The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-04-05
From advanced sheets of next issue of Texas
Siftings.I
The Lobby, the Legislature and Tex
as Siftings,

The Lobby, the Legislature and Tex
rs Siftings,
In our last issue there appeared an
article under the caption of Hell on
Earth" in which we outlined some of
the atrocities of the Texas peniten-
tiary lease system, and called atten-
ton to the influences being used on
the members of the legislature by
the lobby now at Austin to induce
them to ratify the penitentiary lease.
| When some of the members of the
legislature read the article on Friday
morning they became excited and in
| trOduced Il resolution asking that a
committee of investigation be up
pointed. Several hours were spent in
denouncing Texas Siftings, and very
incorporate language was used by
several members. In fact, most of
what was said was unfit for publica-
ton in respectable newspaper.
The following is that part of our
article that has created this sensa-
ton:
when the present legislature met,
very few members were in favor of
ratifying the lease contract; almost
all the members were violently oppos-
ed to it. The leSseeS and their bench
men, aided by their bank account,
began to work, and gradually the vio-
lent opposition became less violent,
and at this present writing many of
the most bitter opponents of ratifica-
ton are in favor of it, but they are
ashamed of their position. Last week
a newspaper correspondent interview
ed all the members of the house who
were present. Forty-fOur were against
ratifying the lease contract; thirty-SiX
were either in favor of it or were nom
committal. Each member was asked
| if he had any objections to having his
name published in connection with
his expressed intention regarding his
vote. 1t is noteworthy that forty
| two out of the forty-four who were
against ratification had no objection,
but every one of the thirty-siX who
| favored the ratification, or who was
undecided, objected to having his
name published.
Think of all this, and tell us what
should be done to the lawmakers who,
bought by gold, will vote to turn
300 of their fellow creatures over to
the mercileSS hands of men whose
pecuniary interests will prompt them
in the future to treat them as they
have treated them in the past? How
shall we speak of the legislators who
will commit such an infamous out
rage on justice, humanity and civil
ZatiOn ?"
We have said nothing that the rep
reSentative newspapers of the state
have not been saying for weeks, al
though perhaps we said it a little
more plainly.
Witness the following:
1t seems t at the lobby was more
powerful than logic or reaSOn.-Inde-
pendent Blade.
The penitentiary lobby is the most
complete that ever piled any legisla-
ture.-Austin Statesman.
The present legislature will dis
honor themselves and the great state
of Texas should they ratify that
lease Richmond Nation.
The policy of the legislature is not
to traffic in human flesh, but the
penitentiary lobby over-reached that
august body. The lobby is strong
and the legislature is weak.-Falls
County Index.
The fact that an u1principled band
is employed in the interest of the
lessees is proof positive that the con-
tract for speculation in the flesh and
blood of criminal and unfortunate
humanity is a decidedly fat thing
Dallas Times.
The general verdict is that the rati-
fication is a "job," based on personal
interest, and, to use very mild Ian
guage, suggestive of improper in
fiuence.-Houston Post.
The confirmation of the penitentia-
nv lease would be blot on the fair
name of Texas.-Fort Worth Demo
crat.
The Gazette INDUCES the hope that
the house will rise superior to the
establishments of the lobby and the
influence of the governor.-Fort
Worth Gazette.
The ratification of the penitentiary
leases has an unwholesome appear
Galveston Print
The lob is the boldest and rankest
piece of favoritism, not to use a
harsher term, that has disgraced the
state.-Dallas Texas.
The Post is also sincerely sorry to
learn that Gov. Ireland has taken a
handin this matter, and in way that
greatly surprises those who regarded
him as utterly unapproachable in his
impa. TALLY as the executive of the
state. We understand that he has
been playing the Cromwellian role of
sending for Senator A. or Representa-
tive B., and using his personal infiu-
ence with him ON the subject of the
penltentiary lease.-Houston Post.
Texas Siftings was selected as a
target for the explosion of the wrath
of the honorable gentlemen, because
| it has much larger circulation than
| any other Texas paper; becau sc it has
1 ALWAYS fearlessIy denounced fraud,
corruption and demag0gism in poll