The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-01-17
Legislative Notes,


over an hour was occupied in discussing
how best to egulate the fellow who longs
to carry the festive six-shooter and other
concealed weapons, and, as bill of some
what similar character to the one discussed
yesterday has been made the special order
for to-day, it can be seen our senators are
very much in earnest on the proposition
that the six shooter must GO. There are,
however, several very able opponents of
such legislation in that body, and it is a
marked truth, as Senator Pope said yes
terday, that the tendency of such iegisla-
ton is dangerous, as with tho gates once
thrown down passion and prejudice sweep
men along rapidly and to great lengths.
Senator Mcdonald makes magnificent
looking and an excellent presiding officer.
Two railroad regulation bills were intro
duced in the senate yesterday. The legis-
lators in both branches seem up for such
legislation.
Senator Crawford is winning golden
opinions in the senate by his ready, easy
and forcible style in debate.
Few of the senators can equal Senator
Pope in repartee, and he generally scores
his point very forcbiy.
Senator Claiborne has introduced a
concurrent resolution calling for the ap-
pointment of a joint committee of the
senate and house to inquire into the ad-
visibility and expense of purchasing more
lots to the north of the capitol for the pur-
pose of enlarging the capitol grounds.
There can be no question,if this is ever to
be done, the present is the most acceptble
time for the state, as yearly all the prop
erty of Austin, and especially in the
neigborhood of the capitol, is increas
ing in value; and now is the cheapest
time for the state to act if it acts at all.
AS to the propriety of extending the
capitol grounds in that direction, it is
hardly thought there can be any question.
For,on that side, the capitol abuts directly
upon neighboring houses with but little
or no ground intervening. On all other
sides of that massive structure, there is
room and plenty of it, but not to the
north. Any comprehensive and complete
plan for identifying these grounds and
making them compare in any degree with
the magnifcence of the building they sur
round, per force involves the gaining of
more room between the capitol and any
buildings to the north of it.
In the school textbook problem it is
suggested that possibly it will be we'll to
give the state department power to desig-
nate to each school district certain
series of books from which the trustees
shall select certain ones to be used q GER
tain number of years-ssy five or six.
This plan would certainly save parents
many dollars, provided the children took
care of the books.
Hon. j. M. Nelson, of Hopkins, was a
member of the Twentieth legislature, and
when elected to that body was the young
est member that ever held seat in the
house in Texas, being in his 23rd year.
Hon. R. B. Levy, of Gregg, is the young
est member in the present house.
Hon. l.. p. Alexander is said to be the
youngest speaker that has ever occupied
the chair in the history of Texas legisla-
ton.
m.Imboden, of Madison county, the
present chief clerk of the house, is said to
be the youngest official who ever served
in that capacity.
Hon. Elias Mays, (oolored) of Brazos
county, will introduce bill in relation to
fees of clerks of the district courts, county
clerks and justices of the peace in appeal
cases.
j. d. McGaughey, of Granbury, com
mittee clerk, who has been on the sick list
for several days, Is again at his post.
Among the names to be sent in to-day
by the governor for confirmation by the
senate is that of Co. Thos. j. Goree, as
uperintendent of the State penitentiaries.
Colonel Goree ranks among the very high
est of prison managers in the United
States, and his administration of prison
affairs in this state for long number of
years has been eminently satisfactory to
the state officers and the people at large.
Beecham's Pills cure bilious and nervous