The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-01-12
SPECULATIVE GOSSIP
AS TO WHAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL
DO DURING THE WEEK.
The Members Coming in Rapidly and Abb
sorbing ALI the speakership Talk Float
ing About the Hotels-speeulstion
as to the Governors Message.

|
clerkships without number. The first
man to arrive was Hon. J. W.
rruitt, the "Shelby Oak" who
came iD last Monday. Since his ad.
vent members have been arriving
siDgly and in pairs until yesterday
they struck Austin in 1ocks and
droves and carried the place by storm.
Every train brought in its load and
the streets took unto themselves
holiday attire as the distinguished
solons hurried hither and thlther IN
search of boarding places in which to
spend the next three months.
All the hotels were crowded,
the lobbies being filled
with memb ers eagerly discussing the
speakership sit alton, while the eagle
eyed applicants with card in hand
lowered on the outskirts of the crowd
looking for the new arrival, and when
he was discovered down they would
swOop on the head of the luckless in
dividual and pour into his devoted ear
their tale of woe, at the same time en-
deavoring to impress the justice and
force of their claims on h suffrage
and influence.
The objective point of the crowd
was the lobby of the Avenue hotel at
which place Representatives Cochran
and Gossett, aspirants for the speak
ership, ha % established their head
quarters. Up to yesterday the fight
was undoubtedly between the above
named gentlemen but with
the additional arrivals of yes
tesday change in sentiment
was apparent TO the reporters OF The
STATESMAN who mingled freely with
the crowd. The other two candidates,
Representatives E. H. Rogan of Cald-
we'll and l.. p. Wilson of Harrison,
were on the ground and their friends,
who were waging an active fight in
their behalf, confidently asserted
that they were still very much in the
race, ana that some big surprises were
being bottled up to be uncorked
and sprung at the right moment when
they would carry CONSERVATION into
the lines OF the enemy. The workers
for Cochran and G0ssett were equally
sanguine, each claiming that their
man would have a regular Walkover
and win the prize with hands down.
Caucusing was very decidedly the
order of the day, and the proceedings
of the numerous caucuses held
would make book the
size of the Congressional
Record were they known. There was
no definite caucus number fixed, but
whenever enough friends of any one
candidate got in a bunch they would
put their heads together AID seeking
a secluded corner go over the whole
ground. One member from the wild
and woody west was discovered by the
reporter with a scratch book and pen.
Gil seated on fire plug caucusing all
by his lone.
Governor Hogg was very conspic-
nous figure in the Avenue lobby as
he sat in one of the big arm chairs
surrounded by an admiring group OF
ardent supporters. His friends EN-.
phatically assert that he is taking no
dish whatever, in the speakership
contest and the reporter is forced to
the conclusion that his presence in
their midst yesterday was caused by
his desire to grasp them by the hand
and to personally express to them his
thanks for their efforts in his behalf.
~
The STATESMAN Rounder was in.
formed that the Austin correspondent
of the Houston Post was furnished
last evening with copy of the gov
ernor's message, which will not be
given to the other state papers until
Monday, and which will, it is said,
among other things recon-
mend that liberal appropri
alton be made tor beautlfylng
the capitol grounds and placing them
in a condition in keeping with the
magnificent building that is the pride
of every citizens OF Texas, and also
that new mansion be erected for the
occupancy of his successor; that while
owing to the constitutional inhibition
against the legislature making a
Worlds Fair appropriation it may,
by resolution, authorize the superin-
tendent of the department of Insur-
ance, Statistics and History to turn
over to the managers OF the Texas
Worlds Fair movement, on their
guarantee of the safe return of the
same, all the historic records ard
elics in his possession for exhibition
in the Texas building; that the legis-
lature create board of pardons to be
appointed by the governor to ex-
anime into all applications for execu-
tive clemency, the same to be referred
to him tor final action it being eX-
pressly provided by the constitution
that all pardons and torfeitures OF
fines and punish ments shall be grant
ed by the governor.
1t is understood that considerable
space will be allotted to the discus
sion of railroad stocks and bonds, the
issuance of municipal bonds and the
raj road commission. 1t is also under
stood that he will recommend the !
passage of law which will require all
railroads before the issuance of any
stocks or bonds to submit them to the
railroad commission for their official
stamp of approval, and that the same
shall be recorde1 with the
secretary of state in book
kept for that purpose, and
that the officer or official of any rail
road who shall wi'fully issue or cause
to be issued any fictitious stocks or
bonds shall be deemed guilty of hav-
ing committed penal otfense, and be
punished in such way as the legisla-
ture may direct.
In regard to the railroad commission