Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-08-07
STATE POLITICS.
Views Of Col. Thomas R. Bonner on the
Issues Of the Day--0ur Next
Governor.
Free Speech at the Houston Convention
Let the Northwest Stay in
the Union"

u GAZETTE pilgrim can add his pres
ence TO the charms OF the governors
cosey little cottage?"
A deep, rumbling voice, electrically
translated, meandered over the wires
In treply; 1t was not difficult TO inn
agine the well known portly form Of
the late Temporary national chairman
before the phone, and his answer was
fully expected: "Ha! No, OH no
hum! i am entirely too busy; quite
busy, and cannot see a newspaper
man,
The newspaper man would not have
lost his cunning had 1t been essential
to bring the rcportorial augur to bear
on the busy ex-governor; but IL was
not necessary to beard the lion; only
an opportunity 10 the governor to
relate some of his Chicago experience,
and perhaps by way Of incidental
protection for personal fences, touch
upon current state matters. There IL
reason TO believe that the most promi-
nent citizen Of Smith county had far
rather trust himself in the hands of
his friends than TO newspaper man.
IL Is, left "A matter of speculation az TO
whether the governors second reason
for such retiring modesty IL that opin-
ions i'm cold type are difficult of revis-
ion-and the present Is delicate time
for committal of ones self. Pleasant
at all times in his contact with the
press-gang, 1t IL yet true that
he seems to Ieel that he
falls into the hands of the Philistines
when cornered by the faberitcs.
Whatever has been declared by Gov.
Hubbard with reference to his not per-
hitting his name to 20 before the
Houston convention, not few Of his
friends at once think of the governors
desire mt the Fort Worth convention to
impress upon that body the great prob
ability of Mr.. Tilden's accepting the
presidential nomination; this, In the
face of the telegram which so crushed
Gov. Hubbard's hopes. However, his
fellow-citizens of this district may
think of the governor as IA candidate.
Certain it is that great pride would he
felt on their part to again have the
gubernatorial chair filled by their dis
tinguished neighbor, believing him TO
be the strongest possible candidate be.
fore the convention and In oppt sition
To Ireland.
hut there Is also pretty well-defned
hope that President Cleveland viii
net portfolios, and 1t is looked upon as
"A very likely thing
As elsewhere over the state, such op-
position ~ exists here against Gov.
Ireland is not unified and the full
expectancy of those who have weighed
the matter III that Gov. Ireland has
naught To fear. But conventions are
sometimes mighty uncertain aud it be-
hooves us, brethren, to have our lamps
filled, sails set, fences mended, light
ning-rods up--use any metaphor you
will.
Col. Thomas Il. Bonner, now "A prom
inent banker oil Tyler, was formerly
very active In politics, but has partici-
pated very little since the defeat of his
friend Gov. Hubbard at the Austin
convention In 1873; but he keeps up
with the current, maintains his inllu-
ence and Is always ready TO express an
opinion ON any topic of interest to the
general public. In its desire to pre-
sent every aspect Of the matter, THE
GAZETTE sought out Col Bonner AS II
representative man of his section and
his opinions following voice that por-
ton of the intelligence of East Texas,
honest in their conviction that free
grass Is not desirable, but lust
enough to acknowledge that they
may yet learn more about
IL by further Investigation; hence they
do not wrap themselves ain dismal
thinkings," hut heed the call, come,
let us reason together
The anti-lease-law advocates have
asked no more than hearing of their
cause, the righteousness of which car
ries with II its own conviction, and
men of Col. Bonners stamp. by their
desire for fair play, put to shame those
who prefer making threats to sit
down ON the subject.
What do you find to be the senti-
ment of your immediate territory ON
free grass" this pilgrim asked.
THE matter concerns this people
only remotely, and hence it has not
been agitated and IL not generally un-
derstood; The people here will leave
To their delegates to the Houston con-
ven,ioh such action ~ they may deem
proper, when the question shall have
been discussed before that body. Thes:
delegates Will expect TO hear the sub
ject fully elucidaled at Houston, and
ns one OF the delegates | want TO saw
that whatever may he the final action
oil the convention, the North and West
Texas Democrats are entitled TO be
heard on the subject, II will be mat.
ter OF great Injustice to deny the right
OF free, full aud fair discussion on this
or any other subject In which they
clam To have such Il vital Interest,"
law?n
1.-THE laws of the state permit a
man 10 own 900 or 100000 acres of
land In one body, IL should proiect
MN In the sole use and enjoyment
oi II, whether to fence 1t for pasturage
or otherwise, subject TO the general
right OF passage or roads over and
through 1t. Ii the laws authorize the
lease Of the public lands, and the
lessee pays q valuable consideration
therefor, he Is alike entitled to use Il
subject to the same restrlctions ms
As to whether the law which AN.
thorizes such lease Is wise ana lust Is
another thing. II all the public lands
OF the state were leased for a term of
years Ia large bodies 1t certainly would
tehd 70 prevent Its settlement; but as
understand II, very small portion
only or the public domain Is leased.
aud hence cannot well see how the
leasing, thus far, has prevented the
settlement OF any considerable portion
OF the country.
Great care should be exercised In
leasing the lands, that the watered and
more desirable sections be not leased
SO as 10 prevent either the lease or set.
Element Of other large bodies not 40
well formed. la the absence of mora
information than now possess On tha