San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-03-03

mense power ana patronage, JUST lb-
augurated In Texas, with a majority of
at least 10000 votes 10 the state, and
backed by the national republican
party.
But more unfortunate affair than
this administration, never has been seen
or oan ever be seen. Upon the coming
In of this administration, IL is q matter
Of past political history in the state,
that the conservative or Hamilton re-
publicans, at once recognized Davis and
his friends as representing the repnbli-
cans OF Texas; ceased all opposition,
and rendered their support.
But Davis and his friends had on
their war-paint, and would have no
peace.
When the first, or 18th, legislature
met, II was found that several republic
cans who did not support Davis had
been elected to each branch OF the legis-
lature.
These republicans were at once eject
ed from their seats, although In many
instances their majority was thousands,
and in some Instances, they had been
elected without opposition.
But while these Davis men were hurl-
Ing their republican brothers from their
seats without limit or recourse, they
were careful to spare the democrats.
They were on the hunt. not for demo-
cratic, but for republican scalps, and
they got them.
was given the appointment OF all the
Judges supreme and district, and by law
all the district attorneys and large
host OF county and municipal officers. In
doing this, never did man make so
many mistakes, as did Governor Davis.
He selected judges without the slight
est regard for their integrity or capaci-
ty; filling many OF the benches with
men notoriously ignorant OF the law
and Of unssvory reputation for honesty;
and many Of whom had to be advised
out and forced to resign from positive,
corrupt practices. In his district at
torneys and his county and municipal
appointments he was equally unfortun-
ate.
In filling all the above places, the cry
from Davis and his secretary OF state
was "awsy with the republicans who
voted for Hamilton, you are prescribed
set OF men,"
And whilst raising this cry they
would, as by chance, tender a Judge
ship to such democrats as Silas Hare, or
Sam Bell Maxey, Robert FL. Taylor, and
A. b. Norton.
Davis had the appointment Of his Sec
Rotary Of state, his attorney general, his
adjutant general and his superintendent
OF schools. In making these, he made
one tolerable appointment, viz: his at
torney general; but never was any more
unfortunate In the other selections.
His secretary Of state proved the great
marplot ofthe administration.
haA HAunlnna1
executive ability and proved himself
vindiotive, malevolent and spiteful to
all his opponents, and particularly to
Pease, Hamilton, Haynes, Norton, SIN
clair. Sabin and the long list of great
Union men In the state.
His sdjutant general, with almost an
army Estate police) to command, was not
q Texas man at all, but retired army
man transplant into our state.
He WAS ignorant and brutal in in
stinct, and before Davis was more than
half through his term, this man, David
son, was a peCulator Of public funds to
the extent OF $4,000 or more, and q
refugee from justice, where he is to-
day.
In his selection OF superintendent of
schools, Davis was again attended by
his evil genius.
He selected retired army officer, not
irregular army man, but voluntary
army man. This man was stranger in
Texas, a foreigner by birth, and had no
experience In teaching or governing
schools, and with the poorest possible
education and training. In vanity he
equalled the peacock.
Our people, at this time, were hungry
for free public schools, and the 18th leg
islsture was more than prOfligste in pro-
viding revenue for schools; yet at the
end of Davis administration, our school
system was nothing, and under
this superintendent, the state had q
floating debt due teachers OF nearly or
quite q million of dollars.
The twelfth legislature under Davis
proved to be terrible curse, not only
In turning out OF their seats elected
members, but In legislation that aston
ished the world for its prohigacy and
want OF wisdom. But cannot trace the
legislation Of that body in this article,
but the villainy of that odOrous body
must remain for future article. But is
1t a wonder. without taking into &C.
count the infsmies of the 18th legsla-
ture, that Davis administration was
swept away as II by cyclone, by an in
dignant people? SITUATION.