The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-02-07

party, was contrary to the democratic
rule OF construction of the Constitution
and entirely too latitudinarian in its
scope and effect. 1t was like son saying
e. his father, if you say not to do thing
il one way will do it in another way. 1t
was not right to split the construction of
the Constitution in that way. He was ap
plauded several times during his remarks.
Mr.. Rentfro replied dsprecating Mr..
Stevenson's political illusions. Although
a republican he yielded to no man in love
for Texas and devotion to the best in
terests of the state, and on this score he
could confidently appeal to his constitu-
ents who had elected him over 4 demo-
cratic opponent in district which gave
1900 majority for Cleveland. As for the
doctrine of constitutional construction
which he advocated, it was that of fer
son and o.her great expounders of the
Constitution. Applause.
Mr.. Bryan said he found nothing in the
Constitution prohibiting such measures.
The only question was as to its necessity,
and he was willing to conceds the people
of Bexsr needed the new district under
the statements presented by the friends of
the bill. We should recognize the local
wants of the people, and eonstrue the
Constitution as literally as possible to
meet them. That instrument, he
argued, was flexible enough to meet
such necessities. He was even
opposed to constitutional convention, as
the present Constitution was flexible
enough for our purposes. He spoke
earnestly and was applauded.
Mr.. Frost also spoke strongly in favor
of the bill, eliciting applause.
Mr.. Robinson, of Bexar, also elioited
applause by his warm advocacy of the
bill. My people, he said, will not fail to
remember the gentleman flom Parker for
the active part he had taken in telling
them what they nesded, and constituting
himself a solon to instruct them.
This ended the discussion, and the bill
passed as stated.
Mr.. Pope moved to reconsider and to
lay that motion on the table. Adopted.
House bill No. GO, comforting concurrent
original jurisdiction in certain cases on
county and Justices courts in Blanco,
Kimble, Llano, Gillespie and Menard
| counties, was ordered engrossed.
House bill for the relief Of John B.
Reagan, sheriff, was referred to finance
committee.
House bill creating Coke county out of
part of Tom Green county was discussed.
Mr.. Pickett offered substitute making
the name Tilden. He said he (Pickett)
was a warm friend of Senator Coke, but
he was sure Mr.. Coke himself would favor
the substitution, as in 1876 that gentle
man opposed naming counties for the
living. There was no honor, even to the
presidency, which he would not bestow
upon his distinguished friend Senator
Coke, if possible.
Pending discussion the house adjourned
till O'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr.. Hamblen offered substitute for the
Coke county bill, changing the name to
Dick Bowling, the hero of Sabine Pass,
where he said Bowling with forty other
Irishmen kept back the Federal ships and
army of 1900 men.
The substitute was tabled. This brought
Mr.. Hamblen to his feet to express sur
prise at hearing some one cheer the result.
Shame on the man he said who could
cheer at such action.
Mr.. Ellison-I understand the citizens
of the Territory want the name of Coke.
Mr.. Piokest-If the gentleman is correct
he has different information from what l
have.
Several members commended that Coke
was the name the people wanted, and the
bill was engrossed.
House bill creating new charter for
Waco was engrossed.
Mr.. Humphrey presented house bill
475 providing for payment of state
bonds issued under the act of August 1870.
House adjourned till 10 O'Clock to-
morrow.
Continued on Tenth Page.l