Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-05-25
A VOICE FROM WACO.
Mr.. Patton's, Services 10 the State on
the Land. Fraud Board-The Value Of
Harmony.

the Land. Fraud B0ard-The Value OF
Harmony.
wSco, TFxAs. May ~, 1884.
To the Editor OF the Gazette.
There are many of your readers in
this section who are beginning to note
with real interest the frequent men,
ton of the name of Hon. Isaac A.
Patton of Johnson county as fit man
to make commissioner Of the general |
land Office of Texas. I have not the |
honor of personal acquaintance with |
Mr.. Patton, but know something by |
observation of his valus and capacity |
as q public man. 1t is conceded that |
he was one of the most intelligent, in |
dustrious members of the Eighteenth |
legislature, which gave him more than |
local prominence. 1t Is, however, his |
record as member of the land-fraud |
board that invests his candidacy if \
he is really going 10 be candidate),
with appropriate significance. 1t is a
mistake to suppose, as some men do,
| that the citizen who is in private life,
devoid of political aspirations and with
no political axe to grind, is Indifferent
to the administration of public affairs
| in this state. Hundreds of quiet
|
are close observers of current events,
and they base their estimation
of the worth and capacity
of this or that public man upon what
he does-not what he says. No great
amount of discernment has been re-
quired to convince any ordinarily in
telligent observer that land matters in
Texas, during the past four or five
years, have not been managed rs was
desirable or possible. 1t Is not
intended, in saying this, to cast stone
at Mr.. Walsh, the present head of the
land Office. Mr.. Walsh is an honest
and conscientious man, and has no
donbt discharged his duties to the best
of his ability. But despite this fact,
the trouble grew more grave and COM
piicated until public opinion forced the
legislature to deal with the evil by
institutipg the investigating commits
: sion, with which Mr.. Patton's name
: is so honorably connected. This COM
| mission was not equipped with extraor-
binary resources or facilities to prose-
cute Its work. In fact, it had many
difficulties to contend with which
: more generous legislative action
: might have obviated. The result
, of its work is well known to any clti-
!, zen who cares to read, and it is an eX-
hibit that tells, in practical terms, of
services to the state and the cause OF
' honesty. Frauds, that were prosper
+ Gus aud unblushing, have been en-
posed, swiudlers have found out that
u period Of reckoning must come, and
7. honest men have been encouraged to
q hope for better times. If the accounts
q read in the state dailies are correct
aud have not seen them disputed
c the land fraud board will save 10 the
e state Ut least three-fourths Of q million
acres of land, and the returns are not
"a all in vet. This is a result and its
value is not 10 be under
Is estimated. 1t is his record, rs the
j, leading factor in bringing about sucf
IS a result, that must make Mr.. Patton:
n candidacy something to be viewed
!. with satisfaction by men who are no
. given to sentiment ana who hold tina
IL test and demonstration of merit arr
at circumstances to oe considered in Gle
No waiting men to high positions of public
trust. If Mr.. Patton has succeeded il
Sc doing so much as member of tn
r. lani-frauds commission, it occurs t
I'd your correspondent that he will Prov
ar equally, and perhaps more, valuable "a
u the head OF the land office. And an
OF other, but not the least, importan
,e, consideration: 1t is generally under
al. stood that Gov. Ireland an
bo Mr.. Patton, on land matters an
politics, are en- rapport and harmon
nj ious. Can as much be said of Cox
D. Ireland and Mr.. Walsh? All the in
ms dications point to Ireland's renomins
ha ton and election. Is it intended
~ hamper his administration with mer
en- at the heads of state departments, VIII
he will prove persistent opponents of tn
rti- executive policy? If so, Ireland
inf usefulness must be marred he wi
NV not have the fair chance that he d.
se- serves. 1t will hardly escape publ
no. mention them which are pronouncet
n, ly hostile to Ireland are conspicuous
VI friendly to Mr.. Walsh. There
'ge significance in this fact, an
900 if Ireland's friends are wi!
ex- they will not overlook
49, Ex-Gov. Roberts, if he cared to il
vi dulge in "reminiscences of his tW
'ed administrations, could doubtless te
nta how pleasant it is for governor
NV have departmental head as an opp
nent and obstructionist of eXecuti'
- policy. The people will remember I'll
'Go episodes wherein exComptroll,
vas Brown set himself up mo matter no
, of honestly as an antagonist Of Go
,,,o hpOeIto l,)Icy. lrtldilu oughJ W Ia
ave at least fair chance in the next tw
ing years. He has had anything else thu
Tres far Complications that noboC
the dreamed of a year ago have environ'
his administration and bedevi @ hi
au- day by day. He is entitled to hea
to of departments who will
feel least work with him in "a broad al
% intelligent spirit. These are some
~, the reasons that impel Endorsement
'he the spirit that is looking to MIR. PATTI
IN a as tn man who eau best fill the DO
III lion Of land commissioner. Mr.. Wall
heir has been honored by the people, al
can retire with credit. Let US have
'e new deal and more harmonious a
and ministration than the one now closi,
has been. A sound public policy {
mands IT.. Respectfully, G.