The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-06-21

HERETOFORE Democracy has shown
the utmost folly in selecting presi-
Dental and vice-presidential candi-
dates from so-called influential states.
Instead of hunting the strongest
men they have tried to- palate sec
lions. Hence General Hancock was
nominated for the presidency from
Pennsylvania, and Mr.. English from
Indiana. There was an idea that sec
lions had to be appeased. Hancock
had the record of union soldier to
recommend him, English the
money to back him, and it was under
stood that he would use it. Indiana
claimed the second place on the ticket,
and it was given. That great blum
der was committed may be seen by
the following, taken from staunch
northwestern Democratic journal
Mr.. William H. English. who is the
meanest man that ever ran on presi=
Dental ticket, has just settled one of
his campaign bills by paying fifty
cents on the dollar.
In 1876 Mr.. English, who had charge
of the Democratic side of the October
campaign in Indiana, made contract
with fiery Democratic orator named
w. D. Murphy, of Albany, New
York. to stir the Hoosier heart by a
, series of speeches at a cost of $1,000.
Mr.. Murphy fulfilled his side of the
agreement: and Mr.. English put him
] off with 800, After trying in vain
! to secure the rest of his pay Mr.. Muir
| ply brought suit against Mr.. English
for the balance due.
With his customary cunning and
meanness Mr.. English made answer
that it would be contrary to public
morals and the laws of New York,
! where the contract was made, to pay
such debt. Mr.. Murphy filed a de
murrer. which the court sustained,
claiming that contract must be in
terpreted according to the laws of the
state in which it is executed, and as
there is no law in Indiana against
paying for stump speeches his demand
was not unlawful.
! This decision brought the note
shaving Mr.. English to his senses
and he began to dicker with the
| angry orator, the result being set
| Element of the claim for $500.
1t will never be known how large a
part the Unborn meanneSs of Mr.. Eng
fish played in the defeat OF the Demo
| cratic ticket in 1880. If he had done
mis- work well in his own state in Oc-
tober, the Dorsey gang would have
| 6nfn in
the Republican party would have
been too badly demoralized to make a
stand in any of the doubtful states in
November. But he offended every
decent man with whom he came into
contact; he pinched and scrimped the
campaign fund, and he made endless
promises, which he broke as reckless
~. He would take no advice, and his
record as note shaver and mort
gage sharp drove thousands away
from the ticket which bore his malod
orous name.
The country needs neither soldier
nor bloated bond holder as candi
date. What is wanted in 1884 are
statesmen. whom the people will
know understand the correct prin.
ciples of government, and who will
exercise them when in power. This
is why the STATESMAN has advocated
the nomination of Mr.. Bayard for the
presidency. He is civilian and &
statesman. and it is believed he would
carry many of the very strongest
states of the north, while he would
certainly be strong in all the
southern states. The little state Of
Delaware is one of the oldest and
truest of them all, but because it is
not powerful in an electoral college
some say nominee from there would
not do. Heretofore the powerful
states have demanded the nomina
lions, and then the Democrats OF
these states, because of the impro
priety of such nominations, have al
lowed the candidates to go to defeat
in their own and adjoining states
In 1884 let us name the candidate to
win, not the state that must be ca
joled into democratic line.