The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-05-20
THE RACE FOR THE LEGISLATURE.


1t is thought by gentlemen who have
the best opportunity of knowing that Mr..
Felix Smith will in time be candidate
tor nomination by tie county democratic
convention for the legislature. Mr. Smith
is one of the best men in Travis cornty.
His large-hearted generosity and unstint-
ed hospitality and uniform kindness to all
men has been fully recognized and appre-
ciated, and he is, therefore, very deserv-
eddy popular in this county, but we think
Mr.. Smith, by his own voluntary action,
has barred himself from the privilege of
seeking this nomination or permitting
his friends from seeking it for him.
Before there was any talk of who would
be the democratic nominees in Travis
county for the Legislature, representative
of The STATESMAN sought an interview
with Mr.. Felix Smith, and believing
he was a representative man of the
interests of the county, asked him if he
would be candidate for the nomination
before the democratic county convention,
for the Legislature Travis county.
Mr.. Smith, said he would not be candi-
date, and being then and there consulted as
to who would be the most representative
man of the farming interests of the
county, and the best man to put forward
for the nomination, he unqualiiedly gave
it as his opinion, that Mr.. Emory Smith
was the man best suited in every respect,
as member of the legislature from
Travis county; whereupon, The STATES
MAN, after consulting with a number of
other county democrats, and ascertaining
that Mr.. Emory Suith was man of fine
ability, and identified fully with the
agricultural interests, not only of
Travis county, but of the
whole state as the chosen head of several
agricultural associations, followed the
suggestion of Mr.. Felix Smith and
others, and proceeded at once to advo-
cate the nomination of Mr.. Emory
Smith.
Under these circumstances, and with
this understanding, Mr.. Emory Smith
consented to become candidate. The
STATESMAN and Mr.. Emory Smith were
fully under the impression, from the in
tervew alluded to above, that Mr.. Emory
Smith would receive the hearty support of
Mr. Felix Smith and his friends, and it
would be unfair for the latter gentleman
or his friends to push his claims for the
nomination under this understanding.
1t must be remembered that this is close
county, and harmony in the democratic
party is absolutely necessary for success.
We are certain that Mr.. Felix Smith is the
last man in the county who would permit
his personal aspirations to interfere with
the hormony and success of the democratic
party.
Under these circumstances Mr.. Felix
Smith oEght to let his position be fully
understood at once. His friends say he
will be a candidate, and that fact is pre-
venting others from taking sides. If he
intends to be candidate, he ought to an
nounce that fact. If he intends to be con-
sistent in his original intention to support
Mr.. Emory Smith, he ought to say so at
once and remove fromthe campaign any
uncertainties or any disturbing elements
that would effect the good feeling and the
necessary harmony in the democratic
party in Travis county. If it is possible
to avoid contest before the convention,
as far as the county is concerned, it is best
to do so; and if that can be done by Mr..
Felix Smith taking stand at once, we
are quite certain he will do so.