San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-12-22
THE ROCK ON WHICH WE SPLIT.

"Judge Osterhout predicts that the
republican party of Texas VIII go 10
pieces. This is certainly novel pre-
diction. If there is any such q thing
as republican party in Texas, the
hope of getting share of the spoils OF
office is all that is supposed to hold 1t
together, and it would be rather
strange and unaccountable for 1t TO
split now, when after four yesrs OF
waiting it has a chance at the loaVes
fishes.
The Banner has no love for the re-
publican party and the affection
may be mutual, but at the same
time there is more suspision OF
truth in the above than is eX-
actly agreeable. There are hun
dreds of republicans, as there are
thousands of democrats in Texas who
live in the hope of securing an
office. This may be excusable
in a democrat who lives in a state
with party majority of 100000 and
who is committed by party traditions
to look upon ''postoffis" as the gate to
paradise, but is utterly inexcusable in
republican who is supposed to know
something of civil service needs and
the requirements of civil service re
form. There are few men in Texas
who are supposed to be all potent with
the present administration. These
men are besieged night and day with
letters, petitions, demands, inter-
views, recommendations, etc., in the
interest of would-be Officeholders
until their desks are literally crammed
with such applicantions. This state of
things is growing so notorious that
it is matter of general comment. 1t is
disgraceful to say the least Of it, this
itch after the pap of public office. Two
mistakes are made. No one man is
going 10 control the patronage of Tex
as, nor two men; the interest of Texas
will be more considered than the mere
question of a mans personal acquain-
lance with President Harrison or
some senator or congressman, and
those who imagine that any personal
recommendation are going down
with this administration will fail in
the calculations. In the second place
the rush for place, the itch for office,
the undue scramble will disgust and
ALLEVIATE those whom it is in
tended to conciliate and enlist
and the applications will fail.
This government has other work be-
fore it than that of feeding hungry Of
flee holders in Texas or elsewhere, or
making capital for ambitious pOliti-
clans desiring to control state patron
age. The spectacle presented by Tex
as republicans thirsting for federal
drink and hungering for federal bread
is not an edifying one. 'Twere far bet
ter to attempt to heal the dissensions
and jealousies of the party at home,
and thus pave the way for success
within the state. Nothing but the To-
cal jealousies of republicans in this
state keep up the large democratic
majority which weighs like wet
blanket upon the republicanism of the
state. Every well informed person
knows that the democracy have not
legitimate majority of 100000 in
the state. and that it's apparent
10000 majority is only due to re-
publican inattention and treachery.
Despairing of gaining control Of the
of the state the ambitious members
and would be leaders of the party de-
deliberately knife all applicants for
office, all rising leaders whom they
think might, in the future by any
possibility, grow into the eye and
notice of the party and so gain the
power of influence with national lead
ers. There is no manner of doubt
that the defeat of republican con-
gresham in the first district was
directly due to this cause. The de-
feat in the seventh was largely due to
the same cause; and the apathy and
indifferences ofprominent republicans
in this (tenth) district caused by
that spirit of jealousy, is responsible
for more than fifty per cent of the ma
jority given to Sayers. Judge Oster
hout's prediction is in a fair way Of
fulfillment if this condition of things
continues. There is no more doubt of
that than of any other event certain
to come to pass in the natural Sc
quence of things. 1t is for the repub-
licans of Texas to prevent it, and they
alone can, and that only by setting
down on the ambition which is so sell
fishly personal and envious that it
would kill off republican running
for office, for fear such man, if sue
cessful, would have an influence and
prestige dangerous to his envious. ri
val. That this is the situation in the
party in Texas is only too apparent.
Whether it will be remedied in time
to prevent the disintegration of the
party is question for future solution.
One of the most remarkable recor DIS
Of service noted recently was that of