The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-05-15
The Old AlcaIde's Say.

To The EDITOR OF THE STATESMAN:
AUSTIN, May Z, 1884.-A few days
ago paper published pretended in
tervtew, in which am represented as
approving and otherwise speaking of
Gov. Ireland as a candidate for re-
election as governor, in terms which
induced me to deny that l had used
such language, and that l had not
been interviewed as represented. l
do not even know who the person was
that made the representation. l have
no recollection whatever Of having
been engaged in conversation with
any one at any time, from which such
representation could have been made,
by any sort of construction of any
words ever uttered by me. My denial
had no reference to the fact as to
whether the interview expressed my
sentiments, or did not represent my
sentiments, but was made simply be-
cause l did not wish to be put in the
position before the public, without my
knowledge or consent, which such ex-
pressions placed me, whether they
expressed my real sentiments OF not.
If l had said something in the hearing
of some person in a private converse
ton, which he construed to mean the
subStaI ce of the expressions attributed
to me, it was fragrant breach
of the proprietie5 of social intercourse
to publish it, especially in the shape
of formal interview, which was cal
culated to produce the impression
that was thrusting myself into pub
lie notice as the champion of partlc-
ular candidate. 1 have ever hereto
fore objected, and still object to such
treatment, whether properly repre-
scented or not, in what may have at
any time said in private conversa-
ton.
This denial of mine, coupled with
some alledged private expression OF
mine in favor of General Ross as a
candidate for governor, is used lin
YOUR paper of to-day to place me In
The position of being the champion OF
General Ross, should he become can
didate.
think 1 know Governor Ireland
and General Ross well enough tC
/ know, that neither of them would
feel fattered OF benefited by friend
lv newspaper, that would place me II
the attitude of boosting him on my
shoulders before the people OF Texas
as nv candidate for governor. Whlli
such an attitude would be unjust II
me, it would be tel-fo'd more unJus
to either of them.
I have never been vain enough t.
suppose, that my preference for on
man as a candidate for office, present
ed in a way, and at time to be re
garded as dictation to the people o
Texas in the selection, would amour
:. to ANYTHING other than an injur
instead of a benefit to him
| cannot allow myself to be so USED
AS you did not hear me say it, you
statement that would vote for Ros
with all my forces if he offers, was de
/ rived from some informant who d.
tailed it as a private conyersatio
: with me. Upon that your presents
, ton of the matter was founded, an
+ it is unnecessary now to call in que'
tion the propriety of doing it. 1t
/ sufficient for the present that shoul
saw that he had no authority to con
t municate such expressions as comm
D from me. And if this thing is keI
: up NAV find him and settle the ma
|. ter with him, when I may learn tn
] time and place of the private conve
i, sation referred to, and satisfy hi
f that never claimed to have "force!
!. staked out to elect any one, of whol
n l might be In favor. Why all tn
u talk in the paper as to who l ana
favor of Z? It seems to me vel
t small matter. If the object Is to g
e me committed to some one SO that
s cannot be candidate myself, it Is
Dor lost, for there is no sort of dal
s ger of that.
!. lido hope it will be stopped at one
d Respectfully yours. &c,
" O. M. ROBERTS.