The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-08-07
Governor ireland.

IL ID d ufluS dSIOHlonucuI tnob lAO
gentleman whose name we print at
tie head of this article has so long
ard successfully maintained himself
a, the surface of politics in Texas.
In fact, he could never have done so
in any other state, or a state less alb
solutely controlled by ring and clique
influences than is this state. Mr..
Ir land, while in no sense a states
m n, while he is but bungler, mere
tyro in politics generally, understands
well one thing, and that is how to
kf ep himself IN line with the ring. 1t
can never be forgotten how bitterly
Ccke and he were antagonized in the
not remote past. In fact, the
breach between these men was at
one time both broad and deep,
bloody and seemingly i'm
passable chasm, yet how perfectly it
has been bridged. 1t is but few
years since that Coke characterized
Ireland's defense of his advice to Hob
by, as an attempt toreduce the offense
from grand to petty larceny. Could
man say anything much worse of an
other than that? After using such
language, isn't it strange that we find
the stalwart senator pulling in harmo-
ny with Ireland? This circumstance
illustrates more forcibly than any
thing else could, the adroitness of
Ireland as ringster, or rather as a
ring beneficiary. 1t stands in the
popular mind that Coke is using
Ireland, when the exact reverse is
true. Coke can gain but little,
Ireland has but little to give, Coke
is omnipotent and can make or mar
any mans political fortunes in Texas.
Ireland knows this and notwithstapd-
ing the bad language used by Coke
not so far back that anybody has for
gotten it, Ireland yet stands within
the protecting influence of the Waco
Roscius and basks in his smile and
climbs from one political position to
another with unvarying success be-
cause Coke will have it so. There is
magic in the matter somewhere.
Somebody understands partizanship,
Somebody understands ring manage
ment, at least understands how
to gather advantages from it
when any are going. In this
is found Ireland's statesman
ship, if it may be dignified
with that name. One is astonished
that he has been able to placate the
Waco senator to the extent that he
does not now call him ugly names as
of yore. Not that alone, but that to
day Coke is actually in favor of Ire
lands present canvass, as he was of
the last, and that, too, in the face OF
the terrible Indictment he hurled at
him on the occasion referred to, further
reference to which is made in this
mornings STATESMAN.
In fact, we are forced to the conclu-
sion that this blessed governor of ours
is a manipulation, of parts. He
has striven to the front on
less capital than any man
now at the surface of politics
and he without adding in any way to
the sum total of his craftsmanship, is
booked not only for another term, but
the dear only knows how many more
or for what other and prouder POSI-
ton in the public service-the Unit
ed States senate, for example. He is on
his way there openly and avowedly, and
the same means which gave him the
governorship in the first instance, and
which will as effectively re-elect him
will do the business for the senate,
also. Is the governor asking this re-
nomination upon the record he has
made in public life? If so, then that
Hobby land business which was charac
terized by Coke insuch strong language
must have virtue about it which is
not apparent to ordinary people. In
or upon what other public act does be
rely, or depend to push his
claims at Houston. We can not now
recall one. There is nothing other
than the determination on the part OF
the ring to push him for all that is
out, and the rule which gives almost
any sort of man, two. terms in office
Ireland depending upon his ability
| public services. tact or fitness in any
way could not have the position. But
Ireland in accord with the ring and
pointing to the two terms rule can
have just what he wants, Is there
not something radically wrong in this
state of things? Is there not, some
serious fault in the way we do things
here, to render such thing possible ?
Is it not high time for the democracy
of Texas to call a halt and reconsider
It's modes little, before the masses
of its adherents become SO Disguised
that they will go to the ballot box
some fine morning and turn the whole
bevy of selGshness out in batch, and
IN the twinking of an eye. The dem
ocracy, or rather the management
and leadership of the party, has given
the masses some pretty hard nuts to
crack in the past, and this one is about
the worst that we know of. If the
tactics continue much longer, if the
same absolute, unbending and unrea-
sonable fix up prevails, the people
viii be compelled to "kick out of the
traces" It is not in human nature to
stand this thing forever. 1t remains
to be seen if our leadership has the
wisdom to make the change volunta,
rllly, or if they will be so foolish as to
wait until the people act themselves,
and only as they can act, by going
clear back on the democratic ticket
and give US few years experience of
republicanism or, worse still, indepen-
dent rule.