The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-10-14
THIRTIETH DAY.


AUSTIN, October 8, 1875.
Convention met at 8 A. NJ.
1lr. Martin, of Navarro, rose to ques-
tion of privilege. he regretted that, on
the previous morning, remarks had been
thought necessary TO be made respecting
the STATESMAN. He liked to see a bold in
dependent press, but not an impudent one.
1t now contained a direct charge, aud
named gentlemen of the highest character,
calling on them to substantiate its asser-
tons. He was Granger and so were his
two colleagues from the Ninth District,
and if anyone asserted, that he, or either
of them had entered into compact with
the minority, he had most foully lied.
He then introduced the following reso-
luton:
Res0LUed, That the President appoint a
special committee of seven, to inquire into
the direct charges of the DEMOCRATIC
STATESMAN, that all the Changers, except
nine, of this Convention, have formed an
alliance with the negroes and Radicals of
this Convention; and that the vote upon
the suffrage question was the result OF said
alliance; and that no member of the Grange
or Radical party be appointed upon said
committee.
| Mr.. Chambers soli, as far he was
concerned, he denied the charge, and felt
called upon to do SO, because he had intro
duced the amendent that led to the debate.
The Grange is not political institution,
but had members in it belonging to both the
great political parties of the country. Who
then assumed that they could be led 10y any
Ajax on this floor in any directions He did
not know who were and who were not
Changers on the floor of this Convention.
Mr.. Whitfield said he had but few re-
marks to make. One day, about week
since, he had conversation with Gen. R s.
and was told that q gentleman had pro-
posed to Mr. Russell of Harrison (who Is a
Republican), that if he, Russell, would
give him thirteeA Republican votes to con-
troll the suffrage matter, he would give him
enough votes TO control other matters that
might come before the Convention. He
CWhitfeld) became mad, good mad, when he
heard it. When he had first heard of this
Conversations he had threatened to. de-
nounce it on the floor of this Convention,
but he was over persuaded not to do 1t, be-
ing told that Mr.. johnson of Collin was
only joking, but he must, say 1t was very
serious. The remarks in the STATESMAN
were utterly uncalled for. Gle here read an
extract from the STATESMAN, in which it
was said that "Gen. Whitfield had risen the
day before with mock, heroic solemnity to
say he knew nothing of the alleged COM
bination.'O Mock solemnityr' that was
good, and if any one thought that he. IN
dulged in mock herOism, let them try him;
that he always held himself personally re-
sponsible for all be said.
Mr.. Ross said, to bring the matter at once
before the body, he would state precisely
what he knew of the matter. He at
~ hrf
would call OIL Mr.. johnson of Collin to eX-
plain. He considered the remarks that
were made were thoughtless and in
considerate; and was calculated to do
great inju. tice to the. Changers, who
were worthy body of men. AS
TO the STATESMAN, , all he had to say
was, that while he recognized the full scope
and tenor of u public journal to eriticise
public men or their actions, but when 1t
seized upon a convention and proceeded to
criticise worthy men on this floor, itexceed-
ed its mis.ion. He could not see that such
was the mission of Democratic paper,s to
interrupt the work of this Convention, and
array gentlemen against each other on this
floor, and create sentiment adverse to pub
lie interest.
Mr.. Reagan said as he had been
made a witness on the stand, he would
have to testify. He read extracts from the
STATESMAN, and then explained that yester-
day morning, as he was walking in the rear
of the Capitol, he passed several gentleman,
among them Mr.. Nugent, Mr.. Whitfield and
others. A representative of one OF the pa
pers in this city was present, and a1conyer-
sation was going on in reference TO wnat
had been charged in the STATESMAN some
one said that Gen. Ross had stated
- IL aodn ha.
tween the Changers and Republicans to
carry certain measures. He (Mr. Reagan)
then said, if such bargain had been made,
that the dignity of the Convention had
been degraded, aud in duty to the country
it ought to be denounced and exposed. He
did not say that the bargain had been made
He denied that any one had the right to
transer the Changers, and sell them as he
pleased. He would now say what he had
not said before on this floor, and what but
few knew, that he was Granger himself.
He could not deny that an impression had
been produced derogatory to the Conven-
ton, and that there was some ground for
the position assumed by the STATESMAN;
as it had been said in the presence of one
OF the editors of that paper, that u
coalition had been formed between the
grangers and Republicans.
Brother johnson of Franklin considered
the abuse of the STATESMAN as an advantage
TO public man.
Mr.. johnson of Collin said he supposed
| he had been the cause of all this trouble by
a iocular remark, made in the presence OF
so men. 1t was all a joke, and nothing
was meant by It. The STATESMAN had first
set out, during the canvass, that thele
should be no politics in the Convention.
When he came here the Republicans seemed
friendly, and he did not feel disposed Il
kick them out. As he walked down the
aisle the other day, Brother Flanagan came
after him, and he jokingly remarked to him
.sYou had bette: not follow me-" wher
some pleasant remarks ensued. There Wal
a power behind the throne" in all this, anC
il is because we clam to represent the pee
pie and not 10 build up = few broken ,dowr
editors.
Mr.. Cook of Gonzales announced
himself as Granger and defended
the organization. He said that he haG
always fought political organizations, anS
would not belong to the order of Granger
il it was one. He did not deny that polit
iticians had joined the order for self promo
i lion. but they would be deceived. When