Legislative Session.-The forty-sixth General Assembly began its regular biennial session on Jan. 7, adjourning on April 8 to May 7, when it again met and at once dissolved. On Jan. 15 United States Senator Isham G. Harris was reelected for the term of six years by the following vote: Senate-Harris 23, Leonidas C. Houk (Republican nominee) 10; House-Harris 73, Houk 26. In the Democratic caucus, Senator Harris was nominated on the fourth ballot, his strongest opponent being John D. C. Atkins. The following new incumbents of administrative State offices were elected: Secretary of State, Charles A. Miller; Treasurer, M. F. House; Comptroller, J. W. Allen; Attorney-General, G. W. Pickle.

Two noteworthy results of the session were a registration act and a ballot-reform law. The former requires that in all towns, cities, and civil districts having 500 polls, every voter must secure registration at least twenty days before an election. The Governor is directed to appoint three commissioners of registration for each county, each member holding office for two years. This board shall appoint two registrars for each civil district or ward, who shall examine and register such applicants as are by law qualified to vote. The ballot-reform act is applicable to all counties having a population of over 70,000 people and to cities of over 9,000 according to the census of 1880. All ballots for national, State, county, and district offices are to be printed at the expense of the counties, and for municipal elections at the expense of the cities. The chairman of the county board of commissioners of registration, who is given charge of printing and distributing the ballots, is required to print thereon the names of all regular caucus candidates nominated at least ten days before the election, and of all independent candidates, recommended by at least fifteen voters, who present their application ten days before the election. Any one who was not nominated, or did not intend to be a candidate, till within ten days of the election may print a ticket and exhibit it at the polls, in order that voters may copy the names therefrom into the blank spaces left after the names of the candidate in the official ballots; but such ticket can not be voted. The names of candidates for the same office are to be printed together, and upon the back is to be stamped the words "official ballot for," together with the name of the precinct and the fac-simile of the signature of the officer charged with the printing. The elections in each voting precinct are to be conducted by the registrars, created by the registration act, who are for this purpose called registrars of elections.

At every polling place three voting compartments for each 100 voters shall be constructed; the space containing these and the ballot-box shall be railed off, and no voter shall be allowed within 50 feet of the railing, except when admitted to prepare and cast his ballot. The voter shall then enter one of the compartments, first receiving a ballot from the registrar, who stands 10 feet within the railing, shall place a cross opposite the name of the person voted for, shall fold his ballot before leaving the compartment, so that no one can see his choice, and shall at once deposit it in the ballot-box. A penalty not less

than $10, and not over $100, is imposed on any one who shows his ballot or interferes in any way with another while he is preparing or casting his ballot.

A subsequent act provides that at all November elections there shall be two ballot-boxes for each voting precinct, one for State and one for national officers, to be kept in separate rooms or houses not more than 200 feet apart. Another important act of the session codifies and revises the laws relative to taxation. The features of the former law providing for assessment of a poll tax of one dollar, of a tax on real and personal estate, and of licenses on various occupations were retained, but more stringent duties were imposed on county assessors, in order to secure a full valuation of realty and a more complete assessment of personalty. The county assessors, holding office for four years, are made ineligible for re-election.

The convict lease system is continued by an act authorizing the Governor to lease the Penitentiary and prisoners for six years from January, 1890, at not less than $100,000 per annum, free of expense to the State, for the support of prisoners. The convicts may be worked anywhere in the State, subject to the supervision of the warden and of the State Board of Inspectors. Convicts under eighteen years, and those confined for the less degrading offenses, are to be kept separate from the others.

An act was passed for the suppression of "trusts."

The Sunday laws were amended so as to prohibit the sale of liquor on Sundays, except by druggists upon prescriptions.

The homestead of Andrew Jackson and 25 acres of land around it were conveyed to trustees for the benefit of the Ladies' Hermitage Association, to be held by them so long as the association shall keep them improved and preserved in a state of beauty. The remainder of the Hermitage farm of about 500 acres was conveyed to trustees for twenty-five years, to provide self-supporting homes for disabled Union and Confederate soldiers. The sum of $10,000 was appropriated to keep the farm in order for this purpose.

