The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-03
QUESTION OF A TEST
SOME PERTINENT POINTS IN SOME
INTERVIEWS.
A rCarcf6l Pcrusnl of Them May
Cause n Change of Heart with
= Mnny Democrats.


of the test imposed by the State democratic
executive committee by which the democ-
racy of men who offer TO participate in the
primaries is to be measured this year, will
take the trouble to read and analyze the
numerous interviews which are finding
their way into print from parties who
played leading parts in the fusion of 1856,
It IS more than likely that they will cx
perience change of opinion. Take. for
instance, the very recent ebulition of W.
L. Hawkins of Dallas. who was secretary
OF the honest money" campaign commit
tee during the struggle which proceeded the
last election He has much to say about
rolitical despotism and concludes a vic
lent arraignment OF the Texas democracy
with the following:
Besides all this, the same elect few,
the board of control of this Texas Tamma-
ny, has dictated what laws shall and shall
not be passed. has enacted and approved
laws inimical to legitimate investment and
has riveted upon very large part of The
intelligent citizens of Texas whose only
interest in politics is 10 give good gov
eminent, the conviction that the domi-
mating power in Texas politics is curse
to this imperial State.
why should we longer submit to it?
preach will be wiped away. Today thou
sands of party men see the evil of the
situation as never before. The time ~
ripe for action, aggressive action. IL the
patriotic men of Texas who in their hearts
repudiate this travesty on decent govern
ment will, without regard 10 party, organ
ize throughout the State a citizens reform
league, the cardinal principle of which
shall be good government in Texas and a
development OF her grand resources rather
than running the National government
from Austin. they can elect a governor ana
an entire State ticket, just as the allied
forces carried this county against Culber-
son in the last election. A change of Il
few thousand votes would bring that sweet
relief to Texas and place her first upon the
rcll of States. IL we do not act we de-
serve to suffer"
Taken in connection with Barney Gibbs
open letter OF few days ago to Chairman
Bradley of the popullst State executive
committee, the above is quite significant.
Gibbs advises Bradley to get his cohorts
| together on independent lines and TO ignore
National Issues. And, by way of sugges-
ton, he mentions the transportation ques-
tion as good political capital for the future.
intimating that the way TO catch the boys
next time is to talk to them of a north and
south State railroad the building of which
will supposedly cause great tumble In
freight rates, and the running OF which
Will give them all fat Jobs.
Gibbs scheme is to run for governor at
the head of an independent ticket composed
of honest moneyites,' republicans and
middle Of the readers. and to make the
fight on State issues solely, and he Is reA-
sonably sure of the cooperation Of the
Hawkins contingent, for 1t has been sug-
costing Just such an alliance as he contem-
plates ever siace the polls closed In 1895
and it became known that the fusion deal
of that year had failed to pan out. For
awhile Henry Mcdonald of Paris was their
choice for first place on the proposed tick
ct but ii has gradually dawned upon them
that he is not possessed of the proper tenn
permanent to figure to advantage in such a
fi1ht as they wish TO make Gibbs VIII
suit the occasion better Gall and leisure
are what is needed most in their business
and he has both in large quantities. While
he exploits his transportation vagaries from
the stump they can pirate of rings and no-
litical machines. and together. II they win,
they can raid the fat school fund accumu-
lated by preceding democratic administrn-
lions for. disguise 1t as he may. Gibbs has
70 other object In view than the turning
Il ose'' OF the ten or moro millions of school
money, the interest OF which now goes to-
wards maintaining the States free educa
tio1al system Given good share of the
Offices the honest moneyiies" would be
willing to lot him invest this money in the
bords ~ his great ncrth end south peo-
ple's railrced and Construct a speculative
trunk lie across the State. II be sold out
at n big profit 10 the owners of existing
railroads at the first opportunity. And IL
is tho projectors of this scheme that some
peorie are manifestng 50 much eolicitude
about. and to whom they hooed that tho
door Of the primaries would have been
opened, although they are as far as can
be from wanting 10 come in and notwith-
standing the eyperience OF the past. which
is that they bclted Gftenfr 'han they. stuck
10 ire ticket and the Platform a. each sue
coed ny elecfion.