New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-08-28
Letters from Texas.
Houston, TEXAS, Aug. =,

HoTsToN, TEXAS, Aug. =, 1873.
= o.. Er',r, ~ ~ N7S Natjonal Era oad Caisen
Your correspondent, "Galvestonian," OBJ
iec,s TO my exposure Of Ochltrec, and also
10 nv dcnunciation Of Senator Flanagan.
and gives reasons therefor which in ordinary
cases | would commend. But desperate
cases require desperate measures, and so
long as Och.trec continues to hold his posi-
ton in opposition to the masses OF the Repub-
lean party Of Texas, and so long as Senator
Flanagan continues 10 support him, so long
vii. | continue to expose his character until
the President Qor very shame) will be COM
D,gei 10 remove him. In this letter intend
~ urove that Ochltrcc is IN intent murderer.
and j. consequently ineligible TO hold office,
Tor he cauno, take the required oath without
reruring himself.
"Galyestonian" SAWS that "Senator Flan-
agan did mt recommend Ochiltree for ap-
pJintment." will not contradict him on
that point, but Flanagan supported him after
he Wa appointed, which amounts to the same
thing. | emphatically repeat my former as
-ertion that any RepublicanIwho would coun-
tenancc or support Ochiltree is an "unprin-
c.pled scoundrcl," who does more injury to
the Republican cause in Texas than all other
abuses combined.
\ Texan hates the very name of .'Repub-
l!cani,m," for it seems that the worst char
acters and most unpopular men are chosen
foT our Federal officers. Ochiltree. Clark.
Patton, and Whittlesey are hated by all
withon, regard to color or politics, and could
not be ''.rtci to any position. The course that
the Administration chooses to take in regard
to our Federal officers is running our pros
poets OF ever becoming the dominant power
o! the state, and disgusts the masses of our
party, who have been doing all the work
While ring" OF outsiders receive the fat
Offices. Not only are the members of this
ring unpopular with the masses through
want of confidence in their integrity, but
proofs Of corruption can be produced against
them.
As ion the counter attack made on Gov.
Davis by the ring" leave il to time to
prove their charges to be a "pack of lies,n
When the convention meets in Dallas on the
18th OF this month Governor Davis will be
endorsed almost unanimously, and his enc
mics will hide their heads in shame and
chagrin. | said that l would prove Ochiltree
to be in infant a murderer, and am ready to
produce my witnesses whenever / am called
upon. was present when he made cow
ardly attempt to murder Fitzgerald and am
satisfied that he walked away under the inn
preston that the man would die. The affair
occurred shortly before reconstruction, at
time when the laws were very loosely admin
istered, and that is the only reason that
can give for his not receiving his Just dues in
the penltentiary. The facts of the case
clearly show the disposition Of the man.
The taking of a human life is an awful thing
under any circumstance, but the attempt,
detailed as follows, shows Ochiltree TO be a
most depraved brute, who would not hcsi-
tate to commit any crime, and who is unfit
to he at large in civilized country, much
less to hold position of trust:
I'm December, 1868, in Galveston, Ochil-
tree and Fitzgerald had slight quarrel,
which was afterwards Gas supposedly AMIGA
bly, settled, and all parties adjourned to the
Imperial Saloon to take a drink and make
friends. While standing at the bar waiting
ior the drinks Ochiltrec, without any warn
ing, deliberately drew a knife and made a
murderous onslaught on Fitzgerald, who,
unarmed and taken by surprise, was unable
TO save himself. The latter received an ugly
wound in the side which for several DAYS
was considered fatal; he, however, recoy-
cred, and still resides in Galveston. He is
ready to testify to the facts at any time.
ochiltree was not punished for his crime by
those in authority, and Fitzgerald thought it
best to let him alone, for he knew that he
would be liable to get the worst of 1t if he
appealed for Justice against his 'would-be
murderer"
Alter my first letter was published, Ochil-
Tree made the remark that he would "shoot
Inc on sight," &C., &c. He was SO wrathy
that he became bold, and gave out that he
was going to demolish me. His spirit was
willing, but his flesh was weak. | do not
consider myself to be in any danger he is
too much of coward to attack me openly
if he got good chance he might cut or shoot
me an the dark but, as intend TO show him
bold front, there is a good prospect of Your
correspondent living to a good patriarchal
age. CARLOS.
The Political Position In Texas