A State tax of 45 cents on each $100 was imposed for 1889 and each year thereafter, one third of which is to be used for school purposes. A tax of $200 on wholesale liquor dealers and of $150 to $200 on retail dealers is imposed in addition to the regular ad valorem tax on their stock. The Western Hospital for the Insane received an appropriation of $65,000 for its completion. Other acts of the session were as follow:

Punishing by imprisonment from one to five years any person that shoots into or at any railroad train. Adding to the list of legal holidays the 22d of February, Good Friday, Decoration Day, Memorial Day, and all days designated for holding county, State, or national elections throughout the State, and providing that business paper falling due on such days shall be deemed to be due on the last business day preceding. being forbidden by the wife, furnishes to her busPunishing with a fine any liquor dealer who, after band, who is an habitual drunkard, any intoxicating liquor.

Forbidding the consolidation of street-railway companies or of gas or electric-light companies, or of com

sanitariums.

Authorizing railroad corporations to amend their charters so as to enable them to build branch roads. Authorizing the formation of live-stock insurance companies.

Allowing insurance companies to insure against disabilities by disease or sickness.

Permitting a jury trial in all civil cases when either party desires it.

Giving the county courts power to permit and regulate the construction and operation of railroads on the public roads.

Declaring that Tennessee river extends from its junction with Ohio river at Paducah, Ky., to the junc

tion of the north fork of Holston river with the Holston, at Kingsport, Tenn.

Confirming the consolidation of the Mississippi and Tennessee Railroad Company with the Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans Railroad Company.

To prevent interference of any employer with his employés in the selection of their family physician. Providing for a commission to fix, by agreement with the authorities of the State of Georgia, the boundary line between Dade County, Ga., and Marion and Hamilton Counties, Tenn.

Amending and simplifying the tobacco-inspection

laws.

Rearranging the boundaries of the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Congressional Districts, to equalize the population therein.

Creating a State Board of Medical Examiners, and requiring all practitioners of medicine to obtain a certificate therefrom.

Penitentiary. In June, of this year, there were 1,445 prisoners in the Penitentiary-a larger number than ever before appeared on the State prison rolls at one time. Of this number, 583 were at the main prison, in Nashville, 99 at the farm, 123 at Coal creek, 350 at Tracy City, and 290 at Inman. There were 375 white prisoners and 1,070 colored, including 49 women, 5 of whom were white and 44 colored.

In September the proposed lease of convicts for a term of six years from Jan. 1, 1890, was put up at auction, and was bidden in by the Tennessee Coal, Iron, and Railroad Company for $100,000 per annum, the State being relieved from expense of maintenance. This company was the only bidder, and the sum named was the lowest for which the lease could be made under the act.

Militia. The National Guard of the State consists of 2,507 officers and men.

Agriculture. The State Commissioner of Agriculture estimates the acreage of wheat for the year to be 1,280,815 acres, producing a crop of 9,076,356 bushels. The corn crop is estimated at 79,451,730 bushels-nearly 5,000,000 bushels less than in 1888. The cotton crop is mostly grown in the southwestern counties. The total product for the State is estimated at 159,371 bales of 465 pounds net lint each.

Cumberland River Improvement.-A mass meeting of citizens of Tennessee was held in Nashville on Oct. 21 to take such action as might best promote the improvement of Cumberland river by locks and dams. With the object of uniting the efforts of the people of Tennessee and Kentucky, an interstate convention was deemed advisable, and a convention of delegates was called to convene in Nashville on Nov. 20, to which delegates from Kentucky were invited. At this joint convention about 200 delegates were present, representing twelve counties in Tennessee and eight in Kentucky. It organized the Cumberland River Improvement Association, whose executive officers are directed to present to Congress the demands of the convention and to use all proper means to secure legislation for the improvement of navigation in the river. The development of the coal and iron deposits of the Cumberland valley is considered to be dependent upon this improvement.

