The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-03-14


O'Clock, Acknowledgements Wheeler in
the chair. Roll call; quorum present
Prayer by the chaplain, Doctor Smoot.
PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS.
Senator Stephens-Petition from Ran
dali county requesting the reduction in
price of school lands.
Senator Burges-PetitiOn from Llano
county against extending the jurisdiction
OF the district court of the county.
There were six petitions for and four
petitions against the passage of the COM
mission bill.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS.
BY Senator Lane-Bill to provide for
prosecution of officers for official miscOn-
duct, ETC., and to regulate proceedings
therein.
BY Senator Glassoock (by reqDest)-
Bill to better protect the capitol building.
At 1920 the special order, the commits
sion bill, was taken up, and Senator Atlee
took the floor. He believed the people of
Texas were conservative people, but the
bill sent to the senate was not a conserva-
tive bill. In section 6 of that bill
is found negation of the right
of railroads to manage their own affairs.
He could not believe such a law would be
right or Just. He commended that rail-
roads had property rights and should be
allowed to exercise them. He dwelt upon
the unusual, unconstitutional and harsh
features of the house bill, and declared the
senate bill was but little better He dilated
upon what the railroads had done for
Texas, in developing it, selling its lands,
enhancing it's values, increasing its pOpu-
nf
while they should be judiciously regulated,
they are too valuable to the present and
the future of the state to have them OPP
pressed and crippled. He spoke of the
vast interests of the state that might be
injured by restrictive legislation. His
section, all western Texas, needed new
railroa and he could not think for a
moment OF putting any impediments in
the way of their building. He spoke
earnestly for an hour.
Senator Frank began a speech for the
bill at 1870. He declared that the minor
ity of the senate, of which he was mem
Der, were in this case in an unfortunate
position; for while it favored generally Il
compassion bill, yet in the bill now be-
fore the senate there were many features
to which that minority could not subscribe.
For himself,'he was no enemy to railroads,
but he did demand they be regulated and
their determinations and extortions be
stopped. The discussion for tho last nine
days had not been on the merits of the
bill, but the senate had been resolved into
political convention, and, seemingly,
party issues had been the real topic of
discussion. He would go the limit of say
ing that he would place the railroads on
the same footing as individuals. He
wanted them governed as individuals were.
He earnestly desired something should be
done to settle this ever-recurring trouble
some question. 1t was unquestioned that
yearly the demand for this kind of legis-
lation is growing in influence and popu-
larity, and the timeswill come when IL will
prevail. He wanted laws governing the
railroads more clearly defined and the
railroads better regulated. He spoke for
a half hour.
Senator Woodward had not intended to
speak on the question, but merely en-
phasize his opposition to the bill by voting
against it. Yet, he would not be regarded
here moral coward, and he would speak
shortly his We've. He regarded the bill as
unconstitutional. He believed a commits
sion would suspend railroad building in
the state. He wanted the railroads regu
lated oonstitutionally, and would go as far
as any senator in that direction. But this
bill would be extremely oppressive, I'D he
would vote against it.
Senator Burney-He had not changed
his mind from two years ago, that the
measure was not eXpedient at this time.
As to its constitutionality, he was not so
clear as then that it was UNCONSTITUTIONAL
yet, he was not certain that 1t was constitu-
tional, and hence under his oath as senator
he could not vote for it. 1t was comforting
at one time upon board executive, legis
lative and judicial authority. Nine-tenths
of his district was opposed to it, and he
would vote against the bill.
long letter from Mr.. Blake, of Dallas,
was read IN defense of his statements be-
fore the senate committee on internal
improvements, as TO freight rates, etc.
At O'Clock the senate adjourned to 2:30
p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The senate met at 2:3O, and call of
the senate was ordered to secure a quorum.
A petition was offered by Senator
Maetze, from fifty citizens of Austin
county, asking for state health board.
Senator Upshaw called up senate bill
$50, forbidding blacklisting of discharged
employees by corporations, companies,
agents or persons. The bill was engrossed
and under q suspension of the rules was
passed.
Senator Burgess introduced bill regu
Iating the method of disbarring attorneys
at-law for malpractice.
At $3.50 the commission bill was taken
up, and Senator Pope began his argu-
ment against it. On the same day the
electoral vote was counted for Harrison
this same bill passed the house. Both are
bad omens for Texas. He first discussed