davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12
Congressional Reflections.

The situation has been completely
changed with regard to the race for
congress by the emphatic declaration
of Judge Hancock, to the effect that
he would not make the canvass. AS
the STATESMAN said yesterday, the
two central figures now to the frontin
this end of the district are Judge Ter
rell and Col. ]. T. Breckenridge. We
mention these two without the inten-
ton or desire to be inyidious or par
tial. or to prejudice the claims of other
gentlemen into whose bonnets the
congressional bee may have buzzed.
Judge Terrell would make splendid
congressman. He is an able, eloquent
and adroit man, in the prime of
vigorous manhood, and with all of
his faculties in full play. Indeed there
are few men in the United States con-
gress to-day who equal him in all
that goes to make up an efficient rep
resentative OF the people, and there
are none who surpass him.
His services to the state, to the dis
trict and to Austin and Travis coun-
ty. have been many and important.
His career in the state senate was
one. honorable alike to himself
and to the constituency which has so
often honored him, and which has so |
generously confided in him. He was
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12
Delegated Power.

The question of delegated powers
was that which divided political part
les in the earlier days of our existence
as government. 1t is the principle
so ably expounded by Jefferson, and
so adroitly controverted by Hamilton,
that the people are sovereign, and that
all men and measures are constantly
amenable to them; that laid the
foundations of the democratic party
so deep in the popular heart, that all
the phrensy of modern greed for fame
and for money, has not as yet been
able to entirely uproot it. Patrick
Henri saw with prophetic ken, and
proclaimed with words Of burning
eloquence the antagon1sms which ex-
listed between delegated authority and
democratic principles.
The trouble with the Texas democ-
racy has grown out of the centralizing
schemes which have taken all actual
power out of the hands Of the people,
delegating it to a few managers-po-
it1cal bosses in nominating conven-
tions. The ballot is left in the hands
of the people but of what use is it
when its exercise is limited and and
prescribed by taking from the voters
the power of selecting representa-
tives, either in nominating conven-
lions or in the public offices. The
present convention system most eff
fectualiy muzzles the voice of the
masses. To illustrate: Who do the
delegates to the state democratic con-
vention represent? The county con-
ventions do the county
conventions representa- The pre-
cinct convention-Who do the
precinct conventions representa- The
ward conventions. Who do the ward
conventions represent? The citizens
of that particular ward. Now this
four-wheeled mechanism may look
very well. theoretically it is very
nice, very fine, and all that. Practi-
cally 1t is entirely too fine, so fine in
act, that the sentiments of the masses
Of the party are entirely lost, while
their voices are heard only in the
election of the nominee. In proper
ton as we remove the nomination of
officers from the masses, we remove
the election from them, and hence re-
move the responsibility of officials to
the masses for their opinions and con-
duct. This fact is already illustrated |
by the conduct of the cute and |
successful politician of the present. If !
he wants an Office to whom does he
apply? Nomination is equivalent to |
election, and If the people nominate, I
then he would go before the people
with his views and proposed meas
Tres, and seek their approval and en-
as was formerly the Gus
ON. But this is not the method of
Tour sleek, moder democratic Office
ecker. He ir' the masses. He
lespises the h IS, and avoids the
as lie would the plague
lie looks wise, and critcises any one
nd everyone who expresses an
pinion at all at varience
With the party methods
L
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12
Practical VS.. Sentimental Politics.

In politics, as in religion, and we
might safely say all human thought
and action, the tendency is, either to
the practical, that which has for its
purpose and effect the accomplish
ment of certain object, or the senti-
mental, that which will Illustrate and
enforce upon the mind certain idea.
Both lines of thought and action are
good in their time and place. The
mind being the parent Of action
should be impressed with pure and
lofty aspirations, in order that it may
give birth to noble action. 1t is as
an instructor and promoter that the
sentimental idea is useful to mankind.
For the accomplishment of given
results, the practical alone is useful
We may say further, that the chances
for the successful accomplish
ment of a given purpose, are lessened
in proportion as the sentimental idea
is given influence in the prosecution
of the design. Successful work for
the accomplishment of given pur-
pose, must be based upon an idea al
ready well conceived and matured,
leaving the.whole force of the mind
free for the work OF execution.
The democratic party opened the
present campaign, in organizing the
present house of representatives,
with a well defined object.
In the election of speaker that object
was clearly stated and endorsed by the
party. Up to this time the ethical or
sentimental idea may have been use
full to the party in deciding It's policy.
But now that the object Of the party,
that is, the leading object, the issue it
will make with the reigning party, is
decided upon, formulated, and declared
to the world; we insist that only the
practical idea, for the accomplishment
of results, should be given place in the
| councils of the party. We see in the
effort to overshadow the great practi-
cal idea of tariff reform, the OBJ
ject of which Is to benefit the
masses by substituting the SEN
timental idea of denouncing the
election frauds of 1876, the object of
which is to teach the peoplel the
fatal error which will ensure the de-
feat of the democratic party.
The two ideas will not work in har-
mony. They appeal to different mo-
tives and desires. The one aims at
the Improvement of the material con.
dition of men, by lessening taxation
upon the necessaries of life. The
other aims at the improvement of the
morals of the people, by condemning
the fraud Of 1876.
The one is living practical issue
the other dead issue, sentimental
| idea
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