TEXAS, a Southern State, admitted to the Union in 1845; area, 265,780 square miles; population, according to the last decennial census (1880), 1,591,745; capital, Austin.

Government.-The following were the State officers during the year: Governor, Lawrence S. Ross, Democrat; Lieutenant-Governor, T. B. Wheeler; Secretary of State, J. M. Moore; Treasurer, Frank R. Lubbock; Comptroller, John D. McCall; Attorney-General, James S. Hogg: Superintendent of Public Instruction, Oscar H. Cooper: Commissioner of the General LandOffice, R. M. Hall; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John W. Stayton; Associate Justices, Reuben R. Gaines and John L. Henry; Commissioners of Appeals, Presiding Judge, Walter Acker, Judges, W. E. Collard, Edwin M. Hobby.

Finances.-The following is a statement of the receipts and disbursements of the State treasury for the year ending Aug. 31: Balance on hand, $1,259,126.71; receipts, $1,519,774.90; total, $2,778,901.61; disbursements, $2,272,347.27; transfers adjusting accounts, $78,143.76; total, $2,350,491.03; balance on hand, $428,410.58. From this balance there was a further transfer of $31,506.90 to available school fund after Sept. 1, leaving as the actual balance to the credit of "general revenue," $396,903.68.

The occupation taxes yielded an increase of $42,012.39 over that of the previous year. The reduction of the tax rate on property for 1888 from 25 to 10 cents, thereby greatly diminishing the revenue, has produced the large decrease in the surplus. The valuation of taxable property in the State increased from $681,084,904 in 1888 to $729,175,564 in 1889. The State tax rate for 1889 was 20 cents on each $100.

Legislative Session.-The biennial session of the Legislature began on Jan. 8 and adjourned on April 6. On Jan. 22 United States Senator Richard Coke was re-elected by the unanimous vote of both Houses. The Commission of appeals, established for the relief of the Supreme Court, which would expire on March 31, was made permanent, its members to be appointed by the Governor every two years. Provision was made for retiring such of the State bonds of Aug. 5, 1870, known as the 7-per-cent. frontier defense bonds, as are held by private individuals as soon as they become redeemable

in 1890, the money therefor to be raised by the issue of new 5-per-cent. bonds payable in thirty years. These new bonds shall be sold to the permanent school fund. The Governor is authorized to issue such other bonds as he may see fit, and to sell them to the permanent school fund, whenever there is a balance of $5,000 in cash in such fund. The irrigation and mining laws were revised. Railroads were authorized to provide separate accommodations for passengers of different colors. A branch insane asylum was established in southwest Texas, west of Colorado river, and $150,000 was appropriated for land and buildings. Later in the year this asylum was located at San Antonio, on a large tract given to the State for that purpose. Two amendments to the Constitution were proposed, one authorizing the establishment of a railroad commission, the other extending the limit of county and local taxation. A bill establishing a railroad commission was vetoed. Other acts of the session were as follow:

Admitting companies or associations from other States to carry on life or casualty insurance business on the assessment plan.

To provide for the speedy and efficient enforcement of liens of mechanics, contractors, sub-contractors, builders, laborers, and material men.

amusements.

Designating the Agricultural and Mechanical College as the beneficiary under the act of Congress establishing agricultural experiment stations.

Designating Feb. 22 as "Arbor Day." Requiring all butchers and slaughterers to file a bond conditioned to keep a true record of all cattle purchased or slaughtered, with the marks, brands, age, weight, date of purchase, and the person from whom purchased, and also conditioned that he will have the hide and ears of such animal inspected, within five days after it is slaughtered, by some inspector or county magistrate, and that he will not purchase any slaughtered cattle, unless the hide and ears accompany the animal, with the ears, marks, or brands thereon unchanged.

Creating Coke County and Irion County out of Tom Green County.

