The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-04-26
Senate.
From Wednesdays daily. ]

Roll call. Quorum present. Prayer by
the chaplain.
Senator Lane presented petition from
the citizens of Bastrop and members of
the Farmers Alliance, asking change in
the incorporation law.
Senator Abercrombie presented peti
tion from the State Geological association
at Houston, asking that the office of state
geologist be created.
Senator Jarvis, for the finance COM
mittee, reported favorably to extend tbs
t tine in which lands sold for taxes and
bought in by the state may be redeemed
also, favorably appropriatlng $4,000 for
the improvement of the Prairie View
Normal school.
Senator Stinson, for the committee on
public grounds, reported upfavorably the
bill to lease certain los In the city of
Austin to the Farmers Alliance.
Senator Garrison, for the committee on
penitentiaries, reported favorably the bi i'll
appropriatlng 100000 to purchase 10000
acres of land for convict farms.
Senator Armistead offered a resolution
thanking the board of managers of the
colored asylum for their able and econom-
ical management of the institution.
Adopted.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
By Senator Gregg-To provide for the
annual pportionment of the free school
fund to the various counties.
By Senator Burney-Exempting certain
counties from The district school system.
By Senator Camp-To give the state
the right of injunction to prevent viola
tion of the revenue and penal laws.
The bill making an appropriation of
$65,000 for the completion of tne reforma-
tory was taken up on third reading.
Senator Gregg offered to amend strik-
ing out $4,000 for completing the build
ing. Lost-Yeas, 3; nays, 26. Senators
Burgess, Stinson and Gregg voting yea.
The bill then passed.; yeas, 26; Nays 3.
Senator Terrell, for the judiciary com
mittee No. l, reported faoorabiy house
bill No. 16, amending the corporation
law.
Senator Terrell moved to suspend the
rules to place the bill on second reading.
Senator Houston made very forcible
speech against the bill and predicted that
its passage would be frought with great
evil to the mercantile business of the
state and to the farmers themselves.
The motion to sus pend the rules pre-
vailed. Senator Lane moved to amend by
adding to section "a, provided that in no
case shall the capital stock ever exreed
100000, and providing that, should the
assets, including the capital stock,
ever exceed $150,000, the manager, within
thirty days thereafter, shall declare a
dividend,'aud pay to the stockholders
their pro rata part of the surplus over
and above $150,OOO."
A lengthy debate followed, participated
in by Senators Houston, Lane, Terrell,
Gregg, Allen and Claiborne.
The amendment was l)st-Yeas, Z; nays,
49,
Senator Houston offered to amend by
adding that no one but farmers shall be
members of the corporation. Tabled.
Senator Douglass, of Jefferson, offered
to amend so as to provide that if per-
son inherits more than $500 worth of
stock he shall not be liable for the debts
of the corporation. Tabled.
Senator Houston offered to amend SO
only farmers shall incorporate under the
act. Lost.
The bill then passed to third reading.
Adjourned until 10 O'Clock this morning