The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-08-04

ana Immigration the Most important
Questions Before. the People of the State.
From the Houston Post, Aug. grid.
Austin, August I.-As Ex-Governor +. J..
Davis has so long been regarded as the ex-
ponent of the republican sentiment in this
state and possesses such extensive means Of
information as to the sentiment Of that party.
your reporter called on him to-day to learn
his views as to the political situation, and for
informati' n in regard to the probable attitude
of the republican party ir the coming contest.
Governor Davis very kindly consented to
answer any questions asked, and the follow
ing interview was the result:
''What course. in your opinion, will the re-
publican party Of this state pursue in the COM
ing campaign? Will they make nominations
or ,dolse Independent a dicates ?"
Governor Davis replied: LAS lar as l can
safely Judge from conversations with the re-
puLlicans and letters received, conclude tina,
; very large ma rity Of the party favor max
ing no nominations but voting for independent
candidates. think it probable that this
will be the course of the republican convention
VII CHI meets here on August 23-but this is
only my opinion"
"What course do you think would be wisest
for them to pursue :"
Il think very decidedly that republicans
should act in harmony with those who are
willing to join in redeeming the state from
bourbon rule, and this is feasible only by
dropping party (for the time being at leas,),
and working for this end as Texans and fol
the good of Texas"
"What do you consider the most important
\ nc hatu tn. of th;c a a md
the opposition in the pre- ent Canvass?'
1.-The most important questions of state pol
icy are perhaps those relating to public schools,
the management Of The school fund, the man.
agement of the public lands, and the encour-
agement of immigration"
'What do You regard as the chief ca use OF
the loss of strength on the part Of the demo
cracv and the consequent gain Of their oppo-
nents?"
IL think the democracy has lost strength
as the result of number of causes 1t has
made many promises which it has failed
to perform, particularly about public
chools. Every platform OF the democracy
for the past twelve years has contained
some hourishing promise as to The CRANE
performance Of that party Pretty much ever,
head ola 'amily is interested in that matter, and
these have become pretty generally convinced
that these promises were intended as tn.
merest Duncome. Then, when the Democra-
cy came into 'wer eight or re years ago
we had nearly 1900, oco acres Of public lands.
These are all gone and there are, further. a
number Of mill MS of outstanding land certifi-
Gates in excess, ard it is very hard for the
average democratic politician 10 find an ex
PLANTATION If how all this has happened. But,
in the meantime the people or actual settler.
dom, have the La d--they are possessed by
gigantic spectators and corporations. But
doubtless, the most patent cause Of waning de
mccracy is that The people have found, as ap
pied to that party. that ''all is not gold thai,
gli,ters." The democracy came into power
full "f assertions against the honesty Of Their
pred cessorS assertions which it is noticed
they have OF Substantially and of promises
of reform. But their record since they have
had possession Of power is full of ugly spots
and their overwhelming power has made their
leaders and wire-pullers insolent and reck-
less"
"What will be the effect upon the state can
vaSs OF so many independent candidates run.
ming for congress and local Offices? ?"
81 do not know to what extent there will be
independent candidates for congress and local
Offices. l should suppose that for local Offices
independents would be more likely to be sue
cessful if all parties in opposition can unite on
them, and when the opposition Is itself divided
on local candidates don't think the independ-
ent movement for state offices is likely to be
benefited"
"What do you think of the prospects for
the success Of the independent candidates."
II think that they are very good, especially
that for governor. l think that most of the
opposition is settling down in favor of Colonel
Jones, and hope il will be all united on him
before the election. Ifitis, think his chances
are very good. A great change is going on in
this state"
The interview here drifted into general
conversation. The fact that Governor Davis
to-day announces himself as an independent,
candidate, free from all party allegiance or re-
straint, gives forcible emphasis to his words.
lie evidently means what he says-if elected,
to be Representative of the people and not Of
party or machine. His views as to the
proper and probable course of the republican
state convention. and as to the chances of
success for the independent ticket, are fully
endorsed by all the republicans and indspend.
ents in this section.
The san Antonio Literary and Debating
Society.
The monthly business meeting of the socie-