The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-05-15
The Old Alcalde.


speedily become thing of the past.
The Old Alcalde.
STATESMAN we present letter from
the distinguished Ex-Goveror Rob
erts, called out by newspaper state
ments, and comments upon real or
supposed statements made by him to
others. With the matter of the first
paper and its alleged interview the
STATESMAN has nothing whatever to
do. With what he says in regard to
this paper, we shall deal as frankly
as he has with us, and in
the same spirit of fair question of
right and propriety and of firm, fear
less and kindly 1ebuke. Govern
or Roberts must reflect that he
does not stand in the same rela-
ton to the ipeople that other men
do. A man who has ever once filled
so largea space in the public eye who
has directed the destinies of state
such as Texas, for so long time, and
who accomplished results such as he
did, never again becomes mere pr1-
vate citizen. His every act and utter
ance is Public property if it can be
legitimately come by by the newspa-
pers. Considerations of policy or re-
gard for private and personal friends
may operate to seal his lips, but for
all that the public is interested never
theless in obtaining the views enter
tanned by him, and will get them
usually, either by hook or by crook.
In these cases, of course, er-
rors and erroneous expressions
will be found. Bad or dishonest IN en-
seeking selfish or partisan ends, will
give to his expressions so obtained,
the direction they require. But all
men are neither bad nor selfish, and
the distinguished ex-governor is in
error when he assumes that the mass
of newspaper men do not feel as
keenly and as earnestly for the good
of the state as any official, either act
i've or off the stage. Itisn't all idle or
prurient curiosity, or even a desire to
be sensational, which prompts the
seeking of just such expressions
50 can be obtained alone from
eX. Governor Oran NJ. Roberts,
or Gen, L. S. Ross. Nor, can
we see or sympathize with the
cautious policy which seeks to with
hold or conceal these views from the
people. If Governor Roberts is off
the stage, if he but feels the interest
in public affairs which once active
participant, but now retired observer
would naturally feel in public events
why should not the whole world have
his yiews?L Why should they not be
published on the housetops if of suf-
ficient Importance? We do not see
the necessity or desireability of all
this concealment and mystery. Gov
ernor Roberts either approves or dis
approves of Mr.. Ireland's administra-
ton; he is either in favor or he is op-
posed to Gen. Ross candidacy. Why
seek to conceal his real sentiments
from the people who by their steady
fealty to him for so many years, have
won the right to know his real senti-
ments and to have his fully expressed
and honest views as guides to their
own action.
Gov. Roberts is an ex-supreme
judge. He knows that when on the
bench any nice, obscure point
of law suddenly developed upon him
he required time to write his de
cision. He would have considered it
a great hardship to have been com.
PEELED to give an opinion on
such case at a moments warn
ing; and had he done so, in
all human probability it would have
been full of errors. And yet, he re-
quires the utmost eXactitude in the
opinions and statements of a newspa-
per, which is created daily-a volume
in each issue, from crudely arranged
and difficult data. 1t certainly seems
to us that in this matter Gov. Roberts
is probably without intending to be
so-just little unjust and unreason-
able. Now he may rest assured that
the papers are going to have his views
if they can obtain them, and they will
be justifiable, after the recent letters, in
resorting to extraordinary means
to procure the desired information
His letter to us this morning is di-
rect challenge, and one we accept, and
we say to him frankly that we expect
to gather his expressions even from
the silent walls of his chamber, if we
can. All this extreme and sudden
delicacy about "thrusting myself upon
public notice" coming from one who
has been before the public notice for
a full half century, the governor will |
permit us to say, will be taken scum
grano sails
Governor ROBERTS may rest assured |
that so tar as THE STATESMAN is con-
cerned it made the statements which |
it did upon sufficient testimony, and |
quite as good as reasonable |
men expect of the newspapers in
every instance. 1t has no explana-
lions or apologies to make, and with
It's instructive love of fair play, places
is columns at his disposal for any re-
ply he may deem necessary, o. proper
20 be made. The last paragraph of
Governor Roberts letter conveys an
Injustice to many sincere friends, and
o THE STATESMAN no less than 9TH
rs. We would gladly support him