San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-01-13
SOUTHERN RepUsLIcANIsM.

The fight wakes warm against War
mouth, of Louisiana. There Is very
little republican unity left in the
southern states, and this is the real
trouble, the true secret of the situs-
ton. Having little or no hope OF
state preferment and not much more
tor congressional elections, the old
leaders and Office holders of the party
are intent solely on controlling the
federal patronage within their several
states and congressional districts.
Having rendered themselves obnox-
ious to the conservative element OF
their sections either by personal or
official actions of questionable char
acter they are not willing to accept
the situation and retire to the rear.
Deeming it better to leign in hell than
serve in heaven they force their I'M
desired way into every movement
and essay to lead it, conscious that by
so doing they give ita death blow, but
careless of the consequences as their
one desire is to prevent all others
from leading that they may he &C
cepted at federal headquarters in
Washington as the true and only re-
publican leaders. This policy put
Malone at the head of the republic
can party in Virginia and put the re-
publican party at the tail of the pro-
cession by vote that ought to be
decisive for Mahonism for a century
to come. The same condition of
things exists in Louisiana and in
Texas, only in Texas there is scarcely
even pretense Of state organization.
so completely are the old reconstruc-
ton leaders Instructed and refused
following, and so persisently do these
old leaders push their leadership to
the front, that the rank and file of
the party, outside of the personal fol-
lowing of the few who look for federal
pap, are only conspicuous for their
utter Indifference to the party move
ments in the state. The resumption
of power by the republican party
has only served to mark more
distinctly the lines Of irrecon-
cilable difference between Ito Q
who assume a party leadership with
outany party following and those who
would be energetic republicans could
they be so without giving a SEM
blance of authority to the old bosses
which they cannot consistently do.
the matter of federal appointments
has not materially helped matters.
The republicans for Office only have
met their share of recognition in the
distribution Of office. The opponents
of the old gang have scored some sig
nal successes, and neither party can
claim a victory. The result will ne
cessarily:oe strong attempt to con-
| troll the next state convention by the
opposing factions, as each will see in
the result an approval or disapproval
| of themselves which will credit or
discredit them with the federal
authorities at the national capital.
The situation con tains little that is
encouraging for republication in
Texas. Matters are so shaped
that the old fight will be
waged in all its former intensity,
and the control of the state conven,
ton, for the influence such control
may have upon the national leaders
will be bitterly fought for. Were il
not for this strife matters in Texas
Mould show very different for the re-
publican party. There are two Oh
three congressional districts in Texa:
that are republican, but the republi
can nominations are defeated by the
jealousies of other republicans, anC
two of the congressional districts O
this state were so lost to the repub bill
can party in 1888. What 1890 will
witness cannot be now foretold in re
gard to congressional contests. /
the same policy is pursued as in 1888,
the same results will follow. If per
sonal rivalries are discarded for tn
good and success Of the party, ono o
two congressman can be returned +
} represent the republican party In tn