Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-02-22
Am Eynloded Story Repeatal

The GAZETTE recently exposed vi
cious scheme of the Houston Post, In
which it was sought to make it APP
pear that Col. j. p. Smith was being
used as the central figure of n political
conspiracy having for its purpose the
elevation of that gentleman to the gov
ernorship as the representative of rail-
road interests. Col. Smiths friends
throughout the state at once resented
the slur so vigorously and indie-
nantly that the Post hastened to deny
that any reflection upon him was in
tended, but that, on the contrary, its
object was TO show that Col. Smith re-
fused to be made the instrument of the
plotters against the present admins
tration. The Posts apology was accept
ed as sincere by the friends of the in
jured gentlemen, who Were appeased
10y the profuse disclaimers of any in
tent to offend. In this state, where
Col. Smiths reputation is impregna-
BILE to back-biters, it was improbable
folly to continue the repetition OF tales
that nobody would believe. Cut off
from this field the author of the ex-
ploded sensation hunts the cover of
the st. Louis Globe Democrat, the
most disreputable villiiier of Texas
and Texans in the land, from which
to keep up his war upon n gentleman
whose conspicuous position offered IA
target for his aim. In that paper of
the 18th inst, he repeats his idle tale.
expanding it by the addition of other
particulars. Here Is the charge quoted:
Ofcourse ali the Northern and Northwest
ern members (Of the state Democratic COM
mittee) desire the convention held at Fort
Worth, and IL wRs especially noticeable that
ali of Governor Ireland's enemies favored
that location. The In ference Is that II, by the
time the convention meets, any headway can
he made against Ireland's denomination, the
scheme which was exposed in the Globe
Democrat, January 81, will be sprung upon
the convention and AN attempt made 10 NOM
mate Peter Smith OF Fort Worth. Being an
excellent man, convivial companion, large
ly Interested in the Fort Worth Il Denver
City Railroad, n stakeholder in nearly every
corporation In Fort Worth, the rep. ted con-
troller OF the Fort Worth GAZETTE. and IA
gentleman of great wealth and deserved pop
ularity. the outside pressure upon the con
yention would be equal 10 any demands up
on 1t, and regular Peter Smith boom In.
augurated.
There is nothing new in this, and
nothing that has not been shown to
be falsely put. The only additional
circumstance Is the statement that
Colonel Smith Is the "reputed con
troller Of the GAzETrE.p II Is appro-
pirate to remark that this is not true
In common with number of the
leading business men Of Fort Worth
who appreciate the value of
lirst-class newspaper, Colonel
Smith owns stock in the com.
pany that publishes the GAZETTE; but
he does not own controlling interest,
nor any amount approaching to ma
jority OF the stock, and the GAZETTE
sno more wedde to his fortunes than
to other az deserving citizens Of the
city and state.
Regarding the thrust at Fort Worth
as the point for the holding of the
state convention, II IS enough to dis.
pose OF the conclusions OF the whole
aftlele TO destroy the premises. Ii
may be that cal of Gov. Ireland's en-
emies favor that location, but II 10 not |