Regulating the practice of dentistry. Providing for the creation of a board of arbitration to settle the controversy between the United States and Texas, regarding Green County.

Education. The number of children of school age in 1888-'89 was as follows: In the countieswhite children 334,926, colored children 115.192; in cities and towns (independent districts)white children 70,751, colored children 24,747; total-white children 405,677, colored children 139.939.

Railroads.-The following report for 1889 is made by the State Comptroller: Total mileage, 8,151-70; capital stock, $177,454.284; cost of construction, $346,659,473; bonds outstanding, $233,869.422; coupons overdue, $10.854,564.98; other indebtedness, $18,515,226.93; total indebtedness, $263,239,213.91; total earnings, $28,

207,926.96; operating expenses and repairs, $24,834,533.24; net earnings, $3,373,393.72.

Pensions.-For several years the State has paid annually a pension of $150 to indigent veterans of the war for Texan independence and to the indigent widows of veterans. About 400 names were on the pension list, making the annual outlay about $60,000. The Legislature this year amended the act so as to permit oral evidence to establish pension claims, and this change resulted in the admission of about 100 additional claimants, and in an additional outlay of about $15,000.

The Colored Race.-The following is an extract from an address issued by a State convention of colored men, held at Waco on Aug. 20:

In some counties we are denied the free exercise of

the elective franchise.

We condemn mob violence in all its forms, and we remind our white fellow-citizens there is a point where advise retaliation, we feel that the continuation of forbearance ceases to be a virtue, and while we do not fynch law will eventually lead to this.

progress since emancipation. We now own about The negroes of Texas have made commendable million dollars' worth of property. We have two one million acres of land, and we pay taxes on twenty thousand churches, two thousand Sunday-schools, two thousand benevolent associations, ten high thousand teachers, one hundred and twenty-five thouschools, twenty-five hundred common schools, three sand pupils attending schools, twenty-five lawyers, one hundred merchants, five thousand mechanics, fifteen newspapers, and hundreds of farmers and stock

men.

Labor Convention.-On July 3 a State convention was held at Dallas "for the purpose of perfecting a State organization to further the eight-hour movement, and to do whatever else the convention may in its wisdom deem to be for the best interest of the wage-workers of Texas." An organization, called the "Texas Federation of Labor," was formed, and provision was made for holding annual conventions. The following resolutions embody the demands of the convention :

We favor eight hours as a working day, and demand the passage of a law so declaring.

We favor a single tax, or a tax upon land values, and the repeal of all other taxes whatsoever.

We favor the repeal of the national bank law, and all other class laws.

The only equitable solution of the transportation question is in the Government ownership of the railways, telegraphs, and telephones.

We favor the abolition of the United States Senate ticed; the abolition of the grand jury system, because it and all State senates, because of the corruption pracis used by designing men to crush, ostracize, and persecute in some instances those who oppose existing systems, and the supremacy of either the Democratic or Republican factions, and to the end that our votes may be counted when cast and all corruption and the daninable boodle system be obliterated. tions; the election of all officers by the direct vote of We favor the Australian system of holding electhe people.

We favor all that will secure a lien on the products of labor.

TROUT, NEW SPECIES OF. Since 1880, two species of trout have been discovered in the United States-one in Sunapee Lake, N. H., and one in Colorado. Three foreign varieties have also been added to the list of our permanent Salmonida--the common brown trout of Europe, the German saibling, and the Loch Leven trout from Kinross-shire, Scotland.

