The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-05-29
Texas POlitleS.

1t would be difficult to imagine a
more faulty piece of original states
manship than was Coke's first admin
istration in very many leading feat
ures. About the best thing connected
with it-and that surely was a grand
quality-was its utter and rugged
honesty. Not dime was stolen, not
cent of the states revenue was
ever misplaced. Everything of that
kind showed up faultlessly. But
the general land policy was wretch
eddy bad, and we are only to-day
reaping the fruits of it in the
vast bodies of the states valuable
domain, which is passing at a ridic-
ulously low figure into the hands
of foreign and domestic combinations,
syndicates and the like. Coke was the
first democratic governor after the
dark days of reconstruction and the
people in their great gratitude for
their safe delivery from the woes of a
foreign domination, deiied the man
and generously forbore the criticism
which would have been both statutory
and wise. AT the close of his first
term when it was proposed to pledge
him not to be candidate for the SEN
ate before he could be admitted to
the Galveston convention, the indig-
nation of the people knew no bounds.
He went to that convention and was
nominated by reclamation when
it was certain that the succeed
ing legislature would send him, as it
did, to the senate AT that time Coke
was but a crude statesman. He was
an excellent lawyer and fine bust
mess man. He had wonderful native
strength and he labored assiduously
until now he is grand power in ma
tional influences. All this promotion
he owes to the generous devotion OF
friends and the party which gave him
no unstinted confidence, and whose
forbearance was equal to all his faults.
Coke fully deserves all that he ever re-
ceived at the hands of the party or his
friends. In those days he was
confronted by Mr.. ireland of Seguin.
1t was bitter war between them, and
when Ireland stood before Coke in the
race for the senate he stood no more
chance than did the typical "bound
boy at a shucklng." Times have
changed, and in the fuLness of the
rich and rounded policy of Coke. it
became desirable that Ireland be made
governor. The tactics which made
Coke success in spite of events is to
perform the same Office for Ireland
Coke wills that Ireland have another
term, another trick at the helm of the
ship of state, and afterwards seat
in the senate upon which to take
a dignified and very pleas
ant rest from all his la
bors. This is wonderful change
and the people naturally seek to find
the motive. You see you can hardly
American voters from reason
ing on the situation if you would.
They have reached this conclusion:
Coke wants third-term. Now there
is just little, but very pronounced
little opposition to third-termism
among the people of Texas, and the
outside objection added to
that feeling might play havoc
with Coke when the present
term is over. One of these difficulties
IS that according to oGr ideas of geog-
raphical fairness west Texasis entitled
now to a senator. At present, and for
The last two terms, central and north
Texas has had all the honors. There
s little feeling over the matter, and
f Maxey can be detected and Ireland
tent to Washington, Coke, being GEN.
rally located, will have little difficult
y in securing the third term. But
With any other section of the State in
he field, with a prominent man to
he front, the bolt might fall on Coke,
md the beautiful toy of the term then
70 giimmering from his grasp like
he will o. the wisp. Thus it is that
Joke became the staunch political
riend OF the sage of Segnin. This is
ow the sage OF Seguin can