The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-07-27
GOVERNOR ROBERTS.

signed "Democrat and entitled "Goyernor
Roberts" Its writer has all the while been
strong supporter Of the Old Alcalde, and we
give the former the benefit Of all he can say
in bis friends interest II any one in all this
section, or in the state for that natter, could
make an argument in any cause he
undertakes to sustain, II ia the learned
and thoroughly posted writer who come
to the reRcue Of the governor
this morning. In default of his establishing
the sounduess or sxpediency of the policy of
Governor Roberts, it may we'll be concluded
that there are no available arguments fer the
purpose. The reader will peruse that .entire
communication, which, in spirit Of fairne IS,
we give place to, and he will fail to find any
argument whatever that in the least
sustans the administration, or weaken
single argument whereby Lieuten-
ant-Governor Sayers has destroyed the
positionso of his opponent. There are but
three main points sought to BIO made in the
communication, the first being the personal
character of the governor, his inaexible hon
esty, etc; second, his willingness to cooper
ate with tho legislature in remedyiRg the
errors of his now expiring administration
and, third, his fair prospects for re-
nomination under instructions. In re-
gard to the first, there is no dis
cusson. We concede with pleasure that
his personal character is irrepproachable;
is even historic, if you please, and for this
every good citizen does and will honor HIM
But the question is not whether we arc called
on to honor private virtues and persona
worth. If it we're, battalons Of e'timable
gentlemen in any of the departments of life
or business would arise to our view. 1t is
whether this good citizen is competent for
and skilled in the business to be entrusted to
his care. This question is partially answered
by our correspondent, who virtually admits
the "errors of his Judgment" by urging that
che will be willing to cooperate with the
legislature in correcting the mistakes
of some of the experimental measures" OF
his administration, The office of governor,
complex in its interests, multfarious in it
forms and of the highest resp it
administering, is not training school for the
inexperienced in its general scope or its de-
tails. Nor was his previous station at all
fitted to qualify him for executive duties, but
indeed quite the reverse. In correctness of
vision rs to the states true policy, Liouten-
ant. Governor Sayers was wide awake while
the governor was sleeping in the past.
Nor is the gubernatorial chair a seat of re-
ward for all time or u stopping stone for even
those who have deserved we'll of their con-
stituencies or the state. So much for this
part of the argument. In the matter of
willingness to cooperate with the legislature
in remedying this errors of the past, is it not
clearly, infinitely better to place some one in
the position, who, from the first SAW and
sought to avert these now existing errors
Will not the deficiency of Judgment, ex-
perience, tact, or what you will, that oc-
cssioned them, beget other errors of
equal or even greater harm to the state
Truly there is but one answer to this ques-
ton. The third point urged by our cores
pondent that the present incumbent has
thus far a larger number Of counties that
have instructed for him in the coming con-
vention. This is an argument incomplete un-
til other counties shall have been heard from.
We have avery vivid remembrance that in
the battles of Bull Run the side that was so
flushed with victory that it concluded the
fight was whipped, was the unhappy one that
met defeatin the long run. We have also
fresh recollection Of the more recent boast of
the Grant faction at Chicago, who claimed
that they had votes enough to nominate their
candidate on the first ballot. We all know
the final response to that boast. Evidently
this last argument in the communication was
meant to influence the coming convention.
If then, as aforesaid, these are the strongest |
arguments that can be made by a strong man
in the Roberts interest, and when the latter's |
speeches have been SO completely answered |
by Governor Sayer', wo are entitled to claim
that the policies and the measures Of Cover
nor Roberts are unsusceptible of good de-
fence.