sale and lease of the
lands heretofore er hereafter surveyed
and set apart for the common school
fund.
Mr.. Gibbs moved that the special
order be postponed in order to contin-
ne consideration of substitute senate
joint resolution relating to free schools
Carried-ayes Ia; nays 10.
Substitute for section 8, article Z
pending.
Mr.. Fowler: Amendment, ''proyid.
ed that NhenthG aforesaid state school
tax with the aid of the school revenue
from all other sources shall, without
regard to local taxation, not be ade-
quate for the support of an efficient
system of public free schools for six
months in the year. the rate of taxa
ton shall be increased to an extent
sufficient to support said system six
months in the year"
Mr.. Davis: / move a call of the
senate.
The Chair-The senator from Bas-
trop has the floor.
Mr.. Fowler-I think there are
enough senator's here. The object of
this amendment is to satisfy the SEN
ators who are on the other side of
this question. / cannot see any OBJ
lection that those who favor a tax of
10 cents can have to the amendment.
The only change it proposes to make
is to insure a sufficient fund for the
support of public free schools in this
state for at least six months in the
year. This matter has already been
discussed so fully that l presume the
senators can see the effect of the
amendment without my saying any
thing In support of it.
Mr.. Chesley-I am glad the senator
from Bastrop has offered that amend
ment.' take it for granted that the
amendment will be adopted with very
little dissent.
Mr.. Gooch-I oppose the amend
ment. In the first place it fixes no
minimum at all. while there is no re-
striction upon the extravaganza of
the system, nor upon the ages by rea-
son OF the amount of money appro-
priated within which children may he
sent to school. In other words, am
not for sending children between six
and twenty-one years of age. think
with six months in the year u good
education can be acquired in less
than this time. l am willing to send
children to school six months in the
year during a period of eight years.
Mr.. Houston-The senator from
Anderson (Gooch) on yesterday offered
an amendment providing that If iif-
teen cents tax were sufficient to sup
port the free schools for more than
six months during the year. then the
tax might be reduced to an amount
necessary to give six months. To-
day, when we say we are in favor of
six months schools In the year. and
while the senator from Anderson has,
perhaps, made a miscalculation, and
fifteen cents will not support the
schools for six months, i ask him il.
under his rule, the scholastic age will
not be diminished, and il the rule
does not apply to the senator from
Bastrop likewisep
Mr. Davis spoke against the amend
ment.
Mr.. Fleming-I would like to ask
the senator from Cooke (Dav is) by
what authority he speaks for he ma
1ority here. when the journals show
that on two-thirds Of the propositions
submitted the senators with whom /
have been acting are in the majority.
Mr.. Davis-I do not know what the
records show. l WAS not discussing
the records. But they ought to show
that the senator FROM Eastland has al
ways been on the contrary and losing
side ever since he has been here. The
sooner we get this question out of
politics and leave il to the manage
ment of the people the better. Let
those who are to be benefited by it
have some authority, control and dis
erection In the matter, and we will
soon have an efficient school sys-
tenn What / wish above all things
Is simply to take this school question
away from the legislaturea and lodge it
where it properly, justly and reason
ably belongs. Other states have done
that-every one that has thorough
system Of public free schools. This
legislature is the poorest judge Of the
wants of the various sections in the
world. In our sixty days session we
have enough other things to struggle
over; enough things to create discus
sion and diScord over, much less this
question which belongs to the people
Of the whole state. Besides, IL is the
best friends of public schools who
want this thing taken out of politics.
Mr.. Buchanan. amendment to Mr..
Fowler's amendment: Not to ex-
coed twenty cents.
Mr.. Buchanan. in support of his
amendment. said: ! wish to state to