The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-02-08
CHAIRMAN sNEED,s VIEWS.
He Gives Fair and Important Statement
of Facts.

| VI AUS
Capt. S. &. Sneed, chairman of thu
Clark county Democratic executive
committee, in an interview last weeh
said:
1t is only because of my position
as chairman of the Democratic execu.
tive committee of travis county that
l consent to promulgate my views on
the situation aud plans for cOnsolida.
ton of the Democratic party. l am
aware that L will be called upon 60
act in the near future. l would be
glad if we could reconcile Democrats
and avoid complications. But in case
a harmonious plan be not projected
from headquarters, then we must act
according TO our best Judgment.
give my views and plans now in order
to have understood what my advice
will be to the Democratic executive
committee of Travis county. This in
formation has been solicited from me
by the people, and 1 yield to their de-
mand. 1 certainly do not desire per-
sonally to appear in print and assume
the role of an Alexander to cut the
Gordian knot.
First-To take the Democrat vote
of 1890 as cast for governor should he
acceptable to all Democrats. There is
no other vote that so nearly repre-
sents the Democratic strength in the
counties of Texas as this vote. The
difference between the vote for Cleve-
land electors in 1892 and the vote for
governor in 1890 is too trifiing to cause
q disagreement in adjusting a com.
mon plan on which all can agree.
Secoud-That the Democrats in
primaries snail have the right to de.
eide as To who are Democrats aud
as TO who shall participate in the
primaries, is the correct principle. AS
to whether Democrats voted for Hogg
or Clark should not be made test;
nor should Democrats be required to
announce their unqualified adherence
to the principles of either of the two
state platforms. 1t is perfectly legiti-
mate for any Democrat to disown the
principles and policies advocated and
announced in platforms, and liberty of
speech aud thought are certainly toll
Grated in the party. Policies change,
and opinions change with them, So
long as Democrats agree on the funda-
mental doctrines of the party they
should be recognized as one common
political brotherhood. With such
varied interests as exist in the several
states, and even in the several cOun-
ties of our state, it is impossible for
policies to be agreeable to all Demo-
Gratis. One trouble in framing plat
10 no
embraced as the matter of platforms.
The more policies embraced in plat
forms the fewer the number who
agree to such platforms as whole.
The grand motive of the Democratic
party is to preserve our form of gov
eminent as established, and prevent
Capitalization. AS to mere policies
they change from year to year; and
we stand on common ground with all
parties in some policies, and differ
among ourselves as to many. No
party can stand that has for its basis
of organization fiuctuating policies.
The fundamental principles of the
Democratic party are the true basis of
union and perpetuity. AS to mere
policies we should be allowed the
largest latitude of opinion. Under
the term Christians, we embrace a
large number of sects-differing wide.
ly on many doctrines, but unified I'M
der one common belief. Democrats
are equally unified under few COM
mon fundamental ideas, but widely
differ In policies which are irrecon.
cilable-conflicting as they do with
local interests.
Third-As to who should be recOg-
nized as the regularly organized head
of the Democratic party in Texas, is
the only question on which there Is
likely to arise trouble. If the wings
of the Democracy of Texas desire to
unite and act in concert in their next
county and state election, it is a
matter of but little Importance who
calls them together. The powers,
duties and functions of both the Bak-
or and Matlock executive committees
cease when the call for a convention
is promulgated; and the next state
convention may make new platform,
and an entirely new organization.
In view of the pride of men, and
unwillingness in the present impor-
tant division, OF either party to retire
from the leadership, am of the opin-
ion that each party should recognize
the other; and that conference
should be had by members Of both ex-
ecutive committees, and joint call
should be made for assembling pri-
maries and for state convention to
be signed by the chairmen of the two
committees. This would be sma |
concession by those who pose as lead
ers OF the Democratic party in Texas
Harmony and unitication of Demo-
Gratis is desired and demanded by the
masses. If pride. and not patriotism
is to govern the action of the leaders,
then the PEOPLE must find some other
way to unity.
Fourth-In case both executive com.
mittees remain stubborn and refuse
to coalesce and call a common cOnven.
ton, am in favor of the county ex-
ecutive committees throughout the
state joining in call on the chairmen
of the congressional districts to meet
in body and formulate a call for o