tanism, of a weak and envious man,
or set of men, who would create class
antagonism, and prejudices, that upon
these they might ride into a position
which they can never hope to reach
upon their merits. 1t calls to mind
San Francisco, Kearny and his sand
fiat orations'' Apart from thieves and
beggars what class should be regarded
as not being working men,?
The wealthy. as class, have accumu-
lated their riches by hard study, fru-
gal living and close application to
their business. The love of gain
grows with the acquisition, and
the toree of habit is not to be shaken
off by the changed conditions of life.
From both of these causes, to say
nothing of the higher motives of am
bition, and a desire to be useful to
their fellow men, wealthy men, as a
class, are hard workers. II
they do not do manual labor,
their minds are busy evolving plans
by which hundr eds and thousands OF
other hands are kept busy. The COM
mercial classes are perhaps the hard
est workers in the human hive of in
dustry. With them the day of toi
does not end their labor, but is follow
ed often by night of thought anc
care.
The professional men, the lawyers
doctors, preachers, teachers, editors
none of these are considered drones
Their work is felt and appreciated il
every civilized community. Witt
these, as with the farmer, the me
chanic, the day-laborer, they earn thei
bread by toll. Among all classes, IL
every avocation of life, this decree il
heard. 1t is of universal application
However easy the exterior life of TIT
man may appear, if he is accomplish
ing results, if he is earning his bread
he is exerting either mind or muscle
He is one of "the working men,
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

THE communication from work
ing man published elsewhere to-day
holds no ambiguous or uDmeaning
language. 1t is a shot from the
shoulder, and it goes direct to the
mark aimed at. The charlatanism and
demagoguery exhibited in the late So
called laboring mems meeting can
never catch the intelligent and patri-
otto working man who is no mans
easy willing dupe. 1t is time for the
working men to trample down the
demag ogues who would make STEP
ping stones of their bent backs upon
which to mount to positions In which
there is no labor done. The columns
of the STATESMAN are always open
for the expression Of honest senti-
ments whether of the working or
other classes Of the citizenship of the
state.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

and party officials. His democracy
consists in devotion to the ticket. He
does his electioneering with the men of
influence who will control the ward
meetings. The ward delegates will
manage the precinct conventions, they
in turn will control the county con-
vention and these county delegates
will make him solid with the state
convention, which dominates him.
What cares he for the masses? He
feels his accountability alone to those
from whom his nomination comes,
and who in fact, not in theory, nomi
mates him.
Now for the remedy-the getting
back into the old methods of democ-
racy. 1t lies in the recognition
of the old democratic principle
the people must exercise the
power vested in them. They must
nominate, as well as elect their officers.
Let the masses refuse to delegate
their authority to nominate except in
county mass meetings and you will
see and feel and hear the influence and
voice of the best men in the county,
and the voice of the small politician
the claquer the hustler, and Of the
bosses will be hushed and dumb for
ever. Then you will see the candi-
dates once more before the tribune of
| public sentiment, the germ of demo-
cratic power, the visible personality of
the majesty of governmental power
the people themselves. speaking to
them in person instead of wheedling
and cajoling the bosses-the managers.
They will instead, ask the people for
the votes necessary to elect, and the
occupation of the middle man, the
boss, will be gone forever, and our
party life will be cleaner, our official
life be infinitely purer and better.
Delegates appointed from such an
assembly as this to represent their
county in convention, would feel thei1
responsibility, their accountability
directly to the central power, the PEG.
pie, and they would voice the senti
ments of the people in their actions
A small pebble will divert the cur
rent of a riv1let, whilst a single boul
der will not affect that of a river. L
: is the influence of these small pebbles
the corruptions and impositions upor
the primaries that is so powerful,
and so mischievously affecting ou
party life. These modes sadly requir
review, amendment and substitution
and the sooner the masses of tn
party set about the task indicated, tn
better it will be, not only for them
the party, but the nation.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

THE Express is in an Ill humor
about the estimate people put upon
its anti-two-thirds attitude, and its
high tariff idiosyncracies. If paper
will persistently advocate leading re-
publican doctrines, it ought never to
complain If other papers set it down
to be at least of doubtful democratic
davntiOn
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

