The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-05-02
Tuesday, May 2. 'S2.
THF PICTURE BUSINESS.

Quite an animated discussion arose in the
Texas house of representatives on the propo-
sition to purchase portraits of the governors OF
Texas. A member named Todd shook the
Confederate bloody shirt in fine style over the
proposition. He said:
l am satisfied in this matter we are depart
ing from the path laid down by the governor
for legislation this session. The house has
refused to provide recognizance OF the claims
Of those crippled Confederates who carried the
stars and bars through the bloodieSt contests
ever enacted in the theater of human action:
These governors have their records. Some OF
these governors have splotches upon their
records. One of them sent out his military to
overawe the civil authorities OF the country.
Never with my vote will the purchase be made
OF the portrait of any such governor.
OF course this man Todd meant Governor
Davis, and Mr.. Finlay, of Galveston, took
occasion to skin Todd right ''thar and then"
in style that was simply rich. In speaking
Of political prejudices Finlay said:
Whatever you may say of the harsh feelings
IN the south against Charles Sumner and OF
his enmity in times of war to our people, yet
to the grand act of his life when he proposed
to place in his constitution of Massachusetts,
provision striking out of the statues Of his
state all reference to the late war. We may
have denounced him, but we must now con-
cede that the spirit which animated him was
that of right Justice and conservation. When
we look abroad over Texas the only monu-
ment to our grand old veterans is that which
has lust been erected at San JacintO. The
Alamo has passed into stranger hands. Moth
ing remains to US Of that great struggle of
1876, either of monument, picture, painting or
memory, to show it ever existed. We know
what other nations have done. We have had
onr great men-our governors and presidents.
Be they democrats or republicans, it is our
duty to perpetuate their memories, and in do
ing SO the man who will now raise the distinc-
ton on account of parry is no less an enemy
to his country than he who upon he floor OF
congress will waive the bloody shirt. APP
plabse.l can, for myself, say so far as the
bloody shirt is concerned / endeavor to close
it up forever. have borne arms for the
United States as have against that govern
ment have marched under the stars and
stripes and propose if necessary to do so
under that flag, and if they won't let US stay
under it. propose to stay under it anyhow.
Mr.. Todd (excitedly)-I would ask if the
day is any nearer at hand when the Statue of
Lee will adorn the halls of congress?
Mr.. Finlay-That would not influence me.
Mr.. Todd livery much excited )-They pro-
pose, sir, to US, to give up all our sectional
feelings, but don'tgive up theirs.
Ruled out of order.
In the midst of considerable confusion and
excitement, he declared he had fought in thir
teen pitched battles.
Mr.. Finlay-What have said have illus
trated in what the gentlemen from Marion has
said. Perhaps have not done as much as
he has for the confederacy. haven't eft
and fought and fought and fit, till the whole
country, for ten miles around, was a sea Of
blood and slush and mud Whatever we de-
nounce in the foolish bloodshed business in
congress is subject to the same denunciation
when repeated here. Why, sir, the people of
this country do not approve of the bloody shirt
on this floor any more than in congress.
think it is time, as has been contended for by
the great democratic party. that the last of this
foolishnesS should come, sir; but there is a set
of old bourbons that always propose to -four
ish the bloody shirt and they are the men
who held bOom-proof positions during the
war. Great applause]
[Mr. Todd, rising and speaking excitedly,
shaking his fist towards Mr.. Finley; but con-
tiuued laughter and applause prevents him
from being heard. The sergeant-at-arms APP
proAches, quiets him and restores order
Mr.. Finlay-We have additional evidence,
it seems, every moment that we should be
calm and conservative. / do not pretend to
have have been at the battle of of Waterloo;
was not with Bonaparte when he crossed the
Alps, and sir, furthermore say, in all candor,
that | am not the man who killed Cock
Robin. [Applause]. acknowlec &c it. I
did not fight in thirteen battles, but if had
and had been as thin as the gentlemen from
Marion, no doubt would have come out I'M
scathed. Perhaps If + had been less for
tunate he would have more disposed to
vote few dollars fq limbs for Grip
pied confederateS While OIL this
subject of veterans said these
old men come up pew from
the legislature ey
Mr. Ayres, of les-
ton before the
Mr.. FinlaJ
Brazos couni
dollars appp
mechanica
sir, in cor
Texas.
Two or
pensio