The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-11-10
CANvAssING FOR A GOVERNOR.

tililDCl 10 DNSOAAAhS
a general topic of discussion in the
newspapers. Texas is bound to
have a governor, and, this being the
most important office in the gift of
the people, there is no wonder
ii claims attention eight months IN
advance Of probable selection of
candidates. There are good many
men in the state who would make
proper governors to say otherwise
would be to cast slur, 0s great
light of independent journalism
does, upon public intelligence in
Texas. Governor Roberts has madea
most admirable executive, but GER
tainly there are other men who
would make equally wise and care
full governors; and yet 1t was par
ticularly fortunate that so good a
selection as the Old Alcalde was
made for these two terms. 1t is said
he does not ask for the third term,
but, should he desire il, there would
certainly be propriety in continuing
him in the place he fills so well.
Should the administration OF state
affairs, however, pass into new
hands there is enough material
from which to select a good chief
officer. Our present lieutenant
governor would make an able and
careful executive. Judge Devine
would fill the place with distinction,
coupled with decided executive
ability, and so would other gentle.
men i'll different portions of the
state. Austin could present admira-
bic material. The distinguished
jurist, who occupies a place
on the Travis county district
bench, and who, few
years since, was voluntarily named
by the people of the counties north
west of Austin for governor, would
fill the position as few men could
fill it; and yet this man sspires to
no such honor. Who the next gov
ernor will be, unless il be Oran M.
Roberts, is hard to predict. A La
Grange correspondent of the NeacS,
writing upon this subject, says:
Judge Ireland, of Seguin, is
spoken of, against whose ability, tai
ents and craftsmanship nothing can
BE- urged. He has always been an
uncOmpromising Democrat, and his
voice has ever beon raised in the in
terests of the people. While he
may not have made as much
fuss and noise about farmers as
has Governor Roberts, he has
always done everything in his
power to protect them against all
monopolies, as is shown by his
course in the senate while q member
of that body. There is another man
in this portion of the state who
would, IN my judgment, make the
best governor we have had SINCE the
war man who, for statesmanlike
qualifications, strength of mind and
all the qualities, mental and physi-
cal, which 90 to make a great man,
stands the peer and equal of any
man in Texas. He is man who has
been tried in the balance of public
confidence and has never yet been
found wanting. His Democracy is
undoubted, and although abuse has
time and again been heaped upon
him within our own ranks. he has
ever been found true to the prin-
clples of his party and has never
yet "sulked in his tent" when
his voice was needed in
the field. That man is Hon. John
Hancock, of Austin, and with him
in the gubernat orial chair we would
have an executive OF whom every
citizen would be proud. / know
that in times gone by many have
tried to bury him, politically, be-
cause of his Union sentiments, and
have endeavored to drive him from
our ranks into the camp of the enc
my. Their efforts have signally
failed in the past, and believe they
are now weary of their useless en-
deavors, and will be ready to deal
justly with this man, who showed
himself to be q true friend when we
needed one. The bitterness exhibit
ed towards him has, or at least
should have, died out ere this, and
the merits of this gentleman should
be recognized, aud he should be
again called from his retirement to
accept an office wherein his services
would be valuable to the people.
Brave, fearless, intelligent, honest
in all things, and of undoubted tai
ents, he would fill the position of
governor with credit to himself and
with honor to the people"