The absorbing topic yesterday was
the Chicago convention, and when the
balloting commenced the interest man
ifested was painful in the extreme
THE STATEsMAN's bulletin boards
were the centre of an interested crowd
from II a. m. till the shades of advanc-
ing night cooled the heat of both the
day and the interest. 1t was a char
acteristic American scene, and fur
nished subject for painter, of no
mean or INSIGNIFICANT character.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12
Working Men.
The following bill was circulated on
AZ ofraafo Loot -,

The following bill was circulated on
the streets last Saturday:
"There will be a public meet
ing of the working men and
all those interested in fair,
square and impartial administration
of our city government, regardless of
politics, at che court house, on Satur-
day night, May 81, at 8 o'clock"
Who are they7 or would it not be
an easier question to inquire, who are
not working men? TO see meeting
called ''of the working men" to coua-
sci together and decide upon measures
of public concern, tells at once of an
evil spirit of demagoguery in our
midst-a social or political charla-
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

A TWELVE page daily in Waco is
too much of a change, too good thing
to have been dumped down in night,
as it were. Let them try an eight
page journal for a while, and we are
of the opinion that four will be found
equal to the business for some years
70 coma
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12
The Texas Situation.

A few days since we showed clearly
the dangers attending the democracy
of Texas by and through the ability
the personal popularity and the aetiv-
ity of "Wash" Jones, as in the serious
lack of these qualities in the pre-
chosen Zimmerman of the democracy
The object, animus and intent of the
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

MR.. ILLINGwoRTH comes back at
MIR. Sam. @. Walker In brief note
this morning. Mr.. 1. is known as a
truthful, cool-headed man, and his
statements would be widely received
wherever he is known. We trust the
the officials of Temple can make bet
ter showing than this.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

THE Gazette will slip up on some of
is schemes as sure as guns, and ione
of them will be its raid on the bold
Barney. Barney has the most seduct-
lively winning ways with the people,
and he can well afford to do some
rough junketing with the papers. The
Gazette fights Barney with a bad
grace, because it knows that those
Illustrators and exemplars of polit-
ical good taste, the ladies, and the pa
pers, are solid for the swart senator
from Dallas.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

delegates fifty to represent the county
in the deliberations, discussions and
action of the state convention.
Any instruction for. or endorsement
of a certain policy, concerning which
there is a division of sentiment in the
party; or of a candidate or candidates,
for state offices, by county conven-
tions, is wrong in principle, and des-
tructive of the best interest of the par
ty and the people.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

THE ladies of Travis county should
take immediate steps to organize a
county exposition society to insure a
perfect exhibition of the products of
all kinds at New Orleans. Mrs. Win
kler will be here soon, and it would
facilitate matters to have some sort
of preliminary organization before she
arrives. THE STATESMAN will hold
its columns ready to assist in any
and all ways.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

THE STATEsMAN's weekly paper is
a compendium of Texas news, views
and sentiment. 1t is the largest
weekly in the state, and invaluable to
send to those friends out of the state
who are seeking information about
Texas.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

THE talented Austin correspondent
of the San Antonio Times had Wash
Jones write-up yesterday which was
a finished and graceful piece of pro-
fessional work. The Times Is for
tunate in its w1de-awake representa-
tive near the court of King Ireland.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

THE STATESMAN is obliged for
tickets OF admission to the celebration
Of the fourth anniversary Of the Ger
man agricultural society of Travis
county, held June 7th, at PFessssr's
garden
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

THE Galveston News is very irreg-
ular in its visits to Austin. This Is a
subject of much regret, for say what
you will of the News, as newspaper
it has grown to be necessity, and
any failure to arrive is always keen
disappointment to the people, and to
none more than the STATESMAN
the nonpareil column is so delightful.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

HON. JOE D SAYREs is spoken of as
probable aspirant for HaneOck's
place. Joe ought to be able to make
a strong run if he really entertains the
idea at all, which we very seriously
dOuht
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

The new managing editor of the
Dallas Herald had big Islander case
on his hands ere he got his legs well
stretched under the tripod. There's
nothing like experience In these mat
tiers. But this is devilish rough ex
perience, too, we must admit.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

THE lady who adds one more rose
tree to the productive forces of home
adornment, is entitled to rank in the
social economy higher than the gen.
eral who wins battle, no matter how
bloody
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

THE local elections are exciting in
terest now, but somehow the boys
are rather slow about announc-
ing. Are they afraid that the an
nouncement will set the teaches upon
them? If so, there is something in
1t, and it remains to be seen If it will
pay the candidates better to consult
the power of the drinking mob than
to win the papers and the sober clti-
zenship of the masses Of the people.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

LORD AYLEsFoRD is in scrape In
England and has had his legs broken.
"The Judge" would have better show
for his white alley on his western
ranch In the wilds of Texas.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

