Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1897-02-17

Austin, Texas, February 13.-In the
senate yesterday morning Mr.. Col
quits concurrent resolution providing
and was sent over to the house. The
for I'm adjournment sine die on March
20 passed by a comfortable majority
senate is getting restless, and the idea
prevails there that thirty days more
is all that Is necessary for the dispoei-
ton of such legislation as is expected
Of this session. If the house does not
in that time act upon such measures
as the senate sends 1t, or 1t does not
send the senate something Of import
ance to pass upon, the advocates of an
early adjournment think the governor
should call an extra session and speci-
fy what legislation shall be considered
threat. They say it is unfair to keep
the senate here for four months wait
ing upon the house, while the latter is
wasting time upon unimportant bills
the exclusion of matters Of prime inter
est and value.
On motion Of Mr.. Goss the senate
yesterday, by significante vote,
adopted resolution providing for the
appointment of joint committee OF
both houses to investigate the school
book question and prepare bill to reg
ulate the sale thereof, the object being
to break up corners on this business. A
hard but Intellectual fight was made on
the resolution by an aggressive minori-
ty.
An attempt was made yesterday
evening in house judiciary committee
No. 2 to regalvanize one of the three
so-called "inflooence bills recently
killed by that body, without success.
The object of the authors of these bills
is to provide severe penalties for the
tender or acceptance Of political influ-
ence to carry elections. The AFFECTION
able feature thereof is the making 1t
possible to obtain conviction on the
unsupported testimony of an accom-
plicc guaranteed immunity from prose-
cution. A majority of the committee
became impressed with the magnifi-
cent possibilities for litigation such a
law would create.
Mr.. Wards bill providing for extern
sion of the Australian ballot system to
rural precincts, and throwing safe
guards around elections, was laid be-
fore the house yesterday morning. Op.
position developed thereto from sew
eral populous sections of the state,
those who did not favor its passage
making the frank, though singular ad-
mission that they did not like it be-
cause it would prevent the manipula-
ton of voters. Further argument will
be heard next week and the friends of
the bill promise some strong speeches.
The general opinion is that 1t will not
pass, there being some fear of 1t among
the representatives Of rural precincts
who, while they admit that 1t is q gool
measure, are reluctant to adopt such a
radical change in the election laws Is 1t
proposes without giving their constitu-
ents an opportunity to study and digest
1t.
Mr.. Burns resolution providing for
the submission Of constitutional
amendment TO permit residents OF in
corporated cities to tax themselves for
street paving, etc, and levy said tax
upon abuttins property, has been fayo-
ably reported to the senate.
A petition indorsing Representative
Edwards Of Duval county and asking
President Mckinley to appoint him
collector of the port of Brownsville is
being circulated among and signed by
members Of beth houses.
House finance committee this even
ing killed the bill prohibiting the max
ing of gold contracts in this State.