National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-05-06

Coke, who wrote to Dursnt and Merrick
that he was anxious to, realize, aud thought
an addition of some Texans 10 their force
would aid in pressing things" If 1t would
not cost too much, but disclaimed the de-
sire to abrogate their contract made by his
predecessor. He proposed the law firm Of
j. D. & d. c. Giddings as coadjutors.
Durant and Merrick made no objection,
provided itdid not interfere with their pay,
and Mr.. Durant even went 80 far as to
offer to withdraw from the case If the Gov
ernor desi.ed it. But this he would not
allow, and reiterated his approval in
behalf of the state of the Davis con-
tract. So the case went on as before.
The Supreme Court rendered decision
against John Chiles, claimant of the
bonds as against the State, which let out
three hundred of the bonds (S300, 00O)
which were held by banking firm in
London, by removing the only objection
which that firm had made to their delivery
to the State. A certified copy of the judg-
ment and necessary papers were procured,
and it was arranged that Messrs. Merrick
and D. C. Giddings should proceed in COM
pany to London if the business could not
be transacted in New York, and obtain a
settlement and the bonds. Mr.. d. c. Gid
dings. however, having obtained possession
of the papers during the absence of Mr..
Merrick from the city, quietly slipped of
to New York and engaged passage to Eu-
rope, notifying Merrick by letter, when too
late for the latter to join him, Of the date
when he would sail. He proceeded on his
mission, secured the funds and made re-
turns to the Governor Of Texas, who paid
him the fee 1881, 0O0) which had been con-
tracted to Messrs. Durant and Merrick, and
sent to the latter firm only $1,000.
This conduct was not SO pleasing to
Messrs. Durant and Merrick, as a more
honest, manly and upright course would
have been, but they did not fly into pas
sion, and forget professional courtesy and
60 before the Judiciary Committee Of the
House and ask the impeachment of Dir. d.
C. Giddings for acquiring contingent iu-
terest in a claim which was liable to come
before the House for his vote. They did
nothing of the sort; but, failing to get a
satisfactory adjustment Of the case from
the Governor, they memoriIlized the
Legislature OF the State of Texas on the
subject, setting forth in their memorial all
the facts, and embodying copies of the con-
tracts in the case. They asked the Legisla-
ture to do them justice under their con-
tracts. The Texas papers are filled with
lively discussions Of the matter, and the
Democratic journals are of the opinion
that the treatment which Duraut and
Merrick have received is scsly in the eX-
IRENE.
spondent, we have to say that the GiddinSs
feature of this case appears to us to more
nearly resemble that of Pendleton than of
Belknap. Still. the present judiciary Oom-
mittee of the House, being committed to
the legality of the impeachment Of private
citizens for past official acts or corrupt acts
while ia Office, will, most likely, feel it
incumbent upon them to inquire into this
matter and institute proceedings against
Mr.. D. C. Giddings. IfGen. Belknap is
amenable to impeachment, certainly Mr..
Giddings must be "more Also"
But the case of Governor Coke is still
more reprehensible. These bonds, together
with some State bonds, were placed in the
hands of John Chiles by the then Governor
for the purpose of securing medicines and
other property. The war ended. The
State repudiated or cancelled the contract,
and demanded of Chiles the surrender Of
the bonds. The Republican Governor
contracted for the prosecution of Chiles
upon q contingent fee. The Democratic
Governor takes advantage of this contract
but not satisfied with such economical ar
rangement, because his fsvorites would not
be benefited by it, he pays 5000 for ex-
penses of D. c. Giddings' pleasure trip to
Europe, and pays him q fee equal to all
Governor Davis had contracted to pay to
Durant and Merrick ($31 ,O00) in addition.
Such is Democracy Extravagant with
out cause or provocation wherever it has
the power to lavish the money of the State
upon its friends, but mean to a shameless
extent and rascally dishonest when treating
of obligations entered into in the name Of
the State by its opponents! Governor
Coke unblushingly repudiated the contract
of Governor Davis, Endorsed by himself,
and coolly said to Durant and Merrick,
"You have been paid enough" 1t seems
that Durant and Merrick did receive
SIG, 900 previously on account of the re-
covery OF some State bonds, or other prop
erty, from Chiles. But, that they were
dearly entitled to receive one fifth of the
proceeds of the $500. COO Texas indemnity
bonds recovered in Europe there can be no
doubt. Governor Coke expects to be elect
ed Senator this week to succeed Mr.. Ham
ilton. He is just the material for sound |
Democratic Senator, as things go now. As
we must have Democrat from Texas, by |
all means send us one of the purest type. |
From the foregoing narrative we should |
Judge that Coke must be the man, accord |
ing to the eternal fitness of things" At |
all events, it should be between him and |
D. C. Giddings. The latter took $31, 900 |
of the States money for doing nothing but |
what his duties as member of Congress re-
quired, while the former not only paid it to
him, but tried to cheat honest men out of |
it. Texas Democrats choose We!
EDITORIAL POSTSCRIPT.