The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-05-22
xMp eoNNER AND MIR. HoGG,

at the drummers' banquetin Houston,
Receiver T. r. Bonner of the Inter
national and Great Northern provoked
the widest applause when he declared
he wotild have no position in the gift
of the people if he had to ride topower
on the wave of public prejudice or
clamor. He warned against electing
legislature or a governor who were
opposed to railroads and corporations,
the great creators of States. In the
light OF Mr.. Bonner's generally under
stood relations with Mr.. Hogg, do not
such expressions as the above startie
and point note of inquiry as TO their
meaning?
A gentleman OF Houston sent the
editorial to Mr.. Bonner with g(Aote o.
inquiry, to which Mr.. Bonner replied
in two-column letter published in
the Post of yesterday. Following are
clippings of the.essential parts OF that
letter:
1 have yours of the 18th inst. in
closing a newspaper clipping from the
AUSTIN STATESMAN in regard to my
speech at the drummers' banquet in
Houston last week, and desiring to
know if am correctly reported. In
reply / beg to state that was called
upon on that occasion to reply to a
toast on Railroads" / spoke for
half an hour. or more on the subject
of railroads generally. A gentleman
who had preceded me had expressed
Incorporation to the election of Gen.
Hogg as governor, and in the course
OF my remarks l took occasion to say
in unmistakable terms that l was the
friend OF Attorney General Hogg and
was heartily supporting him for gov
ernor, but that l was opposed to some
parts OF his policy, as outlined in his
speeches, on the subject of railroads.
\
1 further stated that l was glad to
see members of the press from differ
ent portions of the State at this ban
quet; that many people were disposed
to regard railroads as monopolies that
were crushing out the prosperity of the
State, and bringing ruin to the agri-
cultural interests, and were unwit-
tingly kindling the flames of passion
and prejudice against railroads and
corporations; that such a course, in
my opinion, was calculated to deter
capital from investment in Texas that
in view of the threatening attitude OF
popular opinion there were now no
great trunk lines of road being con
structed in the State. In fact that
know of no new railroad building going
on except the construction of such
branches as were necessary feeders to
the trunk lines a'-eady in existence.
l cautioned them against raising a
cyclone OF passion and prejudice that
they would be unable to control and
that was calculated ultimately to en-
gulf its originators and retard the ma
terial advancement and prosperity of
our beloved State. l said that it was
easy for any man to ride into power
on a wave OF popular prejudice, but
that l thought the highest duty of
the press and of the statesmen of
Texas was to mould popular opinion
in correct channels, and not to unduly
excite the prejudices of the people
against capital in any shape.
/ further stated that was now and
had always been in favor of railroad
and that under the present
regulations, as prescribed by the con-
stitution and enacted laws now in
force, Texas had grown with marvel
Gus rapidity, and that 1 thought it
would be a mistake If the people should
elect governor or legislature with
extreme views upon this question, who
would likely enact such laws as would
embarrass the railroads already in ex-
istence and prevent the construction
Of new lines into the State.
X
AS to the last clause of the printed
you sent me l have to say
that my expressions have no other
than to convey my views
upon the all-absorbing question of the |
present campaign, viz: railroad regu.
alton. While 1 differ with my dis
friend, Gen. Hogg, upon |
The subject of a railroad commission
With plenary power, l am nevertheless
his personal and political friend. If
ne receives the nomination and is
elected governor, his courage as
eader, his patriotism as a citizen, and
lis ability as an executive officer
ought to be sufficient guarantee that
lie will not use his power to injure the
abroad property OF the State.
Should not Mr.. Bonner have used
tronger word than "ought~
To honestly and fairly state the case,
5 not Mr.. Bonner's position rather un-
enable? After so earnestly dwelling
lpon the impolicy of waging war upon
in fact, after adjuring the
,eople Of the State to treat the rail-
Dads kindly, to foster and cherish
heirinterests; after declaring it would
'e mistake if the people should elect
governor "with extreme views upon