The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-02-15
To Push the Tax Bill and 10 Prevent Dlla.
tory Tactics.
CHAPTER VI HAS NOW BEEN TAKEN UP
considerable Discussion on the Mo-
tion 10 Put Rack the Oath Which
the Commission Framed.

Mr. Cooke presided and 1t was decided tC
lay aside individual objections to particu-
lar features of the bill whenever neces-
sary to accelerate its progress. Messrs.
Garner. shelhutne and Savage were named
as floor managers to direct debate from
now on and lead the resistance to any OPP
position. 1t was agreed also that motions
to table should be made and supported
whenever dilatory amendments arc offered
and to move the previous question in every
instance where Indications OF purpose to
kill time manifesta Itself. As result OF
this caucus agreement, business was rushed
today. The programme prepared therein
was strictly adhered to and the talk was
shut Off Once during the day Mr.. Ken
nedy attempted to buck tho caucus center.
but It was no use. He protested against
what he termed tie application of the gag
rule but they only laughed at him and
called "time."
AFTER ON. however. Mr. Wheles stopped tho
procession for awhile and almost ditched
The caucus band wagon. Article 1914. which
tells how agents shall list property for
others. was under discussion. and the gem
tlemen from Calves offered an amend
ment thereto providing that agents shall
swear TO the best OF their knowledgs and
belief after diligent inquiry. Instead of cold
from thu shoulder as required of princ-
pals. Having obtained the floor, Mr.. wheles
objected to having lis motives impugned
by men who went into executive session
for two or three hours and then came out
and charged everybody who refused TO see
matters in the same light with themselves
with being obstructionlsts. In his opin-
ion tho trouble was not so much in the in
efficiency OF the tax laws as In the failure
to execute them. Every amendment he
had offered TO the bill was in the direction
of perfecting it and that was his purpose
now, as he realized that he had a share in
the responsibility for its ultimate fate and
did rot want to 20 home feeling that he was
10 blame for hastv and undigested legisla-
ton The Wheles amendment was adopted
on viva yoce vote. and division hay
ing been called for. 1t was again adopted,
but call was made for the ayes and noes
before the result was announced. and when
it came 10 going on record on the question
1t was defeated by a small majority.
THE NEXT ARTICLE tackled was 500 and
the ball opened up right. This is the urti
Gle which contains the oath prepared by the
tax commission for taxpayers to take in
rendering their property TO the assessor.
Tho committee on internal improvements
in reporting the bill recommended the strik-
ing out of tho following from said OATH
I hat Mill ,l,
my knowledge and Judgment value said
property and all of 1t at its full and true
value, by which mean the price that could
be obtained therefor at private sale. and
not at forced or auction sale. | further
swear that will not place valuation
upon any property that | now propose to
render at a less valuation than tho total
amount OF insurance carried by me on prop
5rty exclusive OF constitutional eXemp-
tions that l am rendering herein.
FARMER AND BAILEY offered amendments
to restore the language eliminated by the
committee and instantly thsre was clanor
for recognition from every direction. Smith
OF Collin got the floor, and as a representa-
tive OF the black land district pleaded guilty
TO the charge that the black land contin-
gent was opposed to the oath; but added
that he was ready TO take such bill as
the house might pass IL no could not get
such bill as he wanted. Smith of Gray
son opposed the Bailey and Garner amend
ments Childers spoke in the same strain
and Wooten and Lloyd saw no good in the
proposition: on the other hand, Messrs
Tucker. Murphy. Garner and Bailey insist
ed that lands be assessed ut something
like their real value. and In the midst of
the discussion recess was taken until 1880
y. m.
IT THE NIGHT SESSION Coles school
trustee bill printed elsewhere) was taken
UP aud passed finally under suspension OF
the rules after having been amended SO as
TO provide that petitions for an election TO
determine whether school trustees in cities
INCORPORATED under the general laws shall
be elected or not shall be signed by 20 per
cent OF the qualified voters who voted at
the last city election instead of by 30 per
cent OF such voters as originally provided
in the bill On motion Of Mr. Wooten, the
city OF Dallas was especially exempted from
the provisions OF the bill. Thomas bill
providing for biennial instead Of an an
nual school census was read the second
time and adjournment was had until to-
morrow morning.
hh NET RESULT Of today's work in the
mouse was the adoption OF chapter V. re-
'atlng TO the taxation of liquor dealers II
Was amended so as to reduce the hond of
dealers In malt liquors to only $1,000 snd
further to provide that guaranty, and surety
companies may be accepted on liquor dooI.
''s ponds, Two amendments recommended
by the committee on revenue and taxation
were shocked out; one obligated saloon
keepers not to keep in their employment
persons who have been adjudged guilty of
violating the laws regulating the sale of
liquors and the other provided that in suits
70 recover penalties on liquor dealers bonds
ignorance might be pleaded as defense.
~here sales to minors, habltual drunkards
or students Is charged
FIFTEEN ARTICLES of chapter VI. relating
TO property subject TO taxation and the
mode Of rendering same. were also adopted
lhen article 50I5, which prescribes the oath
10 be subscribed to IN rendering propertv for
taxation was reached aud the first real seran
over the Dill began and the end is not vet
tomorrow the battle will be renewed and
no man can tell tonight who will win. II
may be stated. however, that the fats n,
sue o''l as whole depends in large meas
We on the result Mr.. Bailey and several
oiners have already served notice that un.
Tess the oath prescribed By. the tax com.
mission IS adopted IN the act they will ault
the hill cold w.