The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-04-26
THE STATE CAPITAL.
A Breeze Raised by n Correspondence
Between Two High Officials
With Reference to Financial Agent
for the PenitentiarieS.
A Slight Question of Delicate Nature
Given to the Public.
Mr.. Brown Thinks He Has Not Been
Treated Fairly.
The Matter Still at Issue.

AUSTIN, April 2l.-[Special. THE iol
lowing correspondence between Governor
Ireland and Hon. VIM. Brown explains
itself, and is given in full:
HON. WILLIAM BROWN TO THE GOVERNOR.
Austin, Texas April II, lSS3.-To Hon. John
Ireland Governor
DEAR SIR:-Since the action of the legis-
lature in providing tor the appointment of
a financial agent of penitentiaries, partial
friends from various parts OF the state
have been pleased TO express to me ia
vorable opinion of my capacity to render
the state some service in such position.
While the penitentiary bill was pending a
number of members of the Legislature
asked me if would accept the financial
agency if rendered. 1t had not occurred to
me that the plan of management would
e norace the creation OF such tuncuonary.
| had made certain arrangements to 20 aC-
lively into private business short time
before, but after reflection | said to friends
that if the penitentiary board should think
proper to appoint me to the position at a
sufficient sa ary | would accept and devote
myself wholly to the important work be-
fore me with perfect confidence of contrib.
uting 10 success in the general results
have hesitated TO signify that an appoint
ment to this place would be agreeable tc
me- believing it better in a case of such
moment that a selection should be made
from persons well known, with sole refer
ence 10 the public interest, but the custom
of making a formal application has been
so general that in the absence of any from
myself it might be inferred that / did not
want to be considered in connection with
the appointment. |, therefore, deem it
not improper to respectfully present to the
board, through yourself, this, my applica,
ton as financial agent of the penitentia.
tiaries. 1t may be some time before the
board will take action; it would be crafty
ing to me to receive from you some lntima-
ton of your disposition in this matter.
would, Of course, only regard such eS
preston as indicative of your individual
views, but it would Justify me in holding in
suspense my private business, which other
wise should claim my individual attention.
Respectfully, WM Brown.
THE GOVERNOR TO HON. WM. BROWN.
Executive Office Austin, Texas, April 49, 1883.
TO Hon VIM Brown. Austin:
DEAR SIR:-l have your note Of date,
asking the appointment of financial
agent of the penitentiates. This appoint
ment has been rendered TO Mr.. Haywood
Brahan. Mr.. Brahan has been acting in
tha capacity for some years for Cunning
ham IL Ell:s, and it was supposed his IA
milarity with the business would be of
some advantage to the service. OF course
this cannot be construed as any disparage-
ment TO yourself, as it was rendered before
il was known You would accept. 1t will be
gratifying to me to be able to retain your
valuable services to the state in some ca
pacity, Very trul Y yours,
JOHN IRELAND, Governor.
HON wa. BROWN TO THE GOVERNOR.
Austin, Texas, April 10, 1888. - Hon John
Ireland.
DEAR SIR: In our brief con-
versa'ion this evening you asked
if | had received the note which
you haG sent in answer to my communica.
lion OF yestera aay sent you this morning.
You then expressed sOInJ regret that | had
not made my application sooner, and in.
formed me that the board had several DAYS
ago appointed Mr.. A. ii. Brahan, hnan-
cal agent. remarking that Mr.. Brahan had
been acting in that capacity for Messrs.
Cunningham Il Ellis and was thorou shly
qualified. | particuarize your statement
that the board had several days
ago appointed Mr.. Brahan, as, within my
knowledge, the statement was very
surprising. i had learned positively
that the penitentiary bill was not approved
until yesterday and that the commission
ers were only appointed yesterday. Fur
ther, Captain |. G.. SearCy, one of the com
missoners, informed me this evening, since
my interview with you, that no action has
been taken by the beard in the matter Of
appointing the agent, and that the board
ha t'not yet had a meeting, the other com.
Mr.. Walter Tips, being out of
the city, As the law fvps the torn Of
the commissioners at two years, and im-
poses upon the commissioners each for him
self the full responsibility for his participa-
ton OF Official acts, the governor being ex-
ofiicio president, eut otherwise having only
coordinate power and responsibilities with !
the other mem bers OF the board / cannot
understand how the board can be said to
have made an appointment especially. a. |
clusion that no understanding among the |
has heeu arrived al. Everyone |
recognizes the right Of the board to make |
such appointment as u may see III 10 make, |
the sense OF the board. 10 be determined Of |
course by the prepouderating opinion no. |
the right merely. but the solemn duty /
which attaches 10 each aud every one TO &C, |
according 20 his judgment. tree from any /
moral coercion or other improper influence I
which might possible be brought 70 bear
rom any quarter. IL Is equally, also, the /
privilege OF the privilege OF the humblest 1
citizen 20 submit his name. If he chooses /
10 any board having a legal power TO ap- I
point and that power is entitled 10 sucn |
~ the board, through its I
several members, acting officially, may /
.hink proUer 20 give 10. No president Of a /
board can deny or deprive the citizen of |
such proper consideration iOs iOfesialling /
he action Of the board without q bresch |
81 the privileges Of citizenship. These /
privileges having. a. ] conceive, been set az 4
laught By the action which you have as
.umed % take ] shall freely assert my right /
ss an applicant before the board for the /
appointment 20 the position Of financial /
sFenl Of peniieniiaries, without regard 10
4 cults. ~ far as ] am concerned.
Respectfully. W. n. BE0wN.
HOS. w HE0WE TO un sEAECT.
lusfin. T.Iss April -. lsso.--Cspiain J. /
DEaR sir.-Havine learned tha, the a.. /
Dointment Of q financial agent Of psniten- /
iaries devolres on the peniteutlarv board /
lf which You are q member, ] beg 10 sub |
nit my name for consideration as an aupli- |
,sut for The appointment. You viii reCol- |
ect that ] addressed yOu verbally on the /
Iubjsci yesterday. kespectiully,
W. n. Bn0wr.
A letter nesriy identical with the
.bUvs Vas addressed 20 Mr.. Walter Tips.
vtieh ne omit.
CUuET uECIuoNs.
The cJurt of sppeals have sfirmed I
be following casess Dresser " the
state from Gaudalupe county
HiIliard W. the STATE, from Trnris
sounty Edwards ". tbs stats, Rom Travis
s1uuty. Jones "a the state, from TrsrIs
olnfT. Acosta ". The Stste, from Hsres
sUuuty Herrera ". TIE 6tafe, from Wilson
-Cuufy sims ". the state, from Bssfrup
souBty Nesly ". TIE ststs, from Dsllss
souuty.
Tbs spreai "a. dismissed IN ths usfter
b Ire lniernatiOnai A Grsnf Northern rnf-
rty ". ssrncra. from 1fsvis couDty.
1rs frIlcwlrr wert reTersed and rnrnan1-
- Thcnas ~ ths ttnte ron uaIas
rorrfy- Van NCy "a ne susie frun Far-
, IN cCurtTs ErlrrcFe- ~. tne etnts. fruu
strts frrrr Rsrnr crrrfr.