The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-07-31
The State Campaign.

lous. Nothing like it has ever occur
red before in the politics of Texas.
Governor Ireland went into Office with
the smallest majority any democratic
official has received since the state
was wrested from the hands of the
radicals. Notwithstanding the fact
that he has lost ground from the very
inception of his administration, that
he is weaker now before the people
than he was then, yet so perfectly has
he organized the administration forces
that there does not seem to be the
least show for any other man before
the convention. He has used the Off
cial patronage OF the state skillfully
and for but one object, re-nomina-
ton. To this end all things have
bent. Half this attention to
the public business would have made
his administration a splendid success,
whereas, as it is, it is indeed a most
dismal failure, and so it will remain
while he directs its destinies. We can
well understand why the governor
should desire another term and why,
being the mamie il, he should accom-
plish Lis denomination with the
means in hand, but why the people
should submit to it, why they should
calmly bow before the sage of Seguin
admitting all the time his weakness,
Is what we can not understand. From
one end of Texas to the other-and
that means something Ire
land organization is a close compact
concrete whole. There is no doubt
about it. 1t is perfect. 1t is made
and was concluded, and had
the convention occurred in July there
had not been the slightest chance for
his defeat. But as it is, the time for
reflection since the county conven-
lions met, has been ample for cool re-
Election and an impartial inyestiga-
ton. The result has been that the
loss of strength on his part has been
very marked, and it IS perfectly evil
dent to all capable and impartial
observers. If there was he al to the
opposition, some one capable of lick
ing it into shape, and Of organizing
and directing it, the effect would be
simply crushing to the administra-
ton. AS it is it is astrong powerfully
built but undirected political force
The leader will spring to the
front, however, when the Hous
ton convention meets, anC
then all will be enabled to see how
much might have been accomplished
had the proper organization prevailed
1t is all folly, the sheerest folly, t.
claim that the office of governor OF
such a commonwealth as Texas must
go begging. That there are no cit
liens who covet the honor Of filling
the position. 1t is an untruth, bu
we grant that there are few men who
like to take the chance of fighting ;
man who has at his back the entir,
patronage of the state, and whose eff
| lulu ldNO OCCh duI1 DULL SllC IlICSLCN
to the one sole object and care, re
nomination. There are fearful odd
against any outside aspirant. W.
grant it cheerfnlly, but the undenie(
and undeniable truth is that the yer!
g circumstance that he seeks to use
3 these advantages is an element O.
r weakness. The people of Texas d.
t not very greatly relish such use o.
the governing functions. They might
: tolerate it's exhibition in a strong
l man, but the weapon in the hands OF
l a weak man, such as this blessed gov
) ernor of ours undoubtedly is, acts OF
. the boomerang principle, and often
, nay! always, returns to plague tn,
7 thrower. 1t is doing 80 in this in
l stance, and were sufficient timt
I afforded, even now, Mr.. Ireland al;
e his over-confident friends Woul(
/ experience such a whitening ant
crushing defeat as they haV'
) never before experienced. In fac
if there is developed at the Houston
: convention sufficient spirit of opposi
| ton to induce the presence IN the fielC
OF man of character and force, tn
, correctness OF this assertion will b.
, grandly illustrated. That's now the
purpose, and we do not donbt but tina
it will be carried out, and thus will b,
applied to the administration a very
, competent test as to its real rathel
than its asserted strength. This
loudly vaunted strength is but shell
Disconnected from the power of thu
state administration it would prove
but the baseles5 fabric of a vision, {
thin, unreal, uncanny political vision.
Every day but adds to the number
and character of the opponents of the
administration. The failure of the
San Marcos convention to consider
1.-The Tesolutions endorsing the Ireland
administration was and is very
= significant circumstance. Hayes coun-
ty is claimed and has always been con.
sidered one of Ireland's strongho.ds.
1t is territory II his own home baili-
wick, and still so veteran and deter
mined is the opposition to him that
his friends do not dare press the reso-
buttons to decision, but they igno-
miniously withdraw them, thus prac-
tically and forcibly acknowledging that
the opposition is too strong for them.
What is true of Hayes is true
also Of many other counties. Indeed
we believe of a majority of the coun-
ties in the state. When these are all
crystalized and acting together in con-
cert there will be music in the air to
| be sure.
The opposition should now COM
mence in dead earnest the work of
close and careful organization. 1t can
be done. There is yet remaining to
us sufficient time for this and such
step Is necessary. Il strong and de-
termined effort will defeat the sage of
Seguin beyond question. Otherwise
with vast popular democratic major
ity against his nomination, we will be
compelled to go to battle again under
his banners
CIeveland's Campaign,
Tho ouiot dirDi6od ooponairp If |