National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-03-04
COLORED TEXAN.
What He COnaIderz Necessary for the Good
OF tlie Lone star state.

OF iiic Lone ht0r httste.
Hearing ofthe presence in this city OF Mr.. Nell
son, secretary of the State Executive Committee Of
Texas, n reporter OF THE RErUBIIcAN proceeded
to his residence to interview him. MIR. Nelson is a
small man. with bright, piercing eyes, and from
general appearance seems 10 be a man Of oxtraor-
dinary intelligence and energy. He is a eol0red
man, and about forty years Of age. Said our re-
porter:
~ came for the purpose of eiciting from you
what IL anything, is necessary to give impetus 10
the Independent movement in Texas, and your
official position, If any you hold and whether
that position enables you to represent the Repub-
licans of Texas"
"I will answer the latter part OF the question
first ! am the secretary of the State Executive
Committee Of Republicans In Texas, Ex- x-Governor
L. J. Davis is chairman"
"In most of the States the chairman and secretary
of the State Executive Committee generally repre-
sent the party. Has your State adopted different
course, as understand DR.. Lane claims to repre-
sent the Republicans Of TeXasr'
"I know nothing about DR.. Lane, excepting that
he is assistant secretary, while secretary, and
another colored man-Jerry Hamilton-is record
ing secretary. am not egotlstica enough to claim
that represent the Republican party of Texas
| nor have a carte blanche, as some gentlemen; but
have been Republican all my life, ana have as
such been elected and appointed to fill various
Offices have been assessor of taxes Justice of the
peace and coroner, to all OF which l have been
elected, and have been appointed postmaster at
| Highland near Galveston, l have in all filed
about s25 900 bonds, which Is large amount for a
| colored man to file. In all my duties as a public
officer have invariably made II u rule to strictly
attend 10 them and no bondsman has ever had TO
pay one cent on my account, Az the last Repub-
liCau convention was elected delegate, and by
said convention was chosen as its secretary with
out dissenting voice"
| "What Is the most advisable course TO pursue to
| cav from ROurbOuSmY'
| "Ithink the only way TO redeem Texas is: First
for all the elements of Repubicanism in that State
to unite; second, for the Greenbackers and Re-
pubcRns to stick close TO each other each espous-
ing the others for the welfare of the country
third, for both political parties to be sufficiently
liberal TO concentrate the whole combined force
of dissatisfied Democrats: and fourth, for all those
elements to put former Bourbon, who ha,
severed his allegiance, forward as their standard
bearer"
"Ars you in favor of the Independent move
II am, most sssuredly am the editor and
proprietor of the Galveston Spectator paper prin
cipally devoted to the welfare Of the party, and In
il shall edyocate the measure with & Al the force
stump. l know have some influence with the
colored people, as have never been candidate
for any office to which have not been elected
Until the Republicans unite among themselves sc
long will they be subject TO Democratic rule with
| no chance for relief"
al am here in the interest of harmony. pay
my own expenses, and consider myself well rec
| OmpenSeQ II BOurDOniSln lS destroyed,
"'You being colored man, tell me whom Of the
different candidates for marshal of the Western
District do the eolored people most preferG"
"Whlle not living in the district you refer to
yet can unhesltatingly say that with one accort
they not only indorse Colonel 5. II. Russell'
course and are satisfied with his administration
heretofore, but they are anxious that he be reap
pointed, recognizing in him one Of the mali
props in the contemplated Independent move
mcnL"
II is but needless to say that Secretary Nelson Il
an influential colored man and seems TO know TN
condition of his people we'll.