Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-01-17
A Heated Discussion Over the Bill
to Annul the Pistol Law.
Major Goree Talks About the Employ
ment of COnvictS-Dr. DOrSett's
ReappOintment Doubtful.
Favorable Report to be Made on the Bill to BE.
peal the Tax on Drummers-A RepublI-
can SpOilsmen Canens
THE PISTOL BILL.

The flSIOL blLLs
Special to the Gazette.
AUSTIN, TEX, Jan. 16.-Interest
oentered in the senate this morning. The
bill to annul the pistol law, leaving it in
the discretion of the jury whether the
''toter'' of deadly weapon should be
find or imprisoned or both, was up for
discussion, and some very lively speeches
were made thereon. A particularly
sharp discussion occurred between Sena-
tors Burgess and Simkins on the question
of personal liberty, a discussion from
which both emerged entirely unhurt and
in perfectly good humor. Burgess wants
the law amended and Simkins wants il
left alone. Senator Atlee made u strong
argument in favor of an amend
ment, and Crawford, the brilliant
young senator from Hopkins, delivered
ringing speech in favor of the law as it
is now.
SUPREME COURT REPORTER.
The proposition contained in bill now
pending in the senate 10 change the man.
ner of appointing the reporter of the SUI
prene court, is considered by some as Is
slap at Alex Terrell, who has long held
that position
The nominations sent into the senate
by the governor to-day were just what
everyone expected. The old officers hav-
ing been faithful, efficient and satisfao-
tory, and fairly won their re-appoint-
mentS.
EMPLOYMENT OF CONNECTS.
Maj. Goree was asked to-day about the
employment of convicts. He says the
policy is TO work within the walls all they
can, and outside only those they must.
About 1000 are now kept at the two peni-
tentarieS.
There seems to be some doubt as to
whether DR.. DoFsett will be reappointed
superintendent of the lunatic asylum
here. In what particular, if any, he has
failed to give satisfaction cannot be as
certained, but there is a strong fight being
made to down him, probably more
for the sake of somebody who wants TO
succeed him more than any other cause.
Gen. Handy has been busy to-day pre-
pairing a railway bill which he will prob
ably introduce tomorrow. 1t provides
for commission.
WILL REPORT FAVoRABLY.
The committee on revenue and taxa
ton will report favorably tomorrow, the
Mills bill. This bill repeats the tax on
drummers and shippers, reduces that on
merchants and auctioneers Is per cent.
imposes tax of $50 for the state and $40
for each county on money lenders or their
agents, and tax of $3.50 on mercantile
agencies.
TEXAS REPUBLICANS.
A sort of consultation OF Texas Repub-
licans was held here to-day. Quincy,
the colored leader of Galveston, and
James P. Neweomb of San Antonio, who
was secretary of state under the RepubIi-
can administration OF Governor E. J.
Davis, sixteen years ago, were present,
among others of less note. 1t is under
stood the meeting had reference to a di-
vision of the party plumber for this state.
Alderman Plat of Austin wants the dis
trict attorneyship of West Texas, while
Schneider, the squatter on the arsenal
plock, has an eye to the Austin post
office.
WILL ATTEND THE ENCAMPMENT.
The following representatives of Austin
post will attend the fourth annual en-
campment Grand Army OF the Republic
soon to occur at Fort Worth: J C.. De-
Gress, d. Friedman, J IL. W. Burke, w.
H. Man.
TELEGRAM FROM COKE.
In reply to a telegram from members
of the state senate, the following dispatch
was received from United States Senator
Coke tonight:
WASHINGTON Jan. 16.
To Senators Claiborne, Crawford, Armistead,
DAVIS, Morris, Atlee, Mcdonald, Jarvis,
Field. Frank, Tyler, Lane, Sims, John
son, Upshaw, Pope, Kimbrough, woodward,
Abercrombie, Maetze, Douglass, Scale, Town
send, Simkins, Burgess and Harrison, Aus
tin:
Gentlemen-Your dispatch received.
I return sincere thanks to each and all Of
you and will hold in grateful remem-
berance the confidence and good win it
implies. 1t shall be the aim of my life
to justify the kindly expressions you send
me. (Signed), RICHARD COKE.
This means that the senate as well as
the house is unanimous for the re-elec-
ton of Mr.. Coke United States senator.