Sunapee Lake Trout (Salvelinus Sunapee). -In 1881, a strange trout appeared in Sunapee Lake, N. H., and was at once recognized by the native fishermen as distinct from the brook trout, the only species aboriginal to the Suna

sionally the females are as highly colored as the males. The fins are markedly larger than those of the brook trout; the tail is generally square, sometimes bifurcated. Many specimens are misshapen, and the females not unfrequently fail to cast their eggs at the proper season. The Sunapee trout is known to attain a weight of seven pounds. The presence of this new trout in Sunapee Lake is variously accounted for on the following hypotheses: 1. Descent from some foreign plant, possibly from blue-backed trout introduced into Sunapee in 1878 from Maine, or from other trout of the oquassa type whose eggs

pee system. But it was not until October, 1885, when ex-Commissioner Powers demonstrated to the acting fish commissioner that the new fish were not brook trout, that specimens were sent to the Smithsonian Institution, where the Curator of Fishes pronounced the trout a Salvelinus of the oquassa or blue-backed type, but of such enormous size that at first he did not suspect its relation to that species. Prof. Baird inclined to the same opinion, and its close connection with certain genera native to Greenland and Labrador was freely discussed. The distinguishing features of the Sunapee trout are the conspicuous development of teeth on the hyoid bone, and the absence of mottling on the back and fins. In summer the fish is silvery, and hence it is known as the white trout; but as the spawning season approaches it is metamorphosed into the most brilliant-hued of all our fresh-water fishes, the coloration varying from a dead-luster cream tint or delicate olive in the females to a dazzling

or fry may have become mingled with those of the land-locked salmon intended for this lake, the plants beginning in 1867. 2. Aboriginality, coupled with escape of notice for at least one hundred and fifty years, until the Hon. Ransom F. Sargent, in 1881, and ex-Commissioner Powers, in 1885, pronounced the fish a representative of a new and distinct species. Failure to attract attention before this time has been explained on theories too absurd for serious consideration. 3. Hybridism. Of late years the waters of Sunapee have been drawn so low in the autumn by mill-owners on the effluent that the various species of Salmonidæ, native and exotic, have been forced to spawn in the open lake, ascent of brooks being impossible. Accidental conjunction between the landlocked salmon and the brook trout, or between the brook trout and the nearly related white fish (a salmonoid introduced into the lake as early as 1870, and successfully crossed with the Salvelinus fontinalis by Seth Green) may thus have

Its elongate body is profusely speckled, back of the first dorsal, with "small pepper-like spots," which are usually absent from the long, compressed head. The scales are small and regular, there are teeth on the hyoid, and the tail is moderately forked. The yellow-fin trout attains a weight of from seven to ten pounds, and spawns in spring, principally in the lake, leaving its eggs to be devoured by suckers, which swarm on the beds. Its flesh has a fine flavor, but is pale and watery, as its chief diet is fish; while the flesh of the green-back trout, which feeds on crustacea, is a brilliant red.

Imported Trout.-There have been importations of Loch Leven trout from Howietoun Fishery, Stirling, Scotland. The first purchase of this famous British salmonoid, which is peculiar to Loch Leven, Kinross-shire, was effected in June, 1886, by Prof. John D. Quackenbos, of CoJumbia College, who visited both the lake and Howietoun to make a special study of the fish. Prof. Quackenbos arranged for the shipment of 30,000 eyed ova to New York, received them on their arrival, and sent them to New Hampshire, where they were successfully hatched and planted in Sunapee Lake. The importer has since enjoyed the satisfaction of taking some of the

TRUST, a combination of manufacturers or producers, formed originally for the sake of carrying on business more economically, but latterly more for the purpose of shutting off opposition altogether, and so capable of great abuse.

In New York.-Abuses of this nature appeared to reach their danger limit sooner in New York than in any other State on account of its great commercial importance. They meet with opposition in the Legislature and are often stopped by legislative enactment before they have had an opportunity to develop in other States. Hence an outline of the way that New York deals with such matters will usually stand for the whole country, although other States have not been inactive. The Legislature of New York early in 1888 had its attention attracted to the abuse of trusts, and it was resolved to investigate certain combinations covering sugar, milk, rubber, cotton, envelopes, elevators, oil-cloths, oil, meat, glass, and furniture. Especial attention was paid to the sugar, milk, cotton-seed, and oil trusts, on account of their extensive operations and the aggregate of capital they represented. As a reason for undertaking the investigation it was declared that the effect of all such combinations upon the public was this: