The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-02-28
PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS.

present. Prayer Dy bho OhoPAaih, LIT.
R. K. Smoot.
PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS.
By Senator Aller-Petition from citi-
zens of Andrews county against being at
taobed to Midland county for judicial pur-
poses.
Petitions against the passage of rail-
road commission bill: By Senator Field,
from citizens of Robertson county; Sena-
for Upshaw, from citizens of Hill county;
SENATOR Jarvis, from 421 business and la
boriupmen of Fort Worth; Senator Allen,
from citizens of Melissa; Senator Arm
istead. from 2O3 citizens of Bowie county;
Petitions favoring the commission bill:
Bv Senator Rurney, from twenty citizens
of Ell Paso; Senator Glasscock, from 1876
| voters of Burnett county; Senator Clai-
borne, memorial from the legislative COM
mittee of the Farmers Alliance; Senator
Armistead, from thirty-seven citizens of
Titus county; Senator Woodward, from
thirty SIX citizens of Goliad county; Sena-
tor Field, from voters of Milan county.
Senator johnson, from seventy voters
of Upshaw county; Senator Allen, from
seyentv-sx farmers of Cooke county; SEN
ator Armistead, from citizens of Titus
county.
| By Senator Atlee-petition of citizens of
Nueces county to abolish the office of in
speotor of hides and animals.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES.
Senator Sims-For committee on judici-
al districts favorsbly bill designating the
counties composing and fixing the time of
holding court in the Twenty nineth judi
cial district.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.
Senator Abercrombie-Bill providing
in case of sale of road bed, track, fran
chise or chartered right of railway COM
pany, the purchasers may incorporate for
the purpose of maintaining and operat-
ing the branch thus acquired.
Senator Kimbrough-Bill allowing JUS
tees of peace to appoint clerk and pre-
soribing his powers and duties.
Upon motion of Senator Burney, the
senate insisted upon its amendments to
the bill validating titles to the Land board
sales, and Senators Bnrney, Sims and Lane
were appointed conference committee.
Senator Burgess moved that the after
noon sessions be devoted to the considera
ton of the commission bill, while the
morning sessions be devoted to general
legislation. After much discussion the
motion was defeated by vote of IA yeas
to 16 nays.
The bill providing for the taking of
statistics in agriculture, horticulture and
stockraising was called up by Senator
Harrison, and, under suspension of the
rules, was passed, adding a department
to the bureau of statistics and history.
The special order, the commission bill,
was taken up and Senator Simkins, at
l0:45, began his argument. He had only
prepared himself for the argument the
night before He had only been deputed
to answer Senator Mcdonald at the close
of that gentleman's speech Monday. 1t
was very evident that Senator Mcdonald
had prepared and carefully prepared his
speech to answer an argument made sew
eral weeks ago in the other branch of tn Q
legislature. And SO closely had it been
written that he could not leave its line to
answer an argument published by Judge
Terrell the day before, that at close
range poured hot shot into his (Senator
McDonald's) position. As to there being
enough laws already passed-yes, there
might be, but they were not being on
forced. And Senator McDonalds praise
of the attorney generals work against
the railways was most transparent en-
comiun. There is absolute need of cor
rection of railroad usages. There is dead
rot in the home industries of the state.
Texas is vast farm for New York. The
people ought to have some say-so about
the to xes they pay-and yet, the railroads
are grinding down the people and they
cannot say word in their defense. Every
senator knows the people are oppressed,
and yet you find no complaints filed in the
attorney generals Office. And why? Be-
cause the railroads have the merchants and
farmers absolutely at their mercy and they
dare not complain lest their throats may
, be cut by the railroads. They have the
power and will unscrupulously use it
against any informers.
, upon the constitutional question, he
ably defended the memory and legal learn
ing OF Judge Woods. As to the Old AL
, caldes opinion, it was given without ar
{ gument of counsel and is not adjusted to
tue newest theories and latest decisions.
he described and detailed the method of
/ Ialiroad construction in the state, and
? demonstrated how the money invested was
myOnlcally invested and com pound inter-
est was expected on such outlay. Very
large per cent was derived from such capi-
, tai If never cent of dividend was paid.
ne ciCeu gross inequalities in freight
oharges. lie demanded that we stop the
srinulng down of one section and the
ouiiulng up of another by these railroads
, at Will. Receivers run railroads, and RIM
snem WELL improving and building them
up Men are taken from the bar and con
quot railroads well. But take these roads
+ out OF the hands of the receivers ard
Snen the roads go down and down again.
because the money is not used for the i'm.
Pr9vement of the roads, but for the en-
r nonnae OF their managers. Why then
cannot commission handle these roads
Wen-as well as receivers? Senator Sim.
k klns spoke most ably and forcibly for an
hour and halt. Oh
senator Stephens offered a bill to d.
Of i9 tha .ne civil and criminal jurisdiction
vi sne county courts of Hale, Potter and
human counties and confor,, A. -: