The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-22
haley md ChiIton.


To the Editor OF The Post.
Palestine. Texas. May 1S.-It is two full
years before the successor to Senator
Chiffon takes his seat 1t is eighteen
months before the election. And yet the
senatorial succession is subject of moro
than passing interest ard is being talked
about with as much vim and with as many
premonitory symptoms of excitement as
the great Hogg- Clark campaign of 1892
Now, as then. the professional politicians
are all at sea- They have their ears TO
the ground and their eyes on the weather
vape, listening for the first rumble OF the
earthquake or the first rustic of the ey-
clone.
The malignant criticism of Bailey's San
Jacinto day speech at Houston is not
without It's purpose 1t may or may not
be significant that the bitterest epithets
come from a poltico farming paper at
Dallas which is the personal and political
organ Of James S. Hogg. And most OF
the anti Bailey talk has come from the
men who are known to stand close to the
former governor of Texas, now pIac-
tlcing lawyer at Austