The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-22
Sets Forth His Views and Beliefs
on Matters Political.
ASKS THE SUPPORT OF DEMOCRATS
In Seeking the Party Nomination
for the Gubcrnntorini
OHice.
To the Democracy Of Texas:

personally engage in the pending contes,
i'll tie nomination OF governor.
! am. therefore, compelled to make
kaown my views in this form. Which trust
will receive your careful consideration, and
VIII somewhat compensate for my present
enforced absence from The State.
My candidacy is entirely without comb.
nation or alliance With any other candidate,
and rests altogether upon my own personal
character and public record; AID If these
be not sufficient to entltle me to the nom
nation, have no other means by which
80 secure II.
Nor have my friends or undertaken ia
telect candidates foF ether offices. And
should ! be elected will 70 into office I'm.
pledged TO any man or set of men, and
without any obligation resting upon me
other than my official oath, the platform
oil our party. and the promises BY me made
to the people in the most public manner.
or course, do not expect the support
Of any democrat unless ! should be able.
not only to chow 60, myself consistent
democratic record. but also TO demonstrate
to his satiDfacton SHAT 1t would not he
unwise iii the party to honor me with its
! preference.
L
/ am one Of those who believe that the
maintenance OF free Institutions in thls
country, and the preservation OF our lib
! critics through constitutional government
| VIII depend In veiy large measure, II not
| Altogether, upon the perfect security of
| State autonomy. as recognized by the Fed
| cral coretitution under the construction
| given that instrument by the ablest and
the most approved democratic statesman
| Hhip. Nowadays, however we are 100 apt
| TO regard congress as conpet Snt TO furnish
relief from almost every trouble. forget
| tlhS that the general government was cou-
sututed but FOR the purposes declared in
| the constitution, and to exercise such pow
| ers only as are therein expressly conferred
| or as may be clearly necessary and proper
to accomplish those things for which it
was established. We are too much disposed
to overlook the very important fact that
as Federal legislation has bsen broadened
and Federal authority extended II has been
| II many instances at the expense of tie
state. This accNetion, constantly going on
affords the Federal Judiciary the opportuui-
! ty which it has not been slow to seize, TO
acquire jurisdiction which should rest alto
gether with the state courts. 1t is mani
Test to the most superficial observer that
the present trend of political thought and
action Is to dwarf the dignity, Importance
ana authority OF the State and to magnify
that OF the Federal government so mucn
so that II has become general custom 1t.
REQUIRE those who seek State and county
o.lices, large or small, to declare their
views uro1 subjects that have been an
ooup'ealy committed by the constitution to
the government at Washington. Therefore
and that | may not be misunderstood / do
not hesitate TO declare with all nossjhie
emphaslS that ever since its adoption I
rave peeii ana am now in strict accord with
me principles and policies enumerated i'm
the platform, promulgated by the National
democratic convention Of 1896 at Chicago
e'u esPecia1y heve l been for thirteen
years past, and am | now in strict accord
with it's declaration as to the coinage of
silver Until that platform shall be st
perseded BY competent authority | he
lieVe 1t ought TO be the law as to the mat
ters therein treated, 10 every one who BRO
iesses TO DO democrat And | Will saw
turthor that | have never failed at any
tlme TO abide the action OF tie conventions
OF our party National and State--not only
as to their platforms. but also as to their
nominees. No man can truthfully charge
me with ever having scratched a demo
cratic ticket-National State, county or
municipal. You viii. know, pardon a ref
eTence by me to charge that has been
purposely manufactured and is being in.
cNNHIdtfu lHTpuSH0ut the Sfata |
Tho charge being that | have not been
and am not now in favor of the free and |
unlimited coinage OF silver at the ratio OF
Ii to l. This appears to be the principal |
objection urged against my candidacy. !
Though absolutely untrue In every fespect |
and evidently made TO prejudice the people |
against me, ] will not permit myself to in |
duige In harsh and unseemly denuncla. |
ton OF so unworthy method OF influ. |
encing democratic voters. The authors have |
been challenged n support the accusation |
by competent evidence. but so far they have |
failed to offer any proof from respectable |
source, The records of congress where |
have been serving Tor thirteen years are
easy of access aud always open to inspec- /
ton. My public utterances when canvass
lng my district san b. readily established |
by indisputahle testimony An eNamiua.
tion OF the records will show that have
never failed, during my entire congres,
SIGNAL service, 10 cast an affirmative vote
for the free and unlimited coinage Of sill
YER at the ra;io 81 ~ &c | whenever the
proposition has been before the house Of
representatives, and II has appeared there
IN many forms and at mabv times: and il
II can be shown to the contrary even i'm
single instance, | pledge myself 10 retire !
from Il Is ccntest and never again TO ask
you TO honor me with Your confidence
Every administration since ! have been
n"mher or congress has been hostile TO the
nolicy, and yet It can not be found up,n
he closest scrutiny that have ever va,
vered upon any occasion In itP support.
Other democrats have been wiling to suber
i.nate II 10 other questions: | have not.
Upon my record as TO all questions OF
whatever character, with which congress
rs attenrted to deal since / was clsetsd
o that body In 1854, | am willing TO
stand or to fall; and 10 that record most
confidently appeal, and OF II challenge
criticism. not only us TO the coinage Of
ilver and tho issuance Of GOLD bonds, but
lso as to National banks--,he United
states currencYr-tariff aad income taxa
ion--the interstate commerce. commits
on--trusts ani eomhincs--opiions and
ntures---pensions-- organized lahor--the
Increase OF the navy--governmental OK
endlturcs Selection %. United States SEN
tors by the peonle--the Federal Judi
larry forfeiture OF land
rants to railroads--ffederal elections
Improvement OF harbors in our state
10 reminding to Texas OF more than a
million dollars during the administra
on OF Governor Ross for expcndlt Tres ,
Incurred by the State In repsllinr Indian