The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-08-06
V0X P0PULI.
A MEETING OF THE PEOPLE Held
LIS g1GaT.
The Voice of the People is Uplifted and the
Burden of It's Plant is the Alien
Land Law--Free Express
ions Of Opinion


yesterday mornings STATESMAN, d
large number of the leading citizens
of Austin assembled in the Board o!
Trade hall for the purpose ofconslder-
ing the much agitated alien lien law,
and of discussing the advisability OF
calling state convention to see what
can be done in regard to it.
The meeting was called to order by
Mr.. Walter Tips, and
MAYOR JOHN M'DONALD
WAS chosen chairman. In few brie
words he thanked the assembly fol
the honor conferred on him. He
stated the object of the meeting to be
a discussion of the propriety of calling
state convention, to meet in Austin
TO consider the alien lien law. The
meeting had grown out OF the failure
Of the board of directors OF the
BOARD of Trade to take the RESPONSE
bility of calling the convention. In
REGARD to the law in question he said
he could not see how any man could
thoughtfully and with good business
udpment favor the features OF the
alien land law, which were the cause
of all this connection. With vast
areas of land waiting development,
with untold mineral wealth awaiting
the coming of capital, with millions OF
timber and other natural resources
undeveloped, resources all awaiting
capital, Texas was the last place in
the world to do anything to repel
capital.
The remarks of the chairman were
well received. .,
Mr.. Malcom Graham was elected
secretary.
Or. J. j. Tobin suggested that
MIR. A. p. WOODBRIDGE
be requested to state the attitude OF
the hoard of directors of the Board OF
Trade on the matter.
In response to request from the
chairman, Mr.. Woodbridge stated that
the Board of Trade had opposed the
law from the beginning, and at the
first opportune moment the board OF
directors had passed resolution con-
demning it. The board of directors
had been importuned to call
q state convention. A Getting had
been called and held Monday evening
and he had stated to the board that
there was not unanimity of opinion
in regard to the law though the pre-
ponderance was against it. 1t was
the general opinion of the board OF
directors that it was not polite for
four men to take it on themselves to
call convention on aquestion OF such
magnitude, not because they lacked
the nerve but because they doubted
the wisdom of so doing.
The board did not think there was
any necessity for hurryinS i'll the mat
ter. Many of the leading business
mon are away from the state, eithel
on Measure or business. Again it was
thought advisable to remove posi-,
bic opinion that Austin was actuatec
by selfish motives in the matter. Get
ting the opinion and support of varl'
ons commercial bodies, by means OF
consultation and advisement, the
Austin board of trade could issue q
cnll of more force and weight than II
could in any other way.
He then read the letter intended fol
the commercial organizations OF th'
state as follows:
THE LETTER.
Dear Sir-Our people are much IN
terested in ascertaining the puDll'
opinion of the probable effects OF th'
alien land law upon the mercantile
and agricultural interests Of our stat'
and with the purpose of ascertalnlns
that opinion and giving it publl'
form and thoughtful, general expires
sion. it has been proposed that con,
vention be called for the impartial
consideration of this law, at an early
day in September at the capital
win you kindly indicate your opin,
ion and so far as you can learn 1t
that of your most thoughtful citizens
as to the wisdom and eXpediency OF
calling said convention, and the scope
and character it's deliberations should
take
"Now gentlemen he said, eff it is
your Judgment that it is best to call a
convention by popularmeeting, why
count me with you, for, though l
think it will be over hasty to call a
convention by the fifteenth of August,
yet am so'heartily opposed to every
itehbtlC VI "iiNi' ''hN'
law that / am heart and soul with
every move against it, (Cheers.)
Carefully and logically, clearly and
concisely he renewed the plan OF
getting the cooperation of the rest OF
the state, and hurting against
the alien land law a convention which
would know no such word as defeat.
Dr. j. j. Tobin stated that he
thought the meeting had been called
for the purpose of discussing and eX-
pressing their disapproval of the alien
land law, and not to consider the con-
ventjOn feature.
Mr.. Woodbridge stated that he had
believed the meeting was called for
the purpose of considering the pro-
priety of calling a state convention,
and the chair had so stated.
He took his seat and the crowd
called for
JUDGE A. w. TERRELL,
who was seen near the door.
The Judge stated that if the meet
o e