The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-29
HE STATESMAN SERVES.

Is been held that Gov. Ireland
bthing to do with the peniten-
a leases. The STATESMAN took
hs position directly after his inau-
turation, under the belief that he
would hold himself aloof and permit
the legislature to settle the question
without his influence one way, or
another. Then it became evident that
he was secretly using his influence in
behalf of the leases. One of the agents
of the penitentiary ring came to
the STATESMAN, and, after attempting
to negotiate for the suppression
in it's columns of the minor
ity report made by the senate
committee against these leases, he
left and then returned and attempted
to arrange conference between the
editor of this paper and Governor Ire
land, the purpose, as this agent
stated, being on the part of the gov
ernor to use his influence with the
STATESMAN to see if its position
concerning the leases could not be
changed. Before then the STATES
MAN was not opposed to being inllu-
enced by the governor, but this at
tempt was so INDUSTRIOUS as to erect "a
bar TO such influence. The PROPOSE
ton was treated with Indignation. 1t
was proposed attempt to change the
honest purposes of IA paper by the gla-
mour OF official power, which was
never particularly dazzling to the
STATESMAN, and the proposed con-
ference was therefore rejected. 1t
was rejected because Governor Ire
land has nothing to do with the con-
duct of the STATESMAN, because a
principle adhered to is worth more to
IA paper than all the favors poor,
erring, faithless men in power can
bestow. The conference was not held
because the STATESMAN never was
and never can be the tool of an eXecu-
tive. 1t lives here at this capital OF
this great state to advocate that
which is deemed best for the popular
good, that which may add
to the glory and the dignity
of Texas, not to assume the role OF
servility to any one man, however
clothed with brief authority, not to
be the agency of combinations and OF
cliques, but to serve to its best ability
the interests of Texas. 1t might
have had weight in governmental
matters, it might have even secured the
naming of an officer of the state gov
eminent; might have had crumbs OF
comfort, dropping from the executive
board. but this is not a papers legiti
mate mission. The newspaper, which
cannot be judicial in its utterances
cannot in the balancing of public
questions in just scales TAKE
position upon conviction as tC
which is best for the public veal, neg
Letting that which is personal an6
selfish, is unworthy of existence, anC
ought TO be crushed out" HaC
the STATESMAN submitted to selfish
views; had it when he was still hit
away from the light of day on Il great
question, entered the governors secret
chamber, and there subscribed to per
sonal will, become the submissive too
80 yalSsh oohamaS tho Statp UOul,
have been spared the expense of pay
ing for the cirulatiOn of maliciou
falsehood regarding the STATESMAN
it might have bought gracious con
sideration from placeman, BEEF
recognized because of it:
bending To 'strategem an,
spoils" as worthy of mean reward
1t did not bend; it did not degrad,
its recognized relationship to the
public, and hence contumely ant
shame was attempted to be pileC
upon it. 1t has been shown whenc'
charges against it came, and now
is pleasing to see and receive eVl
dences every day of the estimation il
which the STATESMAN is held. AS i
has been so it will be, unless the eX
pressed desire of the governor that i
be crushed ont" be made good b.
these agencies to which it does no
pander, which it does not serve, an
which are powerless to encompass it
, ruin.