The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-09-05
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
BIG POLITICAL CONVENTIONS
THAT ARE MANIPULATED
BY ONE MAN.
PENNSYLVANIA MARYLAND AND
OHIO CONVENTIONS
Are observation-disclosures Smooth Work
Against Great Odds-Floy McGown
interviewed On Texas Politics.
No Split in the Democracy.
Special Correspondence.


Washington, Aug. 20, 1895.
The past 10 days or two weeks has witt
messed in at least three States of the I'm
ION the power and control which it is pos
sible for one man to gain in the counsels
of a great political gathering. In Mary
land, Ohio and Pennsylvania we have
had the spectacle of conventions being
swayed to The mandates of one man, not
withstanding the fact that desperate eff
forts have been made to wrest the lead
ership from the skillful manipulation of
the party machinery. 1t is also interest
ing to note that in each instance the lead
er has been a member of the United
States senate. In Maryland Mr.. Cor
man, in Ohio Mr. Brice and in Pennsyl-
vania Mr.. Quay. In the first and last
named States the work accomplished has
been for the most part that of gaining the
support of delegates for the nomination
of certain men for State offices. whereas
in Ohio Senator Brice has been for sever
al months past vigorously waging a cam
paign of education for the conversion of
his party to new position upon a great
National issue. While all three of these
men have fought against great odds, the
most remarkable victory achieved, per-
haps, is that just won by Senator Quay.
Not only had he many bitter personal
and political enemies against him, but
the oftentimes dangerous and successful
war cry, reform" was raised against
him and his methods. In addition, the
opposition was headed not only by the
governor of the State, but was backed by
the patronage of the State as we'll as the
greater part of the party machinery.
Yet in the face Of this tremendous COM
bine he made gallant fight and sue
ceeded in winning such an overwhelming
victory as will add new laurels to his
fame and reputation as one of the shrewd-
est and most successful politicians of the
present day.
VIEWS ON TEXAS POLITICS.
Mr.. Floy McGown, formerly of the
Austin law firm of West & McGown, but
now living i'm San Antonio, is in the city,
and in speaking of lhis travels in the North
and of Texas politics says:
SIN travelling through the Eastern cit
les, Southerner is apt TO find but little
in the monuments and statutes erected
therein to crafty any feeling Of local
pride, but l was gratifed beyond express
sion, all the more because wasn't eX-
pecting it, at monument L came across
in New York city the other day. 1t was
dedicated to THE Brave, and in the list
of heroes mentioned were that grand band
of patriots who gave up their lives at the
Alamo, i'm defense of the liberties of Tex
ans. As my grandfather was among
those who aided General Houston in
wreaking vengeance on Santa Anna at
San Jacinto, | could not help but exult
over that inscription, and seeing it in a
Northern city made me realize more
strongly than ever did before, that this
is one country and we are one people,"
In referring to local politics Mr. Nc
Gown said: "There will be no split in
the Democratic party in Texas next year
over the silver question. The free silver
men are in the majority now, but with
good prices for our chief product, cotton,
the agitation will gradually die out There
will be very lively fight for the guber-
Material nomination next year. Cover
nor Culberson will be candidate for re-
election, and it is quite probable that ex-
Senator Reagan will be in the field. If
Governor CulbersOn is reelected he will
no doubt be a candidate for United States
senator to succeed Hon. r. Q. Mills.
When that campaign comes ON it will
be the hottest ever seen in Texas. Elk
Governor Hogg is credited with senate
rial aspirations, and Congressman Bailey,
who has come to the front faster than
any man ever did in our State, will have
large and enthusiastic following at his
back There are plenty of men now pre-
dieting that Bailey will be the next SEN
atOr from Texas"