The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-04-22
The Senate.

The senate met at 10 o'clock, Lieutenant
Governor Jester in the chair and quorum
present. 20
PRAYER was rendered by Chaplain jack
son.
Senator Rogers presented couple OF
petitions from citizens of Anderson cOun-
ty against the redistricting BILL
An elaborate report was read from the
committee which visited the penitentiaries.
Senator Burns presented bill to ap-
proprate $4,000 to purchase ground and
establish state park on the San Jacinto
battle-ground.
Senator Harrison called up the bill to
donate lot of ground to the Christian
church in Austin, and, on motion, it was
laid on the table subject to call, so as to
await further information on the subject.
Senate bill No. 25S, the ,Presler statetext
book bill, being the pending business from
adjournment. Senator Presler resumed his
argument in its support. In answer to
the argument of Senator Beall he stated
that Missouri had re-enactcd state text
book bill ut its late session. Reference
was made to lobbying by book trusts TO de-
feat legislation. The bill might be
liberalzed by allowing teachers some
latitude in the selection of primary books,
as is done in some states. The late act
of Missouri was in many respects similar
to the pending bill. Statements were
cited from state superintendent of Ar
kansas, Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana
and New Mexico, all claiming that the
state uniformity system was satisfactory,
the report from Indiana being qualified by
the explanation that it was so in the main.
Petitions were presented from numerous
citizens of various counties urging the
passage of the state uniformity bill.
A letter was read from G. l.. Edwards
of Dallas. complaining of the burdens re-
sulting from so much changing of text
books. one result of which was the sale of
secondhand books was reduced to nothing.
and worthless libraries of such books were
accumulated on the hands of parents. As
to the claim of local direction the sena-
tor argued that unless it was limited it
would be subversive of law and uniformity
for the general good.
No great system could he established
without some sacrifice of ndividualism or
local interests so as to make the system
flexible for general purposes. AS to the
pending bill, he would not advocate such
Il measure unless he believed it was de-
manded by general conditions and the
welfare of the people of Texas.
Pending further consideration, Senator
Wayland presented a resolution to amend
article II of the constitution by adding
StcllOll IL, 10 Nalluate county ponds issued
by proper county authorities for court
houses. jails and bridges.
Senator Goss. bill amending the law de-
filming Il lawful fence. and providing for
impounding of stock running at large,
passed.
Senate bill 800, providing for payment
of witnesses before grand juries and wit
nesses in eases of change of Venue was
called up by Senator Greer. 1t amends
the law by simply striking out the words
"or grand jury" in article 1888 of the Code
of Criminal Procedure.
II was argued that the bill would cost
the state $4,000. and. ON the other hand,
IT was commended that the state should nay
this rather than subject witnesses to the
hardships of attending as witnesses at a
great distance and great expense as illus
trated in one instance cited by Senator
Goss, which compelled Superintendent
Carlisle to go 365 miles by rail and 20
miles by hack at his private expense.
Senator Terrell argued that the bill
would decrease instead of increase the ex-
pense to the state, by virtue of the second
section of the bill.
Pending further action, the senate re-
cessed TO p. IN.