The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-01
LETTER FROM MAYFIELD
BOARDING Certain Charges Mad {
AGAINST Him as Commissioner.
!: MAKES AN EXPLICIT STATEMENT
nd sets Out the Facts Of the Matter
without Amy Reservation ms
10 the Rebate Suits.

austin. Texas. MareA S0.-The following
en correspondence was given TO the press
Railroad Commissioner Mayfield today.
n view OF the fact that certain false and
nderous charges anu destinations are
pg circulated in somc localities for the
rpose of damaging ME in my candidacy
recollection, the following correspond
he, which is self explanatory. is made
bile:
Hon, Allison Mayfieid. Austin, Texas.
Cerreli, Texas. March "A. My Dear Sir.
e Twenty-fifth legislature made an APP
bpriation Ur $4,000 L, pay the expense OF
king Investigations into charges OF viola
kns OF the commission Law by railway
npanies in this State.
remember defending this appropriation
III come vgor on the floor OF the SENATE
hen tho senator from Harris county at
cked it with an sinendment Offering To
hike 1t out. Judge Reagan had fully
planned the matter TO me and in the
mmittee on finance l insisted on the ap-
opriation going in the bill, though Rea-
n, Crane, Wortham and perhaps your
hi came before the committee and asked
lat it be made, Reagan stating to the
mmittce that for good state reasons he
kemed it best not to diyulge tie purpose
n which the sum WIS asked. Under these
circumstances. with some prejudice exist
z GA account of salaries paid commits
bon experts, to get an extraordinary appro-
riation OF this kind. it was somewhat DIFF
cult. But it was finally secured, and at
" request, in conferences committee, the
mount was afterwards divided SO as to
I've $1,000 to pay travelling and other nee
&sary expenses of commissioners and eX-
6rtS.
|&It is now charged against you that subse-
a ent to the adjournment OF the legisla-
Ire which had passed the appropriation
III with these items in it, providing the
XGnmission with funds to enforce the pro-
eions of the law, that
III. You, at meeting held in the gov
@hor's office, with perhaps the attorney
neral, State treasurer, the governor and
|urself present the attorney general asked
h to take the commission experts and go
! Houston and Investigate certain charges
d examinations pracuced by the -
a Pacific Railway company. to which
ley have since pleaded guilty, and
d That you declined to go and in answer
! the attorney general said you did not
Int to make the Southern Pacific people
I'D at you,
i have seen no denial from you or any
10 acquainted with the facts OF these
argos, and l desire to ask, first. are9the
arges true? And second, II true, or sub
6ntially so, what explanation have you
offer?
{lf these charges are not true great in
'ry and injustice is being done you and
lie railroad commission. | have written
you In frankness and trust shall re-
hive as frank an answer at your earliest
- o. b. Colquitt.
lon. o. B. Colquitt, Terrell. Texas.
Austin, Texas, March 26.-My Dear Sir:
have your favor OF the 24th instant. IN
hitch you refer to an appropriation made
the last legislature to pay the expense
making Investigations inbo charges OF
lolations of the commission law. ana tnat
Is now charged against me that supse-
bent to the adjournment of the Legislature,
Ihich had passed the appropriation Dill
roviding the commission with funds TO
nforce the law, that at meeting IN the
pyernor's office the attorney general
rked me to take the commission experts |
nd go to Houston and investigate certain |
harges OF discriniinatlops practiced by the
oIthern Pacific Hallway company, ana
hat | declined TO 20 aud said that j did |
pt want 10 make the Southern pacific
eople mad mt me. ~
In reply beg to assure you that 1t gives
lie pleasure to answer Your inquiry as
1lly and frankly as know how ] dih not |
low that any suah charge had been pre-
Irrod against ne. except in the Texas |
hrmer. and that organ having made sc
Iany charges against me and the other
and the motive being SO
hlpable, did not deem them worthy OF
by public notice. -, |
4 give you my entire connection, as wen
can remember with the investigation
the Southern Pacific violations OF law
BON after my induction INTO oilce YIN
kbruary. 1870 Judge Reagan being alb
Int. Judge Storey and myself were called
the presence of Mr.. Crane, Mr.. workman |
Ad Governor Culberson, and the lniorma-
On was impaired to us that the com
ission could employ man VINO coula
resent evidence against certain railroads
lat were giving rebates. Upon the rep
sentations of Messrs Crane and WORTH
n, | at once agreed to employ the man,
1T Judge Storey desired to await the re-
i'm of Judge Reagan. The night follow
Il the day when this conversation was
I'D, Mr. Workman showed me documents
Id papers that satisfied me beyond doubt
the recklessness OF the Southern Pa
&c system in the giving of rebates and
e violations of our laws, and disclosing
me the name of the man whom we had
zen requested 10 eHlpiOy, VIZ Soio'St
NJ. Underhill then. and fer lorg
me previous. the auditor Of the Southern
scific system at New Orleans. and the
|rty having possession OF the documents
owing the violations named. ! at once
came earnest and active in my eiorts
secure the services of Colonel Under
IL Going % Judge Storey the next morn
& and disclosing to him what / Fad
armed. urged that we take some inn
ediate steps to employ Colonel Underhill.
EN- II we had to discharge every Other
nploy In the office in order to get his
rvices. Judge Storey finally agreed. wi h
e understanding that Messrs. Crane ard
ortham would consent 10 help the COM
lssion In its request for an extra anpro-
iation In order to retain the other en-
oyes In addition to Colonel Underhili
1om we agreed to pay salary of $4,000
+ snnum.
There were no conditions with me in
reeing to the emnoyment of Colonel I'm
rhill. and although the extra appropria
m, to which YOU refer. having expired
arch 1, 1875. l have recorded my vote
continue him In our emalov
within a few DAYS after this employ