The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-03-30
HONEST CONFESSIONS.

The Bolton Journal calls attention
to the fact that the STATESMAN IA
vored the election of Gov. Coke to
the United States senate. This is
matter of notoriety, and directly
after his election it was explained
in these columns why he was thus
supported. The STATESMAN was
then convinced that Richard Coke
would make a reasonably fair sena-
tor, but it was fully as well con-
WINGED that his administration of
state affairs was dangerous to the
best interests of Texas, aud that it
would therefore be safest to have
him removed from the executive
office at the earliest moment posi-
BILE. His financial policy had been
ruinous to the state, and he was run
ming an expensive personal govern
ment for his own advancement and
to the detriment of the state.
With such convictions, the idea
being that his early removal
from the sphere of executive
power would be beneficial to public
interests, the STATESMAN Joined the
movement to put Coke in the sem
ate; and let the Journal and all
others be now informed that this
very sentiment, as balance of
power in the legislature, did put
Coke where he now is. We have
not been wholly disappointed in
Mr.. Coke as a senator; but he has
fallen far below what was antici-
pated for him, and while his admin
istration of state affairs was signal
lied by the greatest financial
blunders, and by most expensive
personal favoritism, his career as
senator has been commonplace,
and too often most un-
dignifed. The STATsEMAN's posi-
ton at that time was clearly defined.
Had it not been for the peculiar
conditions under which Texas labor
ed then, struggling for better and
safer existence, the STATEsMAN might
have been found laboring for Judge
Hancock, whose bold imprudencies
had, however, rendered him entirely
unavailable as a senatorial candi-
date. He was certainly the ables
man in all Texas for the senatorial
position, and there can be no doubt
that to-day he would reflect more
credit upon Texas, as one of its
senator's, than any other man who
could have been sent to Washington.
But it is his nature to be absolutely
impolitic in his boldness, and thus
he placed himself at the time in a
hopeless position. The STATESMAN
had not been, up to the time of the
senatorial election referred to, IA
vorably impressed with the charac-
ter of Judge Ireland. 1t had mis-
understood him, probably, in many
things, and hence saw ne reason
for his advancement. 1t had
mistaken, his honesty of pur-
pose for obstinscy, his zeal for
fanaticism, and was it not at that
time prepared to do him that JUS
tice which he merited. Subsequent
developments-the proof of the let
ter, whereby Coke's aspirations for
the senate were deceitfully waived
in the interest of Ireland, and an
attempt to injure the character OF
an upright Inan-created revolu'
ton IN our estimation of John Ire
land, and the STATESMAN, after q
careful investigation of the mans
character, became his defender, and
to-day it admits that no man is
known in Texas in whom more pub
lie trust might be placed than in him
lie has many warm and Jealous sup
porters in every portion of the
state. and whenever his name
shall hereafter be presented for pub
lie consideration, the STATESMAN
will give it that consideration
which an honest, true name SHOULD
always have. Discussing this thing
of past political predictions and
preferences the journal says:
We are glad to know from thu
STATESMAN, which is presumed tt
speak as one having authority, tina
Governor Roberts "would taxi
more pride in remaining governol
of Texas and carrying out the nobl,
purpoees of his administration
than to have the highest gift
of the people of the United
States" This being true, W,
confess that we have don'
Governor Roberts bit of injustice
in that we have been strongly of thu
belief that he was an aspirant for thu
senatorship. We accept the state
ment of the STATESMAN as final, an(
shall stand by it unless circum
stances force US to q contrar,
opinion. What the anoble purpo
ses of his administration are, be
comes q matter for consideration u
some future time. The extra session
of the legislature may possibly de
velop issues not now clearly defined
and then will be the time to discus
the "noble purposes Of the COVER
nor's administration.
There is another matter tina
properly belongs under the caption
to this article, and one that is in nc
wise divorced from what we hav,
been considering. A dispatch from
Laredo announces that Judge Ire
lands friends are hard at work t
secure the Webb county delegation
to support him for governor at tn,
next state convention, with no prob
able opposition. This is suggestive
1t brings up the Coke-Ireland
Hancock contest for the Senator
ship. The defeat of Mr.. Ire
land on that occasion has nevel
ceased to be a matter of regret witt
many, and it is not presuming to-
much to say that considerable pc
cent. of them viii now rally TO hi
support. John Ireland has eve
been faithful in the discharge of hi
duty as private citizen and as
public officer, and this, togethe
With the treatment he received whel
an aspirant for the senatorship, vii
insure him a strong following.
A founding, with red hair an
hlua eyes was laid at a pr0minen