The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-03-03


the country. In so far as the govern
mental evils under which we are la
| boring may come from Federal sources,
every Democrat can very well con-
| graduate himself that we as a party
cannot be chargeable herewith, for
we have not had possession of this
government for thirty years. 1t IS
! true we may not have done all we
| should have done TO abolish that sys-
tenn Of legislation which has precipi-
tatod these evil5upon the county, and
our sins of omission may be many, but
except in rare instances no sins OF
| commission can be properly laid at
our doors. [ say in rare instances,
| because we are
NOT ALTOGETHER BLAMELEsS
even upon this basis. Some of the
most advanced steps towards central
ism in our government have been pre-
| cipitated upon the country through
Democratic instrumentality allude
TO the interstate commerce law and
| the Oleomargarine law, but do so
not with the inspiration Of carping
citicism, but simply as illustrative OF
| the tendencies of the times and of the
broad road we are travelling to de-
struction. / have no desire or inten-
ton to enter upon the question of
Federal politics, neither does it con-
Germ me in this campaign who shall
be president. | have already spoken
upon Federal questions with no I'M
certain sound, and | retire those is
sues here and now with the simple re-
mark that Notwithstanding any mis-
takes of the Democratic party
decline to join in any rebel
lion against the organization
of the party, and expect to support it's
nominees most heartily, no matter
who they may be. | am here today to
discuss Texas interests solely, to join
issue with those who have been in
power in Texas for two years past, and
to lay before you my views Of the stu
alton and tendencies of legislation, in
order that with Joint cOunsels we may
improve our condition. / am here as a
candidate for governor, in opposition
to the candidacy of the Hon. James S.
HOgg, the present incumbent Of that
office. [ am not here to abuse him
personally, or to say aught against
him in so far as he as an Individual is
concerned. With his personality |
have no concern. propose to deal
ONLY WITH HIS PUBLIC ACTS,
as a servant of the people. And am
candid enough to say 10 you, that if,
as governor of Texas, he has proved
faithful in all things; if he has upheld
and protected your constitution; if he
has faithfully and unselhshly admin
istered your laws; if he has so acted
as to manifest that he has regarded
your former confidence as a sacred
trust, to be administered solely for the
public benefit, and not as q personal
Chattel to be used in the interest and
for the behOof of himself and his
chosen friends; and if, under his adj
ministIatiOu, contentment and pros
perity have come to your homes, and
happiness reigns upon your hearth
stones, you would be an unwise people
to demand his retirement in behalf of
any other candidate, for he would be
entitled to a denomination and re-
election at your hands. If, however,
he has proved unfaithful: if he has
dtsregarded your constitution, either
through design OF ignorance; if he has
administered your public affairs as if
they were private property, belong
ing to himself, and to be
used only for the benefit
and advancement Of himself and his
friends; and if under his rule, and as
consequence thereof, prosperity has
spread her wings and sailed away to
other lands, leaving behind her many
hopeless hearts and ruined homes and
general prostration of material and
commercial advancement, then you
would be equally unwise if yOu did
not demand an immediate change in
that office.
There can be little of sentiment in
your decision, fellow citizens. The
question is purely practical. Indi-
viduals or individual interests, so far
as the incumbency Of public office is
concerned, count as an iniinitesimal
quantity whom compared with the
welfare of whole people; and the I'M
written law of q mere custom cannot
outweigh the public security and The
public interests. That under ordina-
ry conditions it has been a party Gus
tom with us to continue a governor in
office for two terms is not pregnant
even with the suggestion that this
custom must be observed to our det-
riment. If the present governor of
Texas deserves a second term at your
hands, he will receive it; if, measured
by his public acts, he fails to come up
to this standard, he ought not to re-
ceive it, This is the sole question for
your decision.
am not vain enough to assume
that even the governor or myself are
indispensable to Texas or to the par
ty. Doubtless there are other citizens
of the state who could serve her bet
ter than either. Indeed a wall comes
from some sources that
NEITHER OF US
are desirable in the present emergen-
cy. But, nevertheless, the governor
and myself. are here, and circum.
stances have made us opposing candi-
dates for the highest office within
your gift. Speaking for myself, and.
knowing the governor as I do, |
think also l could speak for
him in this behalf, we
have entered upon this race
because we are proud to represent OPP
posing ideas in government; and so
far as | am concerned-and the 90 =
ernor can speak for himself when he
addresses the DpOp1a thot N -, ,,ot -