The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-09-04
REPRESENTATIVE BLACKBURN.
The Member Who Tied Up the House
Has Some Letters.


Calvert, Texas. September S.-Hon. W..
p. Blackburn has just received the follow
Ing letters:
Hon. w. p Blackburn. Franklin, Texas.
LAGRANGE, Texas. August "a, 1S97.-My
Dear Sir Your letter OF even date asking
me to state to you under what circum-
stances you left the house while toe same
was under call during the session OF the
Twenty-fifth legislature came to hand to-
day and l hasten to reply.
To give all the details that led up TO
your leaving the house and final suspen-
sion would be to write history OF the
greater part of the proceedings OF that
memorable session. Suffice it TO say that
for many weary weeks had the fee bill
fight been dragging along--those who con-
stituted the minority using every honorable
effort TO bring about Il compromise to the
end that a bill, just alike TO the State, to
the litgant. to the taxpayer and officers,
might be adopted. From the very first you
aligned yourself with the minority in this
fight and consistently fought with them
The minority We're battling for what we
believed to b. just and good measure and
one that would conform to the demands Of
the democratic platform. In this conten-
ticn we We're sustained by the governor,
who, in his message to the extra session,
the scaling" bill.
On one occasion pending the fight on
the fee bill the majority ordered the pre-
vlous question without giving lis an OPP
portunity to offer an amendment or to make
suggesuon-you recollect there were sew
eral fee bills under consideration at va
rous times--and upon q call of the house
being made you left in order to compel the
opposition TO compromise or let lis .amend
tho bill. 1t was understood that the minor
itv was to stay with you until the Internal
regions froze over and then II necessary
skate on the ice with you, How faithful
we were to this pledge the journal Of the
house viii show better than can tell. 1t
was also agreed by certain members of
the minority that they would help you
change your judicial district, as our people
wanted 1t, or help you beat the entire bill
l did not join into this combination be-
cause was pledged to support the bill as
II stood. only that | agreed to vote for an
amendment you were to offer TO endeavor
70 change your district in conformity with
your wishes. This agreement between
yourself and my colleagues did eventually
defeat the redistricting bill was an en-
thusiastic supporter OF the fellow servants
bill and am prepared at any time or place
70 make affidavit that you did not leave the
mouse with view to prejudicing the fell
low servants bill for you could in nowiss
when Il did. You were suspended 10 serve
purpose which every man who voted TO
suspend you understood The effort was
10 pass a fec bill You were suspended
contrary TO the rules Of the house and In
direct violation OF the constitution. The
same spirit a. fanaticism that prompted
tho crucitixion OF Christ on Calvary
prompted the majority IN suspend you with
the speaker TO guide them The sneaker
told me and ! so stated to Mr.. Blair at the
time, that he would hold that It would take
two thirds vote TO suspend you, yet con-
sistent with his other official acts. he i'm
mediately broke his promise and held that
majority could do so. Had he not made
this outrageous ruling. contrary to all
presidents and law--had he not permitted
tive Constitution OF his State to have been
violated by having you tried without the
opportunity OF making defense, we would
have brought about the compromise II was
our purpose 10 procure and Just law
would have been passed instead Of the one
now upon the statute books. You were