The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-05-03
MIR. WILKES STATEMENT
In Reply to the Charges of M. G.
Harris.


hire him to cease his scurrilous attacks
against the construction of the new state
capitol This attack was not unex
pected to me. have bern in.
formed time and again, through
friends of Harris, that he was pre-.
paring TO renew his attacks and that he
could be purchased, but refused to pur-
chase him. He he's been threatening to
make a statement every day since the leg
islature convened, and has made it con-
venient to let the word get to me, in
order that l or the citizens of Austin, who
are anxious to get the use of the state
capitol for the drill, would pay him hush
money. I was informed, this morning at
10 O'Clock, that Harris had his article
prepared to put into the Dispatch, and
| was advised to go down to that office
and see it, which [ refused to do. As far
back as year ago gentleman came to
me who claimed to be representing Mr..
Harris, and wanted to know if was will
ing to put up money for the influence of
Harris paper, which l promptly refused
to do. Harris began his attacks on the
destruction of the capitol in November
last.
The capitol board employed three en-
inent architects to come to Austin and ex
anime the defects which he claimed existed.
They made thorough examination and
in their report comp etely refuted the
charges and indicated the contractor.
The statement of Harris, that 1 ever
offered or attempted to bride him, or
that 1 ever authorized any friend of mine
to bribe him, is absolutely fa'se. Some
thr.a n n
came to me and informed me
that he had had converse
ton with Harris regarding the capitol,
and that Harris had intimated that his
paper could be silenced for $1,000. These
articles published IN the Dispatch, though
false and unfounded, were exceedingly
annoying to me, as they tended to create
suspicion in the minds of many per-
sons, who we're unacquainted with Harris
methods and plans, that there might be
some defects in the building. 1 told the
party to find out all he could from
Harris, and the next day he came and
told me that Harris had demanded as his
price certain house and lot in the city
of Austin for himself and $500 for the
paper. | then and there refused to accept
his proposition, and the matter rested.
was approached few days later at the
Driskill hotel by gentleman with whom
Harris claimed intimate friendship,
and was told that for a.
homestead in Austin and $500
the articles in the Dispatch would be
stopped. 1 again refused to pay him one
cent. l then communicated to Major
Holmes, the governors private secretary,
the whole transaction in reference to the
propositions of Harris, and asked his ad-
vice, and he told me to let him go on with
his articles and pay no attention to him.
Again | was approached at the post
Office by a gentleman in position
to know the motives Of Harris,
and he informed me that
an article would appear in the
Dispatch that would cost me 100000, and
that the matter could be stopped. 1
stated then, in the presence of witness,
that would not pay one cent 70 have it
stopped.
The same party about two weeks
ago stated to me that he had heard Nose
Harris say that he intended to
make the charges he had brought
against the capitol building cost me from
$4,000 to $4,000, and said the matter
ought to be fixed up. replied as l had
done in every instance, that l would not
pay him one cent. About ten days ago
the same party who had approached melon
the subject at the Driskill came up to
the capitol building and told
me that he had seen an article
that was to be published in the
Dispatch, that attacked the capitol build
ing, and advised me that l had better
stop the publication. l replied that
would not pay one dollar. have re-
peated to number of my friends the va
rious propositions that have been made
to me, and it has been no secret in Austin
for over week that Harris was holding
back his article and threatening to pub |
fish 1t in order to extort money from me. |
About three weeks ago Harris followed |
me to the Travis county court house, as
l was going home, and asked me if
could help him with $1,000 to take
up draft at JAS. II. Raymond's |
bank; that he had bought a |
new press and had paid $3.50 on the press,
and that the $1,000 had to paid next day.
l told him that 1 could have no transaction |
him that l had no doubt but that il he |
WOulu stb MT DuJlST, VIII Hdu HlOHy GO
loan, he would probably let him have the
money if he would give him the
proper security. l never furnished |
Mr.. Butler any money to loan him nor
him to loan any money for me |
On any account. never agreed, contracted |
Or had any intention of paying Harris
one cent to stop the publication of his
articles.
l have at all times been willing and |
anxious for any lawful and proper inves-
.igation of the work done upon the build
ng, and am willing to stand or fall by |
The results. now request and insist that |
,he honorable legislature now in session
employ the most experienced experts that
IAN be found - investigate the build
ng and point out wherein l have failed |
II a single instance to comply with the !
contracts.
Harris charges that have had THE Aus
I'm STATESMAN and other papers subsidized
n the interest of the capitol building. 1
tate that this charge, Ii Ike ell the rest of
lis statement, when he charges me with
bribery, is false, and that l have never
paid a paper in the state
)ne cent except for regular advertise
nents, the same as | have the Dispatch
IN different occasions, as my books will
show.
l have no reason to fear any fair and
honest investigation of the work on the
!, NnAs "a. L. |