The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-03-19

a-.I.litsoofnIiut;ee- mas a1reauy rendered
similar report in this bill.
House bill No. COS, by Mr.. lilson, TO-
amer the law in regard to the location OF
centers of counties, will be reported uh
House bill No. 6lO by Mr.. Mckinney,
to ldate county lines, wi be reported
unfavorably.
The committee on internal improvements
met last night, and after some searchlngse
cured quorum with which they took ny
the business before them, Clerk Buchanan
presiding at the bill board
House bill No. 537, by Mr.. Baker of De
| Witt. TO prohibit railroad companies from
employing any person under the age OF IA
wears, aud who has not had at least ont
years experience in :eIegraphing, to receive
or transmit Telegraph messages or tran
orders for the movement of trains, viii be
reported favorably with an amendment.
| fixing Il penalty of from $lOJ to $1,000 ion
each violation of the act.
Senate bill No. 205, to authorize the sale
| and conveyance of the Missouri, Kansas q
| Texas Railway company, ETC., was taken
up, and detailed and comprehensive ex-
| planau N of the bill be ng heard from MT.
r O. Foster, representative of the com
pany, the bill was referred to sub com
mittee for detailed investigation.
IN THE SENATE.
The Texas senate is decidedly Irish, as
evidenced by the numerous green ribbons
decorating The lappels of the coats of the
various members yesterday morning. Even
| he president proudly wore the insignia of
the Emerald isle and itS patron saint. A
look OF determination was noted on every
face, as it had been decided to finally dis
pose of the commission bill. Only a few
sections yet remained undispOsed of, ant
as soon as the regular morning call had
be n concluded their consideration started
with a rush The latter portion of the bill
is in reference to the enforcement of the
various penalties prescribed by the act
called for little discussion.
Perhaps the most important amendment
adopted was that of Senator Harrl.
on which made it mandatory
upon the commission to see that every rail.
road or branch of railroad shall run al
least one train over such road each day.
Senator Pope also offered an entire new
section to the bill, to be lnser.ed in place OF
section % while sections % and "a were to
be moved down one place. The section is
as follows and was adopted:
The railroad companies shall be accorded
the same rights and privileges to be heard
before the commission whenever they shall
IN Ike complaint that any persons are IN
erterng with them in their compliance
with the provisions of this act, and also
when any railroad company shall make
oath through its agent that vexatious and
frivolous suits have been instituted against
it for the purpose of interfering with the
operations of its trains, said commission
shall inquire into same under the same
rules and regulations as apply TO the other
requirements of this act.
The remaining two sections were then
adopted, after which various motions to
reconsider made during the discussion of
the bill, were taken up, some of them be
ing withdrawn, while others were laid on
the table.
Senator Whatley offered substitute
which was an exact copy OF the substitute
offered, but withdrawn, by Senator Page, |
iurirg the early discussion of the bill. The |
substitute provides for the commission to |
be appointive for four years, after which ii |
hall be elective. The substitute called |
orth considerable discussion. Senator |
Whatley stated that he had only introduced |
he substitute in hopes Ofbringing about a |
between the two Ho SEES, but |
rs it seemed likely that it would cause
great discussion in the Senate, lie therefore |
his substitute.
An Jther amendment causing dis
'ussion was the, one offered |
Dy Senator Potter, prohibiting any |
salaricd state officer, from taking the COM
Senator Simkins offe ed an amendment |
providing that Senator Pottor's am end |
ment should only apply to officers elected |
by the people to such Office, and not to the |
appointees of the governor.
The amendment of Senator Simkins was |
then put to a vote and lost, after which |
Senator Porter'S amendment was adopted |
Senator Stephens then offered an amend |
ment but cepted Senator Pages substi-
ute covering the same ground The sub
st,tute allows the commission, when deem
ed necessary by them, to suspend the op.
eratlOns OF the act known as the "sepatatJ
coach bill" AS it was likely it would csI
for considerable discussion s nator Pope
move that the senate stand adjourned
until Up. m. which motion prevailed.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
As soon as the roll call had been con-
cludcd discussion co nmenced on the sub. |
stitute offered by Senator Page in III. |
Senator Stephen, being the first |
speaker and speaking in support of the !
substitute.
lie was followed by Senator Pope |
WHO opposed the change, claiming
that it savOred Of class legislation or Father |
sectional legislation al least
BY a viva vOCe vote the substitute was
chen declared lost.
Again did the "appointive- elective"
feature bob up, this time being propelled |
ny Senator Kimb'ough. He wanted the |
made appointive until ls9k |
after which it should be elective The |
chair held that the amendment was not in |
order as it then Stood but It had been so |
changed as 10 conform to the |
ruling Of the president the amendment |
was put to vote and lost by vote of 8 |
to "a.
The previous question being ordered the |
bill passed to its bird reading by unanimous
consent. Und'r IA suspension of the con-
rules the bill then passed It's |
third reading and final passage, and this |
ended the muchly prolonged discussion on
the commission bill