The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-05-29
Congressional Interference.

| 4hO 44UUlO OP1OOAO OO1uO L1OuUIlD
Since, in which it was sought to teach
the doctrine that no representative to
the national democratic convention
could possibly equal in force of char
acter, ability and general fitness, a
member of congress walked the people
up a little. There were no
exceptions. Very ordinary represen-
tatives were put into the pot alongside
of illustrious and brilliant men. The
simple quality of congressman was
thought to settle all sorts of claims,
either as to intellectual, moral or pc
litical fitness. No questions were to
be asked, as to how the member
stood on Vandalism, OF any
| other party test. Under the rule
sought to be set up, Tom Ochiltree
was as fully and completely eligible
as John Hancock or Dave Culberson.
1t took but little time to knock the
conceit sky-high. A few common
sense objections were filed, and Mr..
Congressman found that he had been
elected to discharge a specific duty,
and he was expected to attend closely
to his knitting. That the people of
Texas were competent fully to attend
to the question of representation
in the convention, and that they
were preparing to do it in their
own way, and at their own
chosen and proper time. Nor was
this sentiment uttered In any
honeyed or softened phrase. Very
vigorous was the hardy Anglo-Saxon
in which the words were couched.
There was no mistaking their mean
ing or the earnestness with which
they came from the lips of stern,
watchful and wary men. The craze
to send congressman to the national
convention having measurably passed |
away, it may be well to indulge in a
few reflections on the subject gener-
ally.
We have an elective judiciary,
more's the pity, and it would look
rather queer should the judge of any
one of our district courts claim to rep
resent by virtue of his office the coun-
ty in the state legislature. A sheriff
would have the same right, and
the county judge could claim
with as much reason that he, too, was
the only simon pure representative of
the political sentiment OF the people
who had elected him. How ridicu-
lous all this. Aside from that there
is q question of fitness of propriety,
not to mention delicacy, which should
operate to keep office-helders out of the
convention. They hold places in con-
gress by the votes of many men.
While great unanimity might have
prevailed on the original subject of
a Representative to congress, yet it is
only reasonable to suppose that some
division might exist on questions like
ly to come before the national
convention. A really delicate congress
man would hesitate long ere he would
place himself in a posi-
ton where he might be forced by his
own convictions, or by his preferences
for Sam Randall, for instance, to vote,
work and stand for a policy, or for
men, which would cross the hawse of
the very men, OF some of them at least,
whose votes gave him scat in one of
the highest representative bodies on
earth. 1t is a wonder that this consid-
Grafton did not force it elf upon the
before they inspired
,allow clerk to write and telegraph
the fierce and burning desire to Texas,
from the national capitol. 1t seems
20 US that this would have been, ought
% have been, the first reflection after
he desire to go to Chicago was first +,
BORN in their blossoms. 1t was not, !,
md hence THE STATESMAN, as well ,
IS other papers jealousy Watchful of
he interests and privileges OF the peo-
lie, were compelled to speak out the
General disgust for the Overlapping !
ambition in no half-voiced tones