San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1885-03-05
OUR AUSTIN LETTER.
Austin Tex. March 3rd. 1885.

Ed. FREE PREss:-The past week
has been a remarkable one in the
hosiery of Texas The bill known as
the land bill has consumed most OF
the week, and only one section to
date has been adopted. In some re.
spects this is a good bill. But in the
opinion OF your scribe it prepares the
way for great deal OF future legisla-
tive and is free grass in disguise.
The Legislative muddle over the
corner stone celebration was quietly
settled without fuss or feathers. l."
The committee on state affairs Of
the House completely sat down on the
Senate bill proposing to place in the
Alamo the exhibits of the New Or.
leans Worlds Fair. A bill has been
introduced in both houses to turn over
to the Texas Scientifical and Geologi-
cal Association at Houston, these exhi-
bits. 1t will most likely become law.
The senate proposed to put in charge
of the exhibit at the Alamo, no other
than Thos. p. Crockett the son of the
lamented David Crockett. But the
committee in the house did not be-
lieve in such personal legislation.
Col. r. E. Steele, chairman of the
committee, is in intelligent farmer, a
resident of Freestone county, and is
universally respected by every mem.
Der of the 10Th Legislature and a
special friend of Speaker Fosters.
UP to this writing Col. e. p. Muse
of Collin and Maj A. e. Jones of
McLennan have made the most OK
haustive argument. They are both
first rate lawyers and possess very
fine argumentatiye ability
Mr.. Lockett's resolution to dismiss
one half of the commit tee clerks has
created quite breeze among these
gentlemen. Each one expects to be
retained, but four will have to step
down and out, Those who have done
the least work are the loudest in their
criticism of Mr.. Lockett's course. 1t
will not take prophet to say who
these four will be. Several new
counties have been made and more to
follow.
The appropriation bill was badly
printed and contained several errors
and the chair instructed the Sergent-
alarms to take up the bill in the
members desks, and order complete
copy printed, AS it is now it cuts
salaries of employees from 10 per cent
to rs per cent,
The committee on constitutional
amendments has reported favorably
Mr.. Henderson's constitutional
amendment prohibiting the sale man
ufacture etc of liquor in this
state 1t is thought that the amend
ment will be submitted to vote OF
the people at the next general election.
"Reminiscences against the dismissal
of the state troops continue to pourin
by every mail, and every thing points
to their retention.
! Mr.. Foster of Grayson has introduc-
ed bill to provide for a Geological
survey of the state. There is some
prospect for this bill to pass. A bill
has also been introduced to exempt
Texas tanned leather, and all goods
manufactured from home tanned
leather, from drummers and peddlers
tax. There is some objection to the
bill in the committee, and it is very
doubtful it ever reaches the house
with favorable report.
DIR. Combs bill providing for the
encouragement of the practice OF
Dentistry in Texas meets favorable
consideration in all hands, and by
pushing, it will most likely become q
law.
DIR. Cooks bill ITO create a State
Board of Health has been reported
unfLvorably by committee on Public
Health. The committee assigns as a
reason chiefly that its passage would
necessitate the appropriation of
money for a purpose, though worthy
in itself which can be deferred, with
out injuring the state, to a future
time The depleted treasury seems
to prevent much legislation.