The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-09-10

$780,.
prevail to most exemplary state. but
noticed this morning when the conyen.
tioh was called to order that some of
my Old friends of the Faber-those who
were under and ON top of me at the
Austin convention-took UP their posi-
tlons considerably to the leeward of the
uifect line OF march in case the crowd
should come to the conclusion that it was
necessary for them to advance upon
Rome between suns"
really think, though that so far as
appearances go for anything, that when
the convention met this morning they had
no immediate cause for fear. There
were some wild looking individuals in
the crowd, but most of the gathering
looked very sedate and seemed rather in
clined to take things easy. But | await
further action with fear and trembling.
Looking around the hall, however. one
must of necessity admit that he is sur-
rounded by a gathering at once interest
ing, peculiar and worthy of personal
study. 1t is gathering such as is only
seen on such occasions as this-an occa-
sion that is momentous in the lives of the.
colorcd pOliticians-an occasion when he
wanders forth from his own fireside and
fig tree and comes to the scene of glory
the state convention hall.
Here is where you get an opportunity
to study the negro in all his glory. There
are all kinds of the species here. too.
There is the old-time darkey, who has
come long way to this convention and
whose presence here is about as much
felt so far as the manipulation of the
convention machinery is concerned as a
puff of wind in a Kansas cyclone. He
is here, however, and like the man who
wants little here below" he is content to
be on the delegation from such and such
a place and have seat in the conven-
ton. He is apt to occupy that seat most
of his stay in the city, too, Judging from
the way he Glove to it this morning. He
has his carpet sack with him, and ii is
his constant care. When he came to
thS h'til thio hiolHlliS IL WIS uuHSuIS tt
his side. While he was seated in the
convention hall it occupied a position al
ternately in his lap and between his legs.
When he left the hall at recess it was
seen dangling by his side.
That grip may contain clothing or it
may not. If San Jacinto engagement
is brought on during this convention |
expect to see razor appear from
between the folds of that grip, and if it
does it will doubtless have a through
ticket to its destination. 1t will cor
tainly not be tagged at the press tables.
While this old darkey will know little
of the inner workings of the convention
when he leaves here he will be happy in
returning home and telling all about it.
In strong contrast to this old darkey is
The slick 'new coon in town." the wiry,
sharp headed and sharp witted negro
politician, for such the most of them are.
He is getting in his graft in all direc
ions. This is his hour of triumph-his
of opportunity, and he is not
overlooking single bet. Most of last
hight he could be seen standing in the
lotel lobby or on the street corner, with |
lis arm placed caressingly around the |
leck of brother delegate cf the Cau- |
,asian hue. pouring into his attentive |
,ar his dreams of day ami his realiza-
ions of an hour. The warmth of a |
summer house pervaded the atmosphere |
N all sides and as he stood there with
lis white companion, both gave evidence
# the fact that the politician. as well as
he laborer, earns his living by the sweat
If his brow. This worthy cOlored poll
ician has done some hard work, how
yer, since yesterday morning. lie has
,een sent forth not like Woolsey went
O sound all the depths and shoals of
lonor," but to ferret out, by ways that
ire dark and tricks that are vain. all
hat has been done by the various dele
cations and to ascertain as 70 whether
my of them are contemplating CON
rariness and if so to what extent they
intend carrying it. He has done his
work well. With the cunning of an
id campagner he has spied and pried,
oaxed and pumped until he has the
ituation at his fingers ends, and as ne
tands on the street corner with his arm
round his white friends neck he tells
lis experience, makes his report ana
cts his reward. He may be playing
he Judas. but if he is he is getting |
vice thirty pieces of silver, for he is
mooth enough to catch them going and
oming. The shrewd white politician is
hrewd enough in his way, but an
stute Coon" a real genuine, smooth
rticle. can beat him at his own game
very rattle out of the box.
Thus, in two conspicuous chd"ac-