The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-06-22

MED, either, by Texans that
bossism can prevail here, for
from 1874 to 1877 no people were
more thoroughly controlled in the
interest of personal ambition than
were Texans. A false and irrespon-
sible and tyrannical state govern
ment had led them to welcome a
change with delight, AMI under the
influence of hope realized the people
retired in all confidence behind
popular will, and became the
unsuspecting prey to personalism.
Not alone in New York and in PENN
sylvania can bossism prevail, but
even here in Texas, where it is so
positively condemned, has it exer-
clsed its fullest sway, and therefore
it behooves all to be on the alert,
looking for boss demonstration and
opposing it. When any people ar
rive at the conclusion that their sole
dependence is in one man, they are
already in the hands of boss, be it
for good or for evil, and iu republican
communities such sentiment
smacks of unrepublicanism, of GEN.
tralization. 1t was held for a long
time that Texans could not get
along without Governor Roberts as
the states chief executive, and many
persons really believed so, but yield
ing to the Democratic doctrine that
two successive terms is enough in a
republican state for any one execu-
tive, Governor Roberts declared
he would not be governor again,
even if the position were offered
him. and the readiness with which the
people began to cast about for others
to take his place demonstrated that
they had escaped bossism this time,
because no effort had been made to
enthral them. But it is dangerous
proposition to go as far as
many did in the proposition
concerning Governor Roberts. He
makes an admirable executive, one
whose acts are pleasing to the
masses, but to assume that there
are not other men as well fitted
for chiet executive of the state
as he is humiliating. To hold
to such a theory would in fact
be voluntary submission in this in
stance to involuntary bossism.
Governor Roberts had no desire to
be boss, or he could have been a
most powerful one. Much of the
opposition which he has met with
could have been passified by favora-
BILE responses TO propositions made
by studied opposition. He could
have secured ostensible adulation
from many OF his visible opponents,
but it appears that he desired to
be just to the people instead of
powerful among the captains and
the lieutenants. 1t is folly, as we
have said, to assume that only Gov
ernor Roberts could have admins
tered wisely the affairs of the state
government. There is and has been,
in fact, variety of opinion on the
course of his administration, some
very good men strongly asserting
that it has been most ipju.
rious to the state. The
STATESMAN has held to the
contrary opinion, but the fact that
he has been strongly opposed, even
in the Democratic party, and that
this opposition was growing greater,
shows his wisdom in discouraging
the idea, among those who were
satisfied with Robertson, that
he was the only man in Texas
able to conduct a state
government with satisfaction to the
people. He has, in our opinion, per-
formed his part well, and in the in
terest of harmony among Democrats
Governor Roberts has been generous
enough to say he has retired from
the political arena, leaving it fol
others. 1t is even probable that had
his supporters urged his nomination
for third term, that il might have
resulted in most serious disruption
in the Democratic party, and thus
have led to the triumph of the bit
terest foes of the best interests oi
Texas. The STATESMAN is ON the
side of honest government in Texas
and knowing that under the guidance
of pure Democracy the state is
safe it is earnestly in favor Of perpet.
uating Democratic administration.
Hence it accepted the retirement
of Governor Roberts as wise
and devotes itself to a sue.
cession that may reflect credit
upon the state. We could name
dozen men upon whom the admis.
tration mantle would fall with credit
to Texas and Texans. Therefore,
we have urged that the masses re,
spond at the primaries and make
party representation a true refiec.
tion of honest popular impulses
The wire pullers are jealous in labor
untiring in, schemes and working in
the dark, they are preparing e
mount If possible, upon the adver
sity of those who dare work in the
broad daylight. They organize cor,
respondence bureaus, and the pri
vacy of Uncle Sans mail bags enye.
lope secret purposes that, in publ,
demonstration, would not be sane
toned. Were the best man in Texas
the ablest statesman and th'
purest lawgiver, the most profound
scholar, the proadest intellect and