The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-10-12

Attacked by his Enemies

hon. JOnu hduCOCk, Tue OtulO-
cratic nominee for congress in this
district opened the campaign at San
Antonio on Oct. 4, in a vigorous,
manly and patriotic speech, in which
he placed himself firmly on the DEM
ocratIc platform upon the great
political issues that now engage the
attention of the American people.
In this speech Judge Hancock de-
clared himself, in terms not to be
misunderstood, in favor of a tariff
for revenue only, and opposed to a
tariff for protection. 1t was necessary
that his position on this vital issue
should be clearly defiued, aud it was
eminently proper that this should
be done in the very heart and center
of the high protection sentiment in
this congressional district. But it is
claimed that Democrats represent
ing the wool interests OF the west
are displeased at Judge Hancock's
position.
1t is apparent that strenuous
effort is being made in the interest
of E. j. DAVIS to estrange the Demo-
cratic support from Judge Hancock.
learn from the press kilograms that
on Friday night certain gentlemen
interested in the wool trade in San
Antonio held meeting and invited
Judge Hancock before them for ex-
animation. They asked him if he,
as a member of congress, would op-
pose reduction of the present tariff
of ten per cent on wool. He replied
hok hn hn
regarded the present tariff on wool
as not above q revenue standard.
They then inquired whether he
would vote for reduction of the
present tariff (forty to one hundred
per cent? on wooden manufacturers.
He replied that he would vote for
such reduction until he reached a
revenue basis. This is strictly in
harmony with the Democratic
platform and with the pub
lie sentiment of our people.
In the Express of October there
appears an address to Woolgrow-
ers" signed by a committee, which
purports to speak in behalf of the
wool growers and wool merchants
of the tenth congressional district
and urging shat sheepmen and
their friends use their power at the
ballot to defeat his (Hancock's) elec-
ton, not for political reasons but for
our % own protection and the good
of the country" The Express makes
continuous editorial attack on Judge
Hancock, and gravely misrepresents
his position as. well as the
position of the Democratic
party on this question. Almost
every issue contains a parti.
san dispatch from Austin misrepre.
senting and classifying the position
and record of Judge Hancock, and
eulogizing his opponent. And YET
the Express, making war on Han
cock and training in the interests Of
E. j. Davis, the arch-enemy of al
that is manly and great in Texas
| claims to be a Democratic paper
On Saturday night A. j. Evans
made speech in San Antonio, il
which he INDUCED in torrent Of
vituperation and abuse of Judge
Hancock, and on Sunday morn
ing this same Democratic paper
devotes column TO report
of this speech, with open approva
of its sentiments. In the same issue
appears the following local para
graph:
"The wool men are raising funds
with which to pay the expenses o.
a prominent speaker to stump thu
district for John Hancock, and il
favor of Edmund j. Davis, not OF
account of politics, but OF
account of the tariff. Hancock il
opposed to the tariff on wool anC
wooden goods, and that's where thu
shoe piDches."
So it appears that money is to bt
used by these favored interests, bar
tering off the life-blood of the masses
I'm an attempt to defeat a Democra
who stands on the platform of hi
party, and who has now, as he hai
ever had, the courage of bis opin
ions. The Hubbell fund is to b,
supplemented in order that JohI
Hancock may be defeated and tina
Ell. Davis may be elected. to congress
from this district. This same E. J
Davis, so say the dispatches, was
before the same committee of wool.
men, and In answer to the sam,
questions propounded to Hancock
pledged himself to protective tariff
Hancock spurned the bride anC
stood by his principles, his party ant
his people. E. j. Davis accepted tn,
offered bride and sold his manhood
for the promise of few votes which
these pretended representatives O
the wool growing interests pro
pose to deliver. Do Democrat,
sheepmen propose to be thu
sold to E. j. Davis? Who are the
gentlemen who sign this address
Are they Democrats2 Have the,
heretofore acted and voted with tbs
Democratic party? What right hav,
they, whether Democrats or Repnb
licans, to dictate to Democrats anC
to freemen how they should vote
The power they would exercise is ,
species of political priestcraft never
yet tolerated by an intelligent man
hood. This clique is attempt
ing to make the sheep meI
believe that John Hancock il
making q war especially upor
them and their interests. This is 8
miserable falshood. Hancock make.
no war on the wool interests o.
Texas. He is opposed to the pres
ent tariff, levied in support of 9
4