The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-28
T E X A S
Condition Of Affairs Under the Reconstruction
Acts-Thc Radical Governor and His Ope-
Observation-Disclosures from the Military.


BROWNSVILLE, May Is, 1871.
II ia an old and well tried saying that ''when
rogues fall out honest men get their due" An 0p-
portuniy for testing the rule at present afforded
IN this State as the rogues OF the political arena,
headed by Reynolds, Davis, Hamilton and Others.
are performing their part and pitching into each
other with all the vlgor and effect OF the traditional
Kilkenny cats Az In the other Southern States,
IN tis the effect Of reconstruction has been to take
the public interest out OF the hands OF those who
from intelligence and property have o stake In the
country and turn II over to lot OF irresponsible
vagabonds, who obtain position by consortng with
their cOngenial spirits, the idle, dissolute
negroes and by pandering to their worst instincts,
and whose only OBJECT Is to make hay while the
sun snines,' knowing that they must soon be repu-
dated by an outraged people. This Is not the place
nor Is 1t my province to write the history oil recon-
struction In Its effects upon the interests OF the
States. That Is work for the future, and when the
passions ana prejudces Of the hour have died away
That 1t Will be written is certain and the world Will
then stand appalled, that such infamies should have
been perpetrated IN country claiming to be the
ireest and most enlightened under the sun, and by
party arrogating to itself the intelligence and moral
ity OF the republic.
My object rather Is to show the condition OF the
radical party in the STATE the differences existing
expulsion from power-a contamination desired by
every good man acquainted with the sltua-
ton here. To this end sketch OF affairs
since the election OF the Legislature under
the reconstruction laws in 1859 IS necessary.
The Legislature came together In November
OF that year for the purpose OF ratfying the amend
menus to the national constitution and the election
OF United States Senator'S. Some legislation fol.
lowed, but OF this 1t Is not requisite to speak, There
were elected to the Senate-Morgan @. Hamilton,
for the unexpired term, ending March 4, 1871 aud
for the succeeding term ending In 1877, and J. w.
Flanagan Tor the term ending in 1874 State officers
were also chosen in the November election men,
toned The candidates for Governor were A. J.
Hamilton, representing the more liberal republl-
cans and who favored the removal Of political dis
abilities, and Edmund J. Davis, holding extreme
radical ideas. AS In the Missouri election 30 10 this
the administration Of the "Hero President" saw 1T
to interfere. Davis was declared Its candidate, and
oil the influence OF federal patronage and military
rule was brought to bear IN his favor In the
order OF General Reynolds, commanding the de-
partment, calling the election, was clause
preventing the placing OF any member on
the tickets, as had been the custom, thus
rendering the discovery Of any frauds impossible
and, though it is scarcely denied that Hamilton OBJ
tanned the majority Of votes, the ballot boxes were
Instances OF the most glaring fraud were known
but nothing could be done against the military CON-
mander, backed by the administration and Davis
took his seat This, however, not by virtue OF his
election, as under the reconstruction laws this was
OF no avail until the Legislature had Obeyed the
tiona amendments. but by appointment from Rey-
nolds as Provisional Governor. Not so with those
elected to the various positions throughout the State
Unless in entire accordance with DAVIS they were
refused possession OF the offices to which they had
been chosen, and not only tins but those holding
out, unless belonging to the extreme radical Sec
ton.
Soon after Davis had assumed possession OF the
Gubernatonal chair the Legislature passed what is
known as the enabling act" by which, in most
palpable violation OF the constitution OF the State
and Of the United States, the Governor was author
lied TO appoint every officer throughout the State
whether OF state, county. city or ward. Judges
GERS, from Secretary OF State to the lowest Official
hold their places by appointment from the Cover
nor. AT the same time State police organization
was constituted, the members appointed by DAVIS
and authorized to enter any gentlemans domlcile
without any writ or warrant OF law, overrun his pre-
mses and carry HIM or to jail on their own motion
ana at their own discretion. AS the wealth and in
of the democracy or liberal republicans Davis
has found his supporters among the very worst
Class OF S t ana
men associate on terms OF social equality with the
vaga6ond negroes are without character or means
Those appointed to positions where bonds are re-
quired scarcely ever able to find them; but this
Is no bar to the exercise OF their Official functions
In which they are upheld by Davis. or the eighty
ninety sherins In the State not than are
properly qualified; while II at any time IT Is de-
sirous to get any of Office he Is required to
sign bond after bond. with sufficient security, until
he is finally compelled to succumb and his place is
filled by creature of the Governor Ine Sheriff of
this county tCameron) has already furnished bonds
to the amount OF $4,000 and more are coming.
he is liberal republican, and mis- place Is wanted.
AS this legislative body soon came to be stink in
the nostrlis or every decent man In the State and
to follow precedent well established across the
Rio Grande, and so passed the law extending their
s Of ONCE nice for for aSus one the
book. The theory upon which the Legislature
acted was that It was not the body contemplated
by the constitution ana the law until the State
was fully admitted under the reconstruction act and
that previous thereto 1t was acting In provisional
character. However ridiculous TINS theory might
be- 1t was supposed, and correctly, That the admin
straton or Grant would In no way interfere ana the
Would ana pc without possibility o. mr.
game" other elements were entering into the poili
cal situation. At the time OF the Senatorial election
was in entire accord with the Davis wing OF
tine party. But a difference soon arose between
Governor and his desire to control the federal
patronage OF the STATE and IL was determined to get
rid Of mm As according to the theory above re.
the time OF hts election FOR the term commencing In
1871 was not qualified to elect him, and his seat
was declared vacant ana General Reynolds chosen
TO succeed him. That gallant warrior fortified with
his credentials, proceeded washington expo citing
TO occupy the scat once filled by Houston and
RusK. The result Is known. The senate committee
unanimously reported In favor OF Hamilton's right
to his place and Reynolds was ordered back to the
State, where, for more than three years. he has
dragged his uniform through the filth Of Southern
politics. lost his once high reputation and now fur
nishes melancholy example or the decentralization
which has come over those OF our Old army officers
who allowed themselves to do the dirty work OF base
and designing politicians.
AS DAVIS was and is satisfied OF his entire ability
to govern the State and appoint every official Of
Whatever rank or character. without any resort to
the ballot box ana Us he is certain TO be repudiated
BY the people upon the first opportunity, he has
FUSED 10 cal any election, and so the people are de-
barred entirely from the right OF self-government.
IL was expected that the members of Congress
would mold over, as the Legislature proposed to- so
no provision was made for their election In time for
the present session, and Texas unrepresented In
the popular branch or the national legislature.
Under the Old government, which was republican
In It's form, an election. in which the people decided
who their officers should be, took place I'm August
and the law IN reference thereto Is still unrepeac.
As yet, however, no steps have been taken IN the