Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1913-01-30
SHEPPARD ADDRESSED
TEXAS LAW MAKERS
SAID DECLINE OF AMERICAN SEN
ATE HAD GIVEN RISE TO PRO
l. GRESSINE MOVEMENT WHICH
HAS SWEPT THE COUNTRY.
DECLARED HE WAS GOING TO SEN
ATE TO SUSTAIN THAT APOSTLE
OF HUMAN RIGHTS, WOODROW
WILSON
Especial to The Herald. }

| Austin, Tex, Jan. 29.-The legislature
in joint session at noon today officially
declared Norris Sheppard elected United
States senator from Texas for the short
| or unexpired term of Senator Bailey, and
also for the long term of six years.
A committee consisting of Represcn-
tatives Robbins. Wagastaff, Byrnc Ali
son and lIeilig frorN the house, and Sen
ltOrS Vaughan. Townsend and Lattimer.
| for the senate. escorted Mr.. Sheppard to
| the speakers stand in the house. and the
latter delivered a masterful address. He
was introduced by Senator Vaughan.
Mr.. Sheppard said he would conse
crate his life to the welfare of the peO-
pie. and no shadow of special interests
shall cross or fall on it,
He told of the decline of the American
senate until it became the laughing stock
pf the nation, and that this was what
gave rise to the progressive movement
which has swent the United States
Il shall 90 TO the United States senate
to represent the whole people" said Mr..
Sheppard. land to sustain that apostle
of human rights, Woodrow Wilson"
He also scored the liquor interests and
declared that he hoped to see the day
when it would be prohibited to exist
His certificate of election to both terms
was certified to this afternoon by the
secretary Of the senate and by the chief
clerk of the house, to the secretary of
state. who will issue his commission. Mr..
Sheppard expects to leave tomorrow
morning for Washington where he will
assume his duties.
The legislature was not in session this
afternoon, both branches having al
iourned until tomorrow morning. The
senate Judiciary committee reported fav-
Orably the early saloon closing bill, and
also bill by Senator Vaughan to com
pei retail liquor dealers to file an annual
report with the comptroller. showing the
ownership of property and contributions
made for any political purpose
An effort is being made to obtain an
early sine die adjournment of the legis-
lature. Representative BrOughtOn has
obtained the signatures of 62 members of
the house who favor adjournment at the
cvpiratiOn of the constitutional limit Of
sixty days. Tomorrow he will offer a
resolution to that effect. This will force
an extra session, as it will be impossible
TO DaSS the general appropriation bill
within that period.
The senate today killed a bill bv Sena-
ter Watson. which SOUGHT to prohibit
minors from entering saloons and pro
viding fine Of $3.50 for such an offense.
The senatorial investigation committee
of the attorney generals department has
adjourned until Monday. In the mean
time, Chairman Mc(iregOr of the com
mttce. has filed with the committee de
tailed specifications against former At
tOrncy General LightfOOt. in which an
effort is made to show apparent derelic-
ton of duty in the prosecution Of certain
trusts claimed to be operating in Texas
The investigation will include the opera
tons of the Texas company and the
Pierce FOrdvce Oil association. success
OrS TO the Wnters Pierce Oil company.
Senator Willacy today introduced Il
bill in the senate providing for the crca-
ton Of department of seed selection
and Improvement rs q part of the Dcni-
tcntiarv system This department is to
be worked bv convicts under Il skilled
"ncrntCndcnt.
| 4 bill was also introduced by Senators
Nu""nt and Cowell providing for the cS-
! tahiShmcnt Of u state training school.
and home for feeble minded people Of
Texas. A bill was introduced hv Scna-
tor AStin providing for the sterilization
of certain classes of criminals.
| The governor tonight declined to sign
the commission of the Hon. Norris Shcp-
Dard as United States senator from
Texas. Gov. ColQuitt Indicted that he
would sign the commission in due time
and mail it to Mr.. Sheppard at Washing.
ton. This may delay the new senator in
taking his seat