The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-06-18

I - " hAch 70 nOl4 II WIS one u cAPH
diency, one worthy of serious considers
ton, and involving many of the best IN
terests Of the State, and per consequences Of
the party. Pending the discussion Of the
question Of convention or a commission,
which occupied the time and ability Of
both the Legislature and the Democratic
press Of the State, the question of time was
left in allegiance or was rather swallowed up
by the other question"
We have already stated why the whole
article was not given. That part was pub
lished which related to the question, as we
understood it, and there was no intention to
''garble." II the Ags viii point out the in
justice, the amends. shall be made. But
that paper admits that it was andi in favor
of convention, that it ''was a part and
parcel of the Anstin platform, and has al
ways been considered by the Age as sacred
and binding upon the party. Exactly 50.
Therefore We thought that the Age did in
justice to the gentleman, even If he did
favor an immediate call, because he had a
right to place his own construction upon
that clause in the platform. But now we
come TO the bog into which the Agesanlk and
was unable to make another effort for the
time being.
Although in favor Of convention, that
paper says, pending the discussion of a
convention or acommission, which occupied
the time and ability of both the Legislature
and the Democratic press of the State, the
question of time was left il abeyance, or
was rather swallowed up by the other ques-
ton" The above is very vague; for if we
analyze it, it amounts to about this: There
were two propositions-the one was for call
ing a convention, the other for commits
sion; but the time for holding the conven-
tion was not named neither was the time
stated for commission to sit. Therefore,
time was left in abeyance or swallowed up
by the other question. But those papers
and parties who favored convention de-
sired that it should be called at an
early day. There were several propositions.
Tho number of delegates to be elected and
the time when the convention should Sit
but all who favored it urged an early day.
Judge Ireland advocated vote on the
question, blythe people at the Congressional
election IN November, as to whether con-
yention should be called, which was voted
down by the Senate.
Did the question of commission bother
the Age so much that it could not decide
then when a convention should be called9
1t would seem so from the above. But
now that paper holds the following posi-
ton:
We reiterate what we said IN the above
extract from the Age, but now we say the
question of speedy calling of constitu-
tional convention by the Legislature when
it meets in January, is one of paramount
Importance to all others. 1t is pledge the
party must redeem, and it is pledge we
are glad it made. The best interests of
Texas demand new constitution. The
one we have is inadequate to the wants and
wishes of the times, and unequal to the
political emergencies already upon US, and
about to be thurst upon US.
We think that we can show that the Age
did not come up to the requirements of its
name, if it did not urge the calling of the
convention before the meeting of the Legis-
lature IN January next. What has been the
effect of the vacillating policy Of the Legis-
lature9 It has added the very large costs
which were incurred in the address cases of
judges, and the cost to the State in the
time consumed by the Legislature in at
tempting to redistrict the State so as to re-
duce the number of judges and get rid of
incompetent and unworthy ones. Now
the cost of a convention will have to be
added. This was nice economy. Again
we copy from the Age.
''If our recollection does not mislead us,
the STATESMAN was ominously silent on the
whole question during the strife between the
convention and the commission, waiting
doubtless to see which way the cat would
jump, as it is now ominously on the
National Democracy question"
There you are at fault again. TheSTATEs-
MAN openly and warmly advocated the inn
mediate calling of convention; and for SO
doing was denounced by some of the mem
bers of the Legislature The STATESMAN
continued to do so, until the Senate killed
the bill. Then, not wishing to throw fire.
brand into the party, it desisted, as no good
could be accomplished by urging it. Our
files are opento inspection. 1t will be seen
that we not only advocated it ourself, but
gave articles from other papers urging the
call. So it win be seen that If the Age
waited to see (which way the cat would
jump" the STATESMAN did not. Again.
the Age asks I'll.
Has the STATESMAN an opinion on this
question, an honest, square-toed opinion,
based upon its conscientious judgment and
conception Of the principles of Democracy,
or as it waiting, spy glass in hand, scanning
the horizon all around, that it may turn its
sails to the popular breeze =
And hasn't the STATESMAN always been one
of the hired laborers Let us hear from
the STATESMAN on the National Democracy
question.
The Age has been fully answered on the
subject Of a convention.
The STATESMAN has not been, neither Is it
now, one Of the papers which sells its col
umns and principles for money. We al
ways announce our opinions boldly, but
never urge them when we see that nothing
but discord viii follow.
We take the position that National De-
mocracy Is minonler;, that it is contrary
to the genius Of our Constitution and GOV
eminent. The States being sovereign and
entitled to representation, the Democracy
can only set with party which acknowl-
edges State rights. Therefore a cOnTen-
ton formed by delegates from the different
States cannot bind the States to the support
Of the platform unless it meets their appro-
baton. But when sound principles are an
nounced, then it Is the duty of every true
Democrat to support them and frown down
every caphous objection.
The Austin STATESMAN asks. ssyVhat Of
the Futureln and discusses the third term
question in REGARD to Grant