The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-10-01

Letter from General Reynolds to the
President-A Reliable Account of
the Political Situation. J: Ham.
iltOn Gone over TO the Democrats.


The following letter to the Presi-
dent from Brevet Major General j u,
Reynolds, commanding the Fifth Mill
tary District, is made public with the
consent of the President. who was
authorized by General Reynolds TO
make such use of it as he saw fit:
HID. QRs. FIFTH MILITARY DISTRICT, I
STATE OF TEXAS, Sept. 4, 1869. "a
To the President of the United States.
Personal No. q
MY DEAR GENERAL: After your
Summer. recreation, / have determin-
ed to add to your Fall labors few
words on the political situation in
Texas. 10 go
You will remember that about the
4th of March last there were present
in Washington two delegations of
Texans, both claiming 60 bo rapra-
sentatives of the Republican party of
Texas. One of these delegations,
headed by General IL. j. Davis, was
appointed by the Constitutional Con-
vention; the other delegation, headed
by General A. j. Hamilton, was self
appointed. Pursuing the policy which
l had decided upon in October, 1864,
upon my arrival In Austin, of always
endeavoring to produce harmony
among all classes of Republicans, L
declined to permit myself to be iden-
tilted specifically with either faction,
but frankly told their leaders (E. j.
Davis and A. j. Hamilton) that /
would recommend for Office men of
both factions, who, l was satisfied,
would make good officers. The Fed
eral appointments were pretty evenly
IL divided between the two factions.
much to my qualification, as / still
hoped to see harmony brought about.
The Radicals (E. j. Davis wing)
charged, while in Washington, that
the Conservative Republicans "a. j.
Hamilton wing had entered into a
coalition with the Democrats of the
State to support A. ]. Hamilton for
Governor, and, in turn, to be permit
ted by him, if elected, to exert their
influence with the new State Govern
ment. / then offered to denounee
this coalition to you on the production
of satisfactory evidence that it e47
listed. The evidence was not pro-
duced. [ said nothing on the subject.
returned to Texas, and l have en-
deavored to keep myself we'll informed
on all questions of public interest,
and especially those affecting the re-
construction Of the State. -
[ travelled from New Orleans to
Galveston with Judge j. III. Bell,
who is one of the leading men In the
A. j. Hamilton faction. He is an
ex- Confederate judge. In converse
ton about Texas politics urged upon
Judge Bell that all Republicans
should attend the convention that had
been called by the Radicals to meet at
Galveston on the 10th of May, and
there to harmonic, bring out their
candidates, and cement the party IN
the State. He emphatically opposed
such action. The same course Of con-
duet was pursued by A. j. Hamilton,
Gov. Pease, Colonel Haynes, and all
the leading men of that wing. ~
The convention met at Galveston
on the 10th of May, and, without
transacting much business, adjourned
| to meet in Houston on the 7th of
June. $500
At this last convention K. j. Davis
was nominated for Governor. a. j.
Hamilton, Pease, Bell, Haynes, Lang
ley, and many other Conservative Re-
publicans were IN Houston ct this
time, but took no part In the proceed
ings of the convention. y .55l
1 am assured by paFtiesin whom
place reliance that overtUres were
made at this convention by the Rad
ieals and rejected by the Conserva-
tiyes.
| A ticket with Al. Hamilton foI
Governor and e. j. Davis for Lieu.
tenant Governor might have been
nominated then and there, aud won Id
have produced harmony in the Re-
publican party, but for the persisteni
opposition of the A. j. Hamilton
| Conservative faction.
This convention might have been
larger. or another one held, but fol
the same opposition; and to-day the
only organized Republican party in
Texas is that headed by E. J. Davis
The Conservative faction bav'
/ opposed all organized concert o.
action In the Republican party. 1t Ii
believed that the reason for Thu;
action is found in the fact tina
although the Democrats will no
openly affiliate with the Conservative
, Republicans, many Democratic paper
advocate the election of A. j. Hamil
| ton for Governor. Some of then
place his name at the head of theil
papers; others do not announce hi
name, but support him. The Con.
servatiYe Republicans, who pretend