Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-04-05
THAT RESOLUTION
Authorizing the investigation of
|. and G. N. Receivership.
SOME QUERIES ANSWERED.
The Matter Gone at in BungIing Manner,
and, il Appears, for Purpose.
Object of the Muss. It Is Alleged. Not Puri-
dcatioD of the Judiciary, nor the
Oyert;kIng OF ilnavery, but
Gripping of Others.
SOME QUERIES ANSWERED.


Special to the Gazette.
AUSTIN, TEN, April AFTER the intro
duction in the house Monday OF the resolu-
ton reciting charges Of q grave character
ggainst the Smith county Judiciary. and
those associated with the reccivership Of
the International and Great Northern rail
road. ana calling f0r III Investigation OF all
matters in connection thcrcwith.it was per
foctIy clear that such an investigation was
inevitable. Al doubt about il vanished
when the gentlemen concerned appeared
and made formal and pressing demand for
il, waving what they conceived 10 be their
constitutional rights, and insisting on the
fullest and most searching inquiry into
their acts, III whatever capacity, as fur IS
their connection with tine rcuciyership WAS
concerned.
But the question arises, did those wfo
are responsible fer the charges made and
the presentation OF the resolution go about
pears, q methoiiCdl and constitutional way
of doing such things that was not
observed in this instance. That way
is this: When u Judge or other state
functionary is suspected of corruption or
malfcasance in Office the proper and only
CONSTITUTIONAL WAY
to reach him is by fling charges in the
house of representatives against him. The
charges should De specific, and If that body
finds them sufficiently grave, it may prefer
articles of Impeachment against him ANA
cause him TO appear before the senate for
trial.
1t Is asked here why such course was
not taken against Judge McCOrdl Why
was it not done early in the session, when
he could have had his trial while the legis-
iature Is in session: Why was the filing
OF charges against him postponed until the
last few days of the session, when no trial
or investigation could be had before adj
jOucaREf4t7 Why We're several other gen.
E3neluded in the arraignment and
tthelr characters as well as his put under ii
cloud, and under the tongue of evil report
for months TO come? 1t is further asked
why was the resolution entrusted TO
member of the
ALLIANCE STEERING COMMITTEE,
who hawked it about the legislature for
days, and perhaps weeks, trying to lind an
Alliance member TO father it, and introduce
1t as his OWN
These and queries of similar nature are
being asked by members of the legislature,
who feel that ali Investigation should be
had, but want TO know why it was not pro-
posed in the usual aud only proper way.
To tnd, if possible an answer to these
questions. a gentleman was found who
cheerfuily submitted lis opinions on the
subject.
According"to his notions, the investigat-
character, and had little to do with an hon
est or patriotic purpose TO run down ras-
cality or purge the judiciary IF that
were the object" said he, lit would have
been inaugmated in regular form, and soon
after the legislature convened"
But that was not the object.
Said he: 1T was meant to smirch
number of men and have an effect on the
election of state officers
Hence the scope of the resolution and the
number of parties included. No matter
about their guilt or innocence, they have
been stigmatized and Kill remain so posi-
bly, until next August, when the inyesti-
eating committee is required 10 make its
report. Take the case of Judge McCord
for example. He viii probably be 4 candi-
date for reelection in 1892. It is easy to sec
how his prospects for reelection are af-
fected by the resolution. Suppose, how
ever, that his friends rally to MS support
and re-elect him, and suppose, also, that
the investigating committee find him guilty
of corruption in Office; its report will have
10 be made to another legislature, which
will have no jurisdiction in the matter,
since the wrongful actS-if such there
were-were committed under another and
previous term of Office"
This point it is claimed, was settled in
the Willis case in the Twentieth legisla-
ture.
These matters were gone over by the
gentleman in question merely TO show that
the object OF the muss stirred up by the
resolution was not the publication of the
judiciary. nor the oVeTtdking OF knavery,
but the Gripping of a few political antagon-
lists, and Il paving Of the way for the injur-
ing of others by inuendo.