The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-10-19
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
second (Adjourncd) Session.


the past three days. In the House
the time has been consumed in con-
sideration Of the resolution of Mr..
Slaughter, to endorse the action of
the Governor in proclaimjng martial
law, and giving him discretionary
powers in future. Much tine mas
been consumed in skirmishing for
time by the opposition. The Ad-
ministration has not 4 single parlia-
mentarian on the floor of the House.
Hot only have they no parliamenta-
rian, but they have no organizer, no
leader, and not man who can claim
the smallest remnant of Cicero's Or
Demostheme's cloak. Not only has
the Administration no orators, but
they are cursed with fux of petty
speech makers, all of whom suppose
they have perpetual lease of the
floor, and each of whom have a
diarrhea of words, and a constipation
of ideas that contrast most wfetched>
" with the Administration party at
the first session.
Mr.. Slaughter favors the idea of
delegating the entire power of the
Legislature to His Excellency, E. J.
Davis; abused General Reynolds and
all who differed with him.
c. D. Morris spoke-so did Dor
ris-while Abbot, of Austin was sus-
tanned by Duprey, and all four of the
speakers were Of the same tenor and
equal ability and force, summed up
thusly: Sustain Davis.
|. Ii. Evans made an sensible and
most eloquent speech; he was willing
to sustain Davis, when Davis had sub
mitted to the House, evidence sufh-
cient to convince his judgement that
martial law was needed He con-
sidcred martial Law the denier resort,
and not to be proclaimed in the NOS
ment of disappointment and passion.
Civil war and bloodshed had resulted
from less causes than this; feelings
we're excited when the times we're
critical; and called for cool, calm
deliberation.
Mclean and Schultze sustained
the views Of Evans in able speeches.
Plumley, of Galveston, took higher
grounds than any of them. Those
who proceeded him we're willing to
endorse the acts OF Davis, provided
martial law was needed. He, Plum
ley, was not. When the Legislature
was in session, they, and they only,
could proclaim martial law. lie
would condemn the acts Of Davis
and then if martial law was needed,
he would be one to vote for the
Legislature to proclaim it. He would
not support Davis as a party meas,
ure. "Governors die; parties were
disintigrated and dissipated; but
men and principles live forever. B"
SPEECH OF Mr.. PLUMLEY.
"Mr. Speaker-There are issues
in the lives of men and of parties
that must be met. This is ono OF
them. 1 shall vote against the Gov,
errors proclamation of martial law,
because 1 think itillegal. l am not
influenced so much by the consider
ations that effect the gentleman from
BastrOp, nor by the news that in
huence many other gentlemen on the
floor in opposition to this measure;
nor am l to be deferred from the ex-
preston Of my opinion against the
proclamation by the cry Of having
gone to the Democrats; BY the cold
shoulder or hard words, or the indig.
nation of Republicans. I shall
manifest no acrimony, because [ feel
none. Not all the Republicans in
this State, with all the Democrats
added, can make me a whit less Re-
publican than l am. 1t is because
1 am a Republican that 1 shall vote
against the proclamation. I regard
it as destructive to the party, and
subversive Of the Constitution and
Of the liberties Of the people. The
Governor bas made a mistake. I
think it was simply mistake, and
not an intentional wrong. But
when it is attempted to compel me,
under party lashing, to endorse and
ratify the error, it becomes doubly a
wrong.
"The gentleman from Marion
asks NE if my county went for the
Republicans. Isay no. My county
increased It's Democratic majority
from 100 two years ago 10 2000
now. Its increased majorities were
made by just such measures as my
friend, the gentleman from Marion,
insists upon enforcing, and by Just
such illegal and irregular declara>
lions of martial law as we are now
considering. The gentleman says
that martial law was declared in
Walker county during the session Of
the Legislature and without its special
authorization. 1 know that; but it
was wrong, and l do not propose to
repeat the wrong. 1t IS no argu.
ment that because We did wrong once
we shall Go it again. During the
discussion two years ago upon the
bill that authorized the Governor to
declare martial law, it vas distinctly
stated on this floor that the law did
not pretend to allow the Governor
to supersedo the Legislature IN
the matter of martial law when the
Legislature was in session. He must
submit the matter to the Legislature,
and it must authorize him to act.
That is the point. Mr.. Speaker
We were in session, and a majority
of US remained here expressly to be
ready to aid the Governor if the ne
cessity should arise. The necessity
did arise, and the Governor pro-
claimed martial law, without so much
as notifying the quorum that was