Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-06-26
Senator MatlOck Talks of the
Charges Against Hogg.
He lntimates that More Explicit Charges
Are to FOllOw-The Story
Fresh from Chicago.
Coniectures as to Why the Whole Expose is
Not Sprung on the People in One Dose.
Houston County Instructs.
MATLoCK INTERVIEWS HIMSELF.

cIeClAl 10 the GaLette-
DALLAS, TEN. June 20.-Hon. A. L.
Matlock of Texline, F. NJ. Maddox of
Austin. w. NJ. Spence, city editor of the
Austin Statesman, and other
anti commission and anti-Hogg
men met to-day at the Hall headquar-
tiers in this city for the purpose of con-
sulting and determining upon the course
TO be pursued in getting before the pub
lie in a manner satisfactory to them
selves, the charges emanatIng in Chicago
and made by Col. Abner Taylor of the
state capitol syndicate against Attorney
General Hogg. Aware of the fact that
they had tackled tIcklish work, and anx-
ious, If possible TO avoid another Faux
ner 5lunder, they decided that the best
course to pursue toward the newspapers
was for MIR. Matlock to interview him.
self and thus avoid re-
portorial questioning. When
therefore your correspondent
called at the Hall headquarters this
afternoon he was informed by w. L.
Hall that the statement had been given
by Mr.. Matlocl5 to the Times Herald re-
porter. and that this statement con-
tanned all the information Mr.. Matlock
CARED TO MAKE PUBLIC
at this time. Your correspondent ex-
pressing a desire TO see Ar. Matlook per-
sonally, he WAS informed that the sem
ator had just gone TO the Windsor 10
dinner. A short time afterward Mr..
Natlock was seen at the hotel. In re-
ply TO II request for an interview, he
said that he had just given the Times
Herald an interview III which he had
made full statement of his connection
with the proposed sale of land by
Attorney General Hogg to Col.
Abner Taylor of the state
capitol syndicate. This statement con-
tanned all that he desired TO say about
the matter now. 1t set forth the facts,
and he was ready now or at any time
MAKE AN AFFIDAVIT
as to the truth of the matter contained in
it. He was unable to say whether At
torney- General Hogg had any improper
motive i'll offering to sell the land in
question, but thought considering his
official position and the trouble then ex-
listing between himself and the state
capitol syndicate, he was guilty of an in
discreet act. Senator Matlock further
stated that he had been drawn into this
matter by others and did not want the
notoriety IL would bring upon him.
abuse and make him many enemies. He
spoke now only because it had been init
mated, however, that he did not dare
tell what he knew lest matters
TO NOT TO HIS CREDIT
might be developed when the entire
story was told. 1t was evident TO your
correspondent during his conversation
with Senator Matlock that the statement
- II IA
only a partial one. Indeed, he init
mated that if forced by abuse or personal
attacks to do so, he will tell all he knows
without reserve. Something is evidently
being held back until after Attorney
General Hogg shall speak, or until the
effect of the statement of to-day can be
noted.
Mr.. r. NJ. Spence, city editor of the
Austin Statesman, was also seen.
He admitted making trip
TO Chicago to get this land sale
story in company with certain parties
from Texas whose names, however, he
refused to dIvulge, but said that he sent
The specials from that CITY which con-
tanned the charges made by Col. Taylor
against Mr.. Hogg. Mr.. Spence admit
ted that there was ''more TO follow -
and indicated more by his manner than
his words that there will be music in the
air. He left for Austin on the evening
train. The following is the interview
given by Senator Matlock to the Times
Herald with the comments made upon it
by that paper:
Hon. A. s. Matlock, the senator from
the Panhandle, who, II was stated in tho
dispatch which sprung the recent scandal
on Mr.. Hogg's Official integrity, was IN
aSIn nf lam "a
which passed between the attorney-g
ersl aud Abner Taylor, the capitol con-
tractor, which would substantiate the
charges, arrived in the city this morning.
A Times Herald reporter found him first
ut the Windsor and asked for the docu-
ments. Mr.. Matlock declined to give
out anything, saying that he would meet
the scribe later in the day at Hall head
quarters. The reporter called during
the day and was rewarded with the fol-
lowing, which was prepared by Mr.. Mat
lock, whose excuse for his pains was that
he desired to be quoted absolutely cor
rect:
"Have you seen the report of the in
terview with Col. Abuer Taylor in re-
gard to the proposition of Attorney
General Hogg to sell the capitol syndi-
cate some lands in West Texas9"
"Yes, 1 have read it. -
alt Is reported that you could throw
some light on the subject if so disposed -
Yes, l see that some of the news
papers that are supporting Hogg are
demanding that l shall either show up
or shut up. l have not said nor done
anything that authorizes such demand.
The fact is, l am very much aTerse to
newspaper notoriety and have tried to
avoid being drawn into this controversy.
One paper in Fort Worth goes so far as to
intimate that it was probable that was
so mixed up III the affair that l could
not afford to say anything in the mat
ter.
81 have nothing to fear from an in |
vestgatiou of this matter. Gen. Hogg |
has not denied the statement of Col. |
Taylor, and do not think he will. l do |
not think a statement from me is neces- |
sary. Since the matter has got into its |
present shape l will say this much for |
those who may want light on the subject, !
that l was present when Col. Taylor |
had the conversation he speaks of |
with Gen. Hogg and that his |
statement is true. The fact is |
Gen. Hogg had proposed to sell the |
land to the capitol people through me for |
$40 900. told. him l was simply the