The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-12-20

In his speech at the banquet of the
Mexican war veterans Senator Maxey,
to the toast: Mexico our sister re-
public. We salute her ensign now
fntwined with the stars and stripes of
our border in the common cause on
civilization" said "Our sister republic,
separated from US for 200 miles only
by narrow river is now bound to US
by the iron bonds of railroads. Our
policy is friendship, magnanimity
and generosity towards Mexico, which
is waking up to new life. We should
work to secure her trade and preserve
peace and dignity between the two
countries. There is peace between
them now and in the providence of
God may it always remain"
To the general public who know
| anything of William Walter Phelps his
late proceeding in advising Keifer not
to accept the compliment of a nomi-
| nation for speaker is regarded as
"goosey" to say the least. He is
queer looking fish. He is six feet tall,
Of sallow complexion, broad, thin
shoulders, nervous manner, and fash
ionable get up. His very coarse hair
is longest over his low forehead and
his thin moustache looks lonesome
over his big lips. He is jerky and
gushing. He inherited wealth and
good raising; so that he knows how to
entertain, and does Is. If it were not
for his riches he would be crank and
might be a romance writer or heavy
man in light tragedy. The idea of
William Watered Phelps advising his
party what to do is laughable idea
here. He is fond of reporters
and often dimes them in his elegant
home here.
The bill of Representative Cassidy.
of Nevada, to suppress polygamy, pro-
vides fol the abolition of the terrific
rial legislature and the vesting of all
power of government in commission
| of fifteen to be appointed by the presi-
dent, and divided between the two
great political parties. This commits
sion Is to have power to enforce laws
and punish criminals, and will be re-
sponsible to Congress for Its actions.
1t will, in fact, be the government of
the territory. He finds a precedent
for the appointment of such a commits
sion. In 1903 Congress passed q
bill creating commission of thirteen
members, who, with governor
constituted the government of Loui-
siana. The District of Columbia has
the same form of government. II
this bill passes, no other legislation
will be necessary.
The question of the transfer of the
Texas & Pacific land grant is now
fairly before the Senate. The charter
of the Texas & Pacific railway calls
for over 100000 acres of land In
l New Mexico and Arizona, conditioned
upon the building of the road within
a certain time. The road was not
built, but the Southern Pacific was
built along the proposed route of the
Texas & Pacific. The Southern Paci.
4 fic railway having the legal transfer
, of the land from the Texas s. Pacific
railway, seeks to secure the land there.
under. The ablest legal talent is at
work and all questions in the matter
! those of law and of simple equity, are
urged most strenuously. The popu-
, lar wish seems to be to have Congress
settle the matter, instead of the de.
partments.
Postal changes for the past week are
as follows:
Il PostmasterS commissioners: James
Crutchheld, Peterborough: F. W
! Madden, Garlock, GraySon county
new Office; III. ]. Afford. Indianapo
! lis, Mason county, new office): Flor.
entine Warnecke, Hunters Retreat
w. III. Houston, CaldweIIs store: M
p. McMinn, Copeville; S. j. Hender
T son, Hermitage; J..R. Fem, Duke
8 Fort Bend county, new office); j. M
. Ferdy, Mul.a; T. G. Branson, jim
J, Town, Dallas county; II. B. Patter
son, Snyder, Scnrry county, NEW of