Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-02-25

tllclT uiSposai, nave accomplished all ina
! could reasonably be expected OF then
Time Is requisite to develop each OF ther
into that measure OF usefulness oxpecte
and demanded
R.-Will the prohibition question b
considered by the next state convention
and what do you think should be the pol
Icy on that lssue2
Gen. Ron the question OF prohibi
ton, ] hayealready announced my view
publicly and given the reasons upol
which they were based and have seen n,
occasion since for any modification O
those views. | am opposed TO prohibi
tion. AS 10 "local optionv ! do not re
gard that as any more an issue than an,
other constitutional provision. The PEG
! pie OF Texas have declared In their organ
ic law that precincts, cities, and countlei
shall have the right to determine fol
themselves whether or not liquors shal
be sold In their respective localities, ant
know of no disposition or purpose OF
the part OF anyone to agitate q repeal oil
the provision. When that question came
up for discussion In my county last sum.
mer, opposed lts adoption for reasons
satisfactory 10 my judgment as citizen
and In so doing aligned myself with many
personal and political friends and entago.
nized the Views Of others equally as hon.
est and as dear TO me. regarded the
Issue then raised as more local than
political, aud all parties were represented
In the ranks OF both sides. | sec no oc-
casion to raise a political issue on this
question In our state convention and do
not suppose any such issue will arise.
II 1t does, shall not hesitate to align
myself according TO my convictions.
R.--Wbat are your views OF the Texas
libel lawI
Gen. RI am constrained to think
that the recent Michigan stat
ute on the subject of libel Is
Just to the press and sufficiently pro-
tectlyc OF the citizen. This statute pro-
yides that In actions for libel the plaintiff
shall only recover actual damages, II IL Is
made to appear that the publication was
in good faith and did not involve criml-
nal charge, and was corrected by the de-
PENDANT as soon as appraised OF It's falsity.
Actual damages Is defined in the law TO
be such damages as the plaintiff NAV
show he has suffered in his property,
business, trade, profession or occupation,
aud no other damages. No recovery In
any case TO exceed $4,000.
and actual damages. In addition to these
statutory regulations think the plalntiff
should be confined 10 one action no mat
ter In how many places the paper is cir
culated; but am not in favor of restrict
ing tho venue to the county In which the
newspaper IL published.
X. VIII the knights of Labor or Far
mcrs' alliance have any effect on the next
Democratic convention or inaugurate All
independent movement
Gen. RI am not In a position TO know
the purposes or aims of these organiza-
lions, but am under the Impression in
general way that both organizations are
protective rather than political. | as.
sumo, however, that the members intend,
at least in their individual capacities, TO
have voice in politics. They ought TO
have as they constitute part OF the citi.
zeuship OF the state, and the interests
they seek to advance necessarily call for
political action, So far as my information
extends, there Is no purpose on the part
OF these organizations to inaugurate an
Independent movement, but no doubt
their influence, to n greater or less ex-
tent, VIII be manifest In our politics. NV |
business as a farmer entities me to say
OF that class, without prejudice to Others, |
that they have been decidedly the most |
patient aud acquiescent In whatever pub. |
lie policy pursued. They have been un.
able or unwilling to resort to those |
means of union and concert which other |
interests employ for their advancement
and promotion and have not appealed, and I
thlnk do not now appeal, for special priv. /
llege, but only demand fair legislation and |
Impartial administration, So far as the
knights OF Labor are concerned, | know /
nothing OF their purposes except as gath /
ifed from tue press, but do not hest.
iate To say That | cannot withhold my
sympathy from these men In their strug-
&c 70 better their condition, But no
rue friend would advise resort by them
% aWless methods In the attempt to
lchleve this desirable eud. Arbitrary
ma nlgh'handod methods on the part OF
organized capital, which have tended TO
give origin ana volume TO the labor
movement, should be corrected by peace
ul and lawful methods rather than bv n
summary stoppagc OF Industries, par
Ilysis of commerce and trade and ibo
losing OF avenues OF employment all OF
which entail ruin upon the community
md serious losses TO innocent parties.
These antagonisms between labor and
'upltal have begotten state of affairs
not contemplated in the original frame
work OF government, and some Imme.
late action Is essential, in my Judgment,
n order topreserye the peace OF society
md the rights OF property and indlyidu-
us The state must provide some trl.
'unal Tor the settlement of these dis.
,utes and controversies. Open alike to
he laborer and the capitalist corpora
ion, with ample jurisdiction to hear and
determine, and full power and authority
o execute It's judgments. Not being a
awyer, ! am not able to say definitely
whether any OF our present court ma.
hinery could be adapted TO this purpose.
| not, new tribunals should he created
or that purpose under the powers
fantod the legislature Ia Rticlo
; section OF the Con-
doubt the efficacy of any
ystem OF arbitration based, as il neces-
arlly would be,on the consent of parties.
NJ would be willing to see It tried. What
; needed and demanded Is the speedy
ettloment Of these controversies by some
lethod just and fair alike TO all parties
nd to all interests.
H. Speaking of courts, general, sur-
ests that IL Is generally supposed Won
pposed the present judiciary article In
ur Constitution. Is that SOP and have
our Views undergone no changer
Gen, r. Yes opposed the present in.
iciary article in the convention. | thought
zen aud think now that It was absolute
necessary to the state, 20 say nothing [
the rights OF the citizen that our high, !
I courts should be so constituted ~, "a t