The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-05-01
The jug Handle.

Inc present campaign LOT Ine ueln-
ocratic nomination for governor is
almost, if not entirely, without prece-
dent. AS yet nothing like comp
tent or even plausible opposition to
the incumbent has been offered. 1t is
an anomalous condition truly, and we
are not to jump to the conclusion that
there are no democrats other than
Ireland who want the place. In this
case appearances are very deceptive
indeed. 1.-The woods are full of the
willing patriots, but they are conscious
that they are outside the ring,
and it is no use trying to
cross its charmed boundaries
until the political planets are pro-
pitious. Interests supposed to be all
powerful both at Washington and at
home, have discouraged the bringing
out of perhaps the only two men who
could enter the race against the gov
ernor at present, with any show of
success, Ross and the ''old Alcalde. %
1t suits not the combination that
either of these two come up, or that
Ireland be beaten. 1t is down on
the cards the other way and there is
ouse kicking. 1t does not matter
that the "old Alcalde" is growing old,
and will soon pass away; nor does it
matter that Ross is in the prime of a
vigorous manhood, land although one of
the clearest headed brainiest statesman
of Texas land the times have need of
him he must not offer because it
suits net the little scheme of substitu-
ton now so quietly going on and be-
ing arranged for in the Texas repre-
sentation at Washington. In this
way is arranged the retirement of
Gen. Maxey, and of Mr.. Welborn two
years hence. 1t is no use for them to
kick against the arrangement any
more than it is for the governor to re-
fuse to fulfill the high destiny marked
out for him in the same way. or the
people to object to either. 1t all de-
ponds upon the skill with which the
the combination is made and the
geographical distribution of honors. 1t
suits the combination that the next
senator comes from the southwest
rather than the northeast. With both
of the senators to the north of the
center line the people may become,
doubtless will become, FESTIVE, and
due provision must be made in time
Thus are we relieved kindly of the
trouble of arranging matters. Doubt
less it is heavy burden upon the
shoulders of the delegation at Wash
ington, but is it not proper they should
bear it are they not the servants of
the people They would not stop
there, but would, with equal devo-
ton to the service of their constitu-
ents, arrange to bear also the bur-
den of the representation of Texas
in the national democratic con-
vention. The devotion of our no.
BILE delegation is as boundless as the
ocean and about as deep; we will not
say as 'onsartin", so far as the hopes
of the new lot are concerned.
In this way comes it that his excel
lent excellency has the delightful Jug
handle condition at his back. In this
way does Ross, Oran M. Roberts, j.
r. Fleming, and the small army of
groomed expectants find themselves
absolutely without personal political
ambition this year. In this way is it
that Col. John Peter Smith finds 1t pa
triotic and congenial to repress his
soaring ambition to the extent that the
OF the obscure spot where
the panther did, and the Gazette will
lay down-fills him to OVERLOOKING
with the fulIness of accomplished pur-
pose. 1t is comfortable state of |
things for the men who are in the |
but rather CALLING we
should say for Maxey and WellDorn,
as for Ross and the others. Here we |
would pause and make prediction
only for the old proverb which de-
,lares that prophet is not without
honor save in his own country. Other
wise, we should be inclined to predict
f ever.the democratic party in Texas
s overthrown it will be by and through
he general protest, indignant and
lot, which is sure sooner or later to
,ome up against this close corpora
ion business in politics. 1t is "agin
latur" for human enthusiasm to re-
main thus at fever heat for years and
e..rs without having an occasional
one to gnaw at, in the shape of party
atronage, or at least party recogni-
ion. When they do kick out, it will
e done with emphasis. There win
g no small or obscure words spoken.
The best and safest steed on earth
ill become FESTIVE when refined too '
ght or for too long a time. To I