The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-03-23

was ISCOuslueTSu, IL SlIlhoS Uut Iuo
proposition that call property appear
ing on the rolls of any town or city as.
SCISSOR is worth at least the amount
for which it is thereby assessed"
There was considerable discussion
of the amendment, reaching the gen.
eral merits of the bill, in which it was
contended that as taxation should be
uniform, the same rules of assessment
should be generally applied, in cities
as we'll as towns. The discussion was
by Messrs. Curry, Chambers, Garrett,
AlstOn, Bayne, Moore, Onion, Pagan.
One argument was that no man
should be allowed to render his prop
erty at one value to the city and an
other to the county.
The amendment was adopted, ayes
81, nays 40.
BY MIR. Kennedy of Bee-Amend-
ment striking out all of section 2,
which provides that in the assess
ment of property the tax assessor and
comptroller shall observe the FORE
going rules and shall not accept or
list any property for taxation at less
valuation than prescribed therein.
Mr. Finlay argued that the bill was
unconstitutional, and that it was on
the wrong line of legislation 10 under
take to fix valuations because the con-
stitution says the assessor shall fix
them.
Messrs. Moore and Onion combatted
Mr.. Finlay's construction of the con-
stitution as applied to the bill, and
contended that it was competent for
the legislature to provide the regula.
tions prescribed.
Messrs. Sherrett and Chambers
spoke in favor of striking out the Sec
ton.
The amendment was adopted-ayes
"a, nays 81.
By Mr.. hambers-Amend by strik.
ing out in section the words that all
real, personal and mixed property
and franchises are worth at least the
amount of encum berances at the date
of assessment by mortgage or other
lien.
Mr.. Feagan of Polk moved that the
bill be indefinitely postponed. ,
Mr.. Slayden said that it seemed
that the more the house considered the
bill the less he liked it. 1t was bad
from start to finish. The country is
full of instances of property mort
gagged to and even over its full value.
The city of Temple for instance had
voluntarily consented to a higher
valuation of property to afford basis
for raising money for water supply
from outside the city limits after fail
ing to get it from artesian wells in
the town.
Mr.. Henderson of Lamar-The
Democracy will not control this house
two years hence if this bill goes TO the
wall, emasculated as proposed.
Mr.. Mills moved as substitute for
the motion TO postpone, to strike out
the enacting clause.
Mr.. Boren-Will you vote for chat
motion?
Mr.. Mills-No; but that is the way
to kill it, since it has been already
emasculated into worthless thing.
Mr.. Mills spoke, and Mr.. Wheless
closed the debate, both in favor OF the
bill. Finally resolution by MIR. Fields
was adopted that the whole matter be
referred to a special commit GO, and
the speaker appointed as the commit
tee Messrs. Fields, Truitt, Mile
Wheless and Rogan.
Adjourned till o'clock.
In the afternoon session of the
house, Mr.. Henderson of Lamar
moved 10 non-concur in senate amend
ments to the general deficiency bill
and Messrs. Henderson, Mills, Nor
rison, Simmons and Wheless were ap'
pointed committee of conference on
the part of the house.
AT the instance of Mr.. Wilson
house bill 227 limiting and regulating
the issuance of bonds Snd stocks by
railroads and declaring the effect ol
judicial and other sales of railroads
was considered Mr.. Wilson making
an elaborate argument in it's favor.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed
and Mr.. Moore moved to reconsider.
Mr.. Moore said that although rail
road regulations was one of the de-
mands of the Democratic platform
he had to part company with those
who favored such measures so far az
to oppose this bill. and spoke at some
length and quite forcible against it.
Mr.. Henderson of Milan argued
that Texas was an opportune field fol
investment, rather than for uncer
tain speculation. He wanted the mo
ton to reconsider voted down and lei
the bill come to discussion upon It'll
merits.
Mr. Wilson in the chair.
Tn s'house refused to reconsider by
a vote of % to IL.
Mr.. Onion asked for suspension o
the rules to take up the concurrent
resolution to investigate the affairs o
the Houston and Texas Central rail
road as suggested in the late message
of Governor Hogg, but the house re
fused.
i House bill So, regulating assign
ments and prohibiting naming pre-
ferred creditors in cases of business
failures came up on it's third reading
Mr.. Henderson offered an amend
ment fixing the priority OF creditors
about as their claims are fixed in thu
general bankrupt law.
The amendment wac modified by
amendment of Mr., Smith of Hill
striking out clause4 as to debts Sc
cured by any lien valid under this
act to the extent of the proceeds of thu
property covered by such lien, etc.
and clause as to general unsecured
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