The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-10-04
Good Sound Democratic Talk.

To the Editor of the Statesman.
AUSTIN, September %, 1888.-In your
excellent remarks on County Politics."
in the issue of the 26th, you say, speaking
of the independent candidates, "here the
candidate nominated the party" This is
true only so far as the candidate is strong
enough to dictate to the convention. But
is this true of the present so-caled Gin
dependent ticket"
B fore the republican county conven-
ton met there were several candidates for
more than one Office. The convention
endorsed" or nominated one for each of
fee, and the others promptly with
drew. Does any one suppose that if the
convention had nominated Mr.. Christian
Wilhelm for treasurer, that Mr.. Ed. Ander'
son would not have withdrawn? Or If
Mr.. Frank Alley had been nominated for
county attorney that Mr.. Campbell would
now be in the race? How then can either
of these be termed independent any more
than their competitors on the democratic
ticket? Again Judge Glasscock, hav Ii
discovered that he had no show for the
democratic nomination, stated that he
would run independent" provided the
republicans did not put out man.
Was not this a direct bid
for the republican nomination? And
when they accepted, or nominated or Cen
dorsed" him, is he not to all intents and
purposes the republican candidate? An
other alleged candidate is Judge Sheeks,
who is perhaps better entitled to this po'
sition, as he seems willing to run whether
anybody endorses or even votes for him.
For this is not the first time he has run in
opposition to the democratic nominee.
In 1878 he ran for floater, causing the de-
,at of Mr.. 0. Archer, the democratic
nominee, and the election of j. L. W. Loe
But when the republican conven-
ton nominated him he became the
regular republican candidate, and should
bear whatever may attach to such posi-
ton, since he expects to realize all the
benefits IN the way of votes which fall 10
such nomination.
Now, the truth is there is not an inde-
pendent candidate in the field who has
any show of election. The So called Sin
dependent tlcket'-some of whom may be
elected - is neither more nor less than the
republican ticket. Many thoughtless peo'
pie, disguised with the evils of the con-
vention system, look with favor OF
Un6 INT OppOoAVO PotVJ1 49, :
that they are indeed independent
When, if they would examine
for moment the manner in which both
tickets were nom mated, they would see
that the open public manner of the
democratic nominations is far more
preferable to the secret committee doingf
of the leaders of the republicans. And
yet many democrats often vote for these
political creatures of nondescript afilia
tions. 1t is, or was, an axiom of the
democratic party to support principles
not men," 1t matters but little who NJ
the offices, but it is of supreme importance
that democratic policies should govern
and to this end it is necessary that TIT
democratic party stould be strengthened
ia every way possible. How IS this to be
done by giving the good things to those
! who spend their time, Influence anc
money to defeat the party upon who's
!, continued supremacy depends all hope o
. good good government as well as tn
|; rights and interests of 100000 people
DEMOCRAT,