El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-02-12

debating on the Measure all of yester-
day afternoon and up to noon today, by
amendment to strike out the enacting
clause. 1t is now UP for endorsement
The bill was amended so as to exempt
interurbans from its provisions also
railroads Of 645 miles or less, and also
that the act shall not apply to any
railroad that hereafter may be equipped
with the block system
To Abolish Hangings in Texas
The house committee of criminal re-
forms today reported favorably the
house bill by ROwell, which seeks TO
abolish hanging in Texas and substitute
electrOcutiOn-
The senate was not in session today,
having adjourned until Friday
Irrigation Bill Reported.
The house irrigation committee re-
ported favOrably the Burgess lasscOck
irrigation bill, which was drafted in
committee as a substitute of all other
irrigation measures introduced A pub
lie hearing was had for 10 days and
the bill is said to be satisfactory to
all sections Of the state. It applies to
all sections Of the state and not simply
to the arid regions, as the present law
does It does not change any rights.
Under Its provisions a board of en-
Eineers is created, one to be from the
rice belt. one from the panhandle and
one from the lower Rio Grande district
Under the law il viii have iurisdic-
the railroad commission does over com
mon carriers
The commission may be referred to
settle the question relating to water
rates and to determine the rights of
parties to water service frcsn irrigation
companies.
To Reform the judiciary.
The house yesterday afternoon passed
to engrOssment the Humphreys bill,
which had been under consideration
during the morning session This bill
provides for reformation Of the civil
procedure to the extent or requiring
judges to deliver their charges before
arguments are made to the jury
Another Insane Asylum.
The house also passed to engrOssment
a bin by Hunt, providing for the estab-
lishment Of a branch insane asylum, to
be located in the northwestern section
Of the state, there being 100000 ap-
prOpriated for buildings, etc
It also engrOssed a bill by Reeves
and Webb for the establishment of a
state training school at Austin for the
feeble minded.
Many New Bills.
- Twenty-Five bills were introduced in
the house, among them being a bill by
representative COffey and others. amend
ing the gross receipts tax law as ap-
piled to telephone companies, the eff
feet being to reduce the tax materially
on the 400 telephone companies in the
state also bill for the establishment
Of a state training school for incOrrigi-
Bile and delinquent girls of Texas.
To Prohibit "Campaign Isies.o
The senate passed finally a bill BY
senator Murray to prohibit the circu-
lation Of campaign lies" about a can
didate for office, heavy penalty for
such SANDER being provided in the bill
judiciary Measure Killed.
The senate killed the proposed Joint
resolution BY senator Vaughn and 9TH
ers, to amend the constitution so as to
revOlutioniZe the judiciary system Of
the state by abOlishing the courts Of
civil appeals and increasing the su-
preme court to IA members, the vote |
being 10 to 16-
Harris Bill Hearing Postponed.
The hearing before the house COM
mite on, the Harris anti-frat bill
which was scheduled for last night, was
postponed until Friday night
There were a number Of fraternity
men here to attend the meeting before
the committee last night. a strong ef-
fort is to be made bS the fraternity
men to kill the bill before it reaches
the floor Of the house. Mr.. Harris,
however, is determined to have the
measure passed. Should the bill re-
ceive a favorable report the chances
are favorable to its passage in the
Resume of the Work.
A resume of the work thus far &C
complished by the legislature has dis
closed one remarkable fact concerning
the house. and that is there have been
killed IS bills in both branches, SO in
the house and five in the senate. This
is a remarkable record for the house,
which shows clearly that unimpOrtant
and freak legislation is not in order
with the lawmakers.
The record in the house shows there
have been introduced 553 bills. Out Of
that eight bills have passed finally
and been enrolled and sent to the ex-
ecutive department for action. Of the
bills enrolled are included the Katy
merger the bill making an apprOpria-
ton of 100000 for the immediate use
Of the penitentiary system; the joint
resolution Tatifying the proposed amend
nent to the constitution providing for
the election Of United States senators
by a direct vote Of the people, and the
concurrent resolution endorsing the
acknowledgement bill pending IN con-
oress. The remainder are road laws
and school district acts.
Reforming the Courts.
Thus far there has been no concerted
action taken relative to the proposed
reforms of the judiciary II IS true
there have been several scattering bills
introduced here and there in both
branches making certain changes and
also several joint resolutions providing
for amendments to the constitution on
the subject.
Representative Rowel, who is deeply
interested in these proposed reforms,
declares that as soon as some OF the
other important measures now pending
in the house have been disposed of.
he viii make an effort to get cOnsid-
Grafton of the proposed measures. He
is also making an effort to get enacted
his bill looking TO the adjustment OF
legal executions by hanging, and pro-
vide electrOcutions Of persons convicted
and given death sentence, the execution
10 take place in the penirenuary-
Extra Session Necessary.
The finance committees Of the house
and senate are working on the general
appropriation bill. but it will be impOs-
slble to get down 10 real business on