Mr.. LOGAN is not just filling the
bill as candidate, which his lovely
little wife had sketched out for him.
They who would climb the slippery
paths of politics to fame, must not
cry out, If occasionally they slip
down to the bottom again. 1t is the
fortune of political warfare.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

If THAT Waxahachie lady persues
things vigorously she has a good case
against the Herald. just how such
a SANDER could creep into paper no
one other than the initiated can ever
understand. We trust the lady win
relent and not crowd the Herald too
far, or too ardentIy.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

'IMBoDEN's cheek has softened
somewhat of late, but it has been at
the expense of his hard heart, which
has grown vastly more finty, sine
ne sees his hopes for the abrogation of
the two-thirds rule one by one taking
unto themselves wings and flying
away.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

GEN. STANLEY has been well
shaken into his new quarters in San
Antonio, and is rapidly familiarizing
himself with his new command. The
heroic old soldier is grandly welcomed
in Texas wherever he goes.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

In Texas the white republicans
shucked the negro with little apparent
difficulty. In Chicago the negro
shucked Powell Clayton with a ia
cility which was not only phenomenal
but aWfuiiy irritating.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

FLEMING is an honest man, who
has at last climbed to the place where
he can well afford to indulge himself
in that native candor which Is such a
charming trait in his character.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

SUBSCRIBE for THE STATESMAN
during the campaign. 1t will keep
you posted whether you like its poll
tics or not. No live man can afford
to be without 1t.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

THE surprise is that Dallas man
has been found to confine himself to
the modest allowance of two wives,
not that he had two.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

GOOD heavens! am 1 really within
reach or a seat IN congress is the
thought which fitted yesterday
through many patriots brain.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

THE Gazette makes strong fight
for free grass and another against the
two-thirds rule. Isn't it a great pity
that all this energy is not expended
upon democratic instead of repub-
ican idea? The Gazette Is really an
excellent paper, able, alert, and very
bold. But its present course is not
leading it into the bosom of democ-
racy, but away from the old land
marks. 1t probably knows its own
business best, but we are entitled to
the privilege of complaining when an
ostensible democratic paper goes off
in this way after republican gods. We
would make any personal sacrifice
to restore this great power In
Texas journalism again to the
true fold. 1t gives us no
real pleasure to be called upon to chide
it. On the contrary quite, great
pain. But this is duty we owe the
party charged with the task of work
ing out the grand destinies of this vast
empire of the southwest. We love
Texas, and love her democracy espe-
cially. dearly, and we will never baulk
at a duty, however unpleasant and
thankless it may be. 1t is not toe
late. The Gazette has time yet tC
bear up on the right course ere the
August convention meets, or before
the issue between democracy and re
publcanism is joined in November.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

ONCE the Laredo Times was a very
sprightly paper. Here of late it has
fallen off vastly. 1t strikes us that,
being on the borders of Mexico, and
at the very outlet of the railroad bus
mess of that country, it ought to find
material enough to spice up a larger
paper.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

THE STATESMAN had the honor of
call from Mr.. A. H. Latimer, the
apostle Of temperance, now on lee
turing tour, and bevy Of fair ladies,
VestafdaV
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

THE Express invites Austin to trot
out her dark horses now since Han
cock has come down. Dark horses ?
What are they? We've the man here
who will go to congress, and he isn't
a very shady guam tity, either.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12
soon recover

THE following circular letter has
been issued by Maj. W. M. Walton, of
this city:
AUSTIN, TEX, June 4, 1884.
My name will go before the demo-
cratic convention, at Houston, in Au-
gust, for nomination as attorney-gen-
eral of Texas. Whether nominated or
not, 1 shall use my best efforts to
secure the election of the whole ticket
that may be put in the field. If nomi-
mated and elected, / will perform the
duties of the office faithfully. honestly
and to the best of my ability. IT compati
BILE with your views, as to the interests
of the state and your relations to other
aspirants for the position. would be
gratifed to have your friendship and
good will. / am in no ring-belong TO
no combination-but desire the voice
of the people to be heard.
No one questions the ability of Maj.
Walton, nor his fitness for the office
to which he aspires. He has served
the state in many ways and in trying
times, and in every capacity has been
faithful.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

HANCoCK's defamation yesterday
was wet-blanket sort of an affair
To none more than THE STATESMAN
which has stood by him So long and
with such devotion.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

THE candidate is now giving his
mind mostly TO the nominating con-
vention, what little of that commod-
ity he happens to be possessed of.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

Ross Is perhaps the only man who
can pour oil on the troubled waters
In quantities likely to do the least bit
of good, and he's bottled up.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-06-12

FORT Worth and free grass. TIL e
Gazette and its hobby. They are all
badly ridden and well-nigh ready for
long rest. Let 'em enjoy it.