The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-01


No. 300, relating to condemnation Of
private property for purposes OF
streets and alleys, another bill, &C.
complishing the same object, having
been reported favorably.
Cnfavorably, senate bill No. l59
proposing to make the Judgment OF
the supreme court conclusive on al
questions of law and fact presented
and to prohibit new trial after re
versal of any inquiry as to the facts
once decided on appeal.
UnfavOrably, senate bill prohibiting
elective officers and attorneys at law
from becoming sureties on bond re-
cogniZances.
Unfavorably, senate bill No. I43. de-
fining in what cases dispositions may
be taken.
Favorably, senate bill No 43, pro-
vidiDg for transmitting dispositions
through the mail.
Mr.. Peacock, for same committee,
reported substitute for senate bill
PIG, amending the law relating to
payment of damages before construc-
ton OF railway tracks upon property
condemned for right of way.
UnfavOrably senate bill No. 275,
authorizing county commissioners
courts to issue bonds for erection of
courthouses and levy tax to pay for
the same.
Unfavorably senate bill No. PSI, au-
thoriZing joint owners of fences and
persons whose fences join. to remove
and separate fences upon proper no
tice.
Favorable senate petition No. 30.
for relief of j. w. kennard and 9TH
erS.
Internal lmprovements.-Mr. Shan
non. chairman, recommended the in
definite pOStponement of senate bill
No. 272, to prohibit railroad compa-
MES from making excessive charges
for transporting freights. and fixing
penalty for violation of the act.
Unfavorably, senate joint resolution
instructing the attorney general to
institute suit to cancel charters of
not having resident Off
GERS in this state,
Substitute for senate bill No. 295,
the powers and duties of
telegraph companies.
Unfavorably, senate bill No. 273,
providing penalty against railroad
for excessive charges made
by them for carrying passengers or
freights.
State Affairs-Mr. Stratton for
reported adversely senate
bill No. 249, prohibiting employment
by any state officer at the expense of
the state of any person related tosuch
officer.
Mr.. Patton, chairman of the same
recommended that senate
resolution relating to purchasing the
ground at the grave of Ben. Milan,
lie upon the table; another resolution
On the subject having been presented
Oy a special committee appointed to
examine into the matter.
Adversely senate petition from the
commissioners court of PalO Pinto,
aSking the legislature to donate state
lax for 1883 and 1884, to said county
10 liQuidate the courthouse and Jail
lax.
Nr. Buchanan, for the Joint commit
zee appointed to visit state schools,
made a report of the result of the COM
nittet'S examination, the substance
If which will appear in the report of
he proceedings of the house.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. Patton: 4 bill authorizing in
cities and towns, without
'egard to number of inhabitants
hereof, to accept property bequt athed
)r donated to them, or to any class of
,heiF inhabitants, for charitable or
)ther uses, and to manage the same
'or the benefit of the class for whose
use it may be intended. Referred.
Mr.. GetZendaner: A bill to author
re road superintendent to use land
public roads in order to give
drainage to roads. Referred.
Mr.. Fowler: A bill making 1t an
)ffense for county clerks to fail to
keep accounts with other officers, as
'eQuired by the civil statutes. Refer
Mr.. Davis: A bill changing the
line of holding courts in the tenth jul
licial district.
Mr.. Fowler arose to a question of
privilege.
Mr.. President, rise to a question
If privilege. On the 23rd instant a
printed copy of a memorial of Mr.. b.
F. Davis, of Navarro county, addressed
20 the senate and house of representa-
ives of this state, was laid upon the
lesk of each member of the legisla-
.ure. This memorial was intended to
point out some defects in the Jury
avs of this state, and to suggest
'ome changes that, in the opinion of
he memOrialist, shonld be made by
his legislature.
In this memorial there are some
Misrepresentation made in regard to
he people and officers of BastrOp coun-
y l now desire to refer to. While l
entertain the greatest respect and the
Iindest feeling towards the memo
'ialist. who is client of mine, feel
hat 1 would be derelict of duty to-
wards the people of Bastrop county
f l were to allow these misrepresenta
ions to pass unnoticed and unrefuted.
The memorialist is a conscientious
gentleman and personal friend of
nine, and l am confident that he
made these statements in good faith
md believes that they are true.
The statements in the memorial"
desire to correct are:
/. The statement that since the
present jury law was enacted there
lave been no indictments preferred
~ the grand juries in more than one
bird of the homicides committed in
he country.
2. The statement to the effect one
ourth of the people of the country
ire not honest" and do not "exe-
rate" the crime of murder.
3. The necessarily implied state
nent that some Of the officers of the
4 untry have manipulated" the
,rand and petit juries in the interest
# mlrderers.
AS to the first statement l desire to
ay that l have resided in and near
3astrop county the greater part of
ny life, and am familiar with the adj
of the criminal laws in
hat county, and undertake to say that
,rand juries of that county are as
prompt and certain to indict and the
,etit juries to convict murderers and
III violators of the law as the juries
# any county in the state. There
we're six convictions of murder In the
irst degree and several convictions
# murder in the second de-
,ree during the time the memorialist
avs the people would not enforce the
avs, and this Is as good showing
or the proportion of crime committed
n the county as any other county in
he state can make.
The statement that one-fourth of
he people are not honest and do not
the crime of murder is all
and without evidence to
upport it. The people of Bastrop
county compare favorably in this re-