The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-08-03
OUR NEXT CONGRESSMAN.

To the Editor of the Statesman:
The time is near at hand when the
Democracy OF the Tenth district, in
convention assembled, must deter
mine who shall be their standard
bearer in the coming congressional
contest. 1t is of more than usual
importance that no mistake be made
and that a proper selection shall be
the result of their deliberations. The
Radicals of the present congress, by
the aid of few Greenbackers and
so-called Independents, like the Hon.
Geo. W. Jones, have succeeded in
excluding all Democrats, whose
seats were contested, without re-
gard to fact, law or justice, thus
evincing their old disposition to re-
tain power by any and every means
however degrading and corrupt. 1t
should be the object of the national
Democracy to secure in the next
congress majority so decisive that
this Ubiquitous practice shall become
impossible. In view of this the cleo
ton of eleven sound, incorruptible
and reliable Democrats is of unspeak-
able importance. Who, then, shall be
the candidate of the Democracy In
this district? Under the new ar
rangement, made necessary by the
increase of our representation, por-
tions of two of the old districts have
been thrown together, but however
Objectionable in shape the new dis
trict may be, the material interests
of its people are the same, and there
should be no collision between them.
Whatever effects injuriously the
citizens of Austin and Travis, effects
in the same measure and degree the
citizens of San Antonio and BexAr.
There is not the shadow of q reason
for any sectional issue between them
or other portions of the district.
The only question is, who is the
proper man to represent them? 1t
is understood that the Hon. Colum-
bus Epson, the present member, re-
siding within the new district, de-
sires to be continued in office, and
on account of his many excellent
personal qualities and private vir-
tues, he has, and deserves to have,
numerous friends who are urg-
ing his reelection. But, to
my mind, there are serious
objections to his nomination at this
time. The great issue now before
the people of the United States is
the question of a protective or reve-
nue. tariff, and this will undoubtedly
enter manly into the next preslden-
tial canvass. Unfortunately Mr..
Epson has committed himself i'll
favor of at least quasi protective
tariff, for his late speech in congress
can have no other candid construc-
ton. Besides, he separated himself
from his colleagues in voting alone
for the tariff commission, which all
sound Democrats agree now in con-
demning as mere scheme of delay
or prevention to any revenue re-
form. The platform of the Demo-
cratic party of Texas, as plainly land
down by the late convention, is for
tariff for revenue only, and Mr..
Epson, unless he changes his base,
cannot stand upon 1t square and up
right and firm, as the candidate of
Texas Democracy should stand. In
the pending canvass there should be
no antagonism among state and con-
gressional candidates on this subject.
There must be unity and earnest
ness to secure the desired success.
L would do no injustice to Mr.. Up
son. am, and have been for many
years, his personal friend. L regret
that he Mas placed himself in posi-
ton that forbids, in my judgment,
his denomination at the present cri-
sis. We must have no divided dele
CATION from the great and growing
state of Texas. On the question of
revenue tariff, let there be solid
phalanx in support, with no waver-
ing or hesitation along the line. We
have plenty of other good material
in this district out of which a selec-
ton may be made not liable to the
objection which | have felt bound
to make against Mr.. Epson. There
are Hancock, Devine, Breckenridge,
Waelder, Savers, Wurzbach, and
others, who might be suggested.
Let the coming congressional con-
vention act with due caution aud
judgment and all will be well, other
wise Governor Davis, or some other
even more Objectionable Radical,
may be returned from this district.
AN OLD TIME DEMOCRAT.