The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-05-13
COL. SWAIN WAS RIGHT IN HIS VOTE.

Gen. Ross in his speech, last Saturday,
tried to make capital of the fact that Col.
Swain voted, last summer, for Indiana
limestone in preference to some Texan
stone, to be used in building the new state
house. Nothing could be more suspicious
for Col. SWANS candidacy than the dis
cussion of this question, as it will result in
a boomerang on Gen Ross; because the
people of Texas will learn, before the can
vass is over, what the truth is in this mat
great state will acknowledge Col. SWANS
craftsmanship, in that he, together with
Attorney General Templeton and Land
Commissioner Walsh, protected the inter
ests of the state in a business like way,
and accepted the superior sample of lime
stone no matter from whence it came
Neither the law, the contract, or
specifications required the limestone
should come from Texas quarry
But limestone was demanded, a
sufficient quantity, uniform with the stan
dard sample, could not be obtained in
Texas, the legislature refused or failed to
make provision for change from lime
stone to the much more expensive gran
lite. Then what alone remained to be
done?
These men, Swain, Templeton and
Walsh did not propose to relieve the con-
tractor of the obligations of $2500C0
bond, simply to pander to sickly senti-
mentality, or any species of demagoguery.
And voting as they did they
not only caused the contractor
to submit a proposition, which led to
the building of the capitol of Burnet
county granite, but also, to the widening
of the interior walls, and constructing the
dome of dimension instead of rubble
masonry, thereby rendering them safe and
substantial; while the construction, &C.
cording to the original plans, had been
declared unsafe and improper by leading
architects and engineers throughout the
United States.
There is no better Illustration of the
wise, business like attitude of Col.
Swain on this subject, than by compar-
ing the actual condition of the rapid and
satisfactory progress now being made
upon the capitol building, with Col.
ton of reporter of the Houston Post,
on this subject of false sentiment versus
duty; it being most fit response to
Gen. Ross assertion that Col. Swain vio-
lated every sentiment of state pride in
favoring the de mand of the capitol syndi-
cate, to go to state 1,5OO miles distant
to procure limestone for the building.
This was the same question put to Col
Swain last summer, and he answered it
as follws, in the Houston Post.
eyes, but sentiment is bound to give
way to duty, and it is the duty of the cap
itol board to see that the new state cap
itol is built, and that for the lands agreed
upon. There was no preference. There
was no choice. 1t was Indiana stone and
the enforcement of the contract for the
erection of a great structure, at the cost
agreed upon, or forced abandonment of
the contract, with no chance for the state
to recover damages. 1t was to take that,
or entail upon the people of Texas
chance for jobberv which would take
twenty years and millions of money to
liquidate. These are just conclusions,
carefully gathered from facts and the his
tory of capitol building in other states.
especially New York. l have a sentiment
for Texas that goes above and beyond
such sickly notions of granite or lime
stone material. 1t goes with the execu-
ton and performance of a sacred trust
imposed upon public official. 1t goes
into the future greatness of her people,
and the development of her resources
with such means as are given by law.
| cannot submit to sentiment that would
subvert duty; that would disregard and
override vested rights; that wotld teach
us to annul our contracts and bankrupt
and disgrace our people.
Take-it-Easy and Live-long are brothers