The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-09-01
SIMPLY THE JOY OF HLNDICATION

THE STATESMAN has frequently
seen it in print and heard it assert &c
in public that George Clark's follow
ers are delighted with Judge Nc
Cormick's decision; that none of then
have denied they were delighted ano
that this delight proves Clark's and
their insincerity when they assert
they favor a railroad commission
People who 80 assert reason to little
purpose and most illogically. They
take only a surface view of things,
and in speaking as they do they are
talking only as politicians and for po-
litical effect. THE STATESMAN is as
good a friend as both George Clark
and the railroad commission have. 1t
wants George Clark elected governor
of Texas and it wants Texas to have
the very best railroad commission la "
it is possible to enact. And The
STATESMAN is one of the very many
friends of George Clark that sincerely
regrets our present law has
been decided unconstitutional.
This regret is founded on
its earnest desire that at the very
earliest moment possible both the rail-
roads and the people of Texas may be
enjoying the enforcement of the equi-
table provisions of a just and salutary
commission law. If this day is delay
ed by this decision we sincerely re-
greet it; but if this decision shall after
all be the means of Fastening it's
speedy and surer coming then we re-
joice over it. For THE STATESMAN is
not one of those who believe in the
enactment of harsh and unjust law
that whine benefiting one class of
citizens imposes great burdens and
unnecessary hardships upon another
class. If in very truth our commission
law is 80 restrictive as to amount to
confiscatOry, so one sided as to rad
ically oppose the even course of JUS
tice, and in word so foreign to the
theory of republican governments as
to be unconsti tutional, then we owe it
to the railroads and to our people to
rejoice that stay in its proceedings
has been ordered. 1t is because of
this just way of looking at the ques-
ton that the Clark followers have
been heard to express salts
faction over the decision. And if
at this crucial time in the |
political affairs of the state, they have
exhibited particular joy over this de-
cision, it must not be taken as directed |
against the disabled commission but
against the dismayed and endorsed
enemy who claim all the credit of it's
For it must be remem-
bered the administration has lost no
of hanging its hat on "the
of claiming for itself all |
the glory for the enactment of the law |
and insisting it was absolutely per-
feet. George Clark in the opening of
his campaign joined issue with the
on this law, contend
ing it was imperfect and needed
TO this amendment he
pledged himself if elected governor.
In such condition of affairs who
can blame his followers for being jubi-
liant over his vindication? And as
stated and as can and'will be proven,
jubilant not because "the commission
has been disabled, but because it
furnishes them an opportunity to show
up in the clearest light the tremend-
GUS pretepsions made by Governor
Hogg and his friends. Why should
Texas in its long line of legisla-
lures and governors have only one
legislature and one governor in whom
the people could place implicit reli-
ance and in whom they must rest
their hope Of safety from oppression
or forever give up nope of deliverance
and succor? Such proposition is
monstrous, The STATESMAN was for
a railroad commission long before
Governor Hogg was converted to that
idea, and is firmly of the conviction
that some other legislature and gov
ernor will find by means of a sound
railroad commission law balm for the
peoples wounds, even though the
wisdom of the Twenty. second legisla-
ture and the policy of the present ad.
ministration may then be things very
much of the past