The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-11-20
DAVIS REGULATES EVERYTHING
BUT HIS OWN SALARY.-LET GER
MANS READ.

We have published the record showing
that honest Iago" Davis drew his salary
as Judge of Texas after he had repudiated
its government, was doing no service, and
in fact, had lett the State. This of itself
was bad enough, but taken in connection
with his conduct in the Constitutional Con-
vention, held Immediately after the war
under the first Johnson reconstruction, it
presents case Of selfshness and injustice,
calling for the severest condemnation.
Governor Davis was a member of this first
Convention, which met at Austin on the
seventh February, 1866. he probably ar
rived home on the fourth of that month, as
on the fifth we find by the record published,
that he presented his account for $3S93 80,
which was approved by the Military Cover
nor, A. ]. Hamilton, on the sixth, and it is
presumable that he drew the money on the
same day; the day before the meet
ing of the Convention. Having thus
obtained this large sum for services he never
rendered, he proceeded in the convention
Co support a proposition to repudiate the
whole Confederate debt, war and CIVIL
which was finally carried by his aid, thus
cutting off payment for services really and
faithfully performed by other judges as well
as many private citizens for the public good.
Among the many honest debts, thus repu-
dated, were many for keeping up the va
rious benevolent institutions of the State,
such as the Lunatic, the Blind and the Deaf
and Dumb Assylums. We make no question
of the reputation of the State war debt,
but there was no just ground for the repudi-
alton Of the civil debt as We conceive. The
decisions of the United States Supreme
Court admit that there was dc .faetO gov
eminent existing in Texas, that such gov
eminent was necessary for the protection
of society, and all its civil obligations
should have been faithfully discharged.
And more especially all debts contracted for
keeping up and. carrying on the benevolent
institutions OF the State and repairing and
preserving the public buildings. Great in
justice was done to many honest, hard
working, private individuals by this favor
ito scheme Of Governor Davis and his a5
initio associates. We will mention but a
single case out of many, to which we wish
to call the particular attention of our Ger
man friends. There was in this city poor
but intelligent Germanby the name of Sum
mers, the father Of most interesting fam
lily, still living in Austin. Although in del
icate health, being threatened with con-
sumption, he performed much labor on the
Land Office in the way Of repairs, or i'm
provements, and by this act Of Republication,
sanctioned by Governor Davis, he was cui
of from any pay for his services ant
all his hard labors were in vain. de dice
shortly after, leaving the widow and orphans
to struggle on as they could in this cold anC
unchaIitable world. We wish our reader
to reflect seriously on this, and the German
supporters Of Governor Davis particularly
There was Governor Davis, fastening t.
procure his pay for services never rendered
through the instrumentality Of the AIilitar
Governor, Jack Hamilton, only a day o
two before the meeting of the Convention
and then taking his seat in that body ant
voting for cutting off everybody else VIII
had performed services, including poo
Summers and Others, perhaps equally meEi
torious. How can any German or othe
foreigner, or any American. or any homes
man vote for Governor Davis with such
recorll The selfish, grasping, unprinci
pied wretch, who could secure his own in
proper pay, and then vote to exclude a
others from a fair compensation for the
actual services, rendered for the good {
the State. And yet they have the face
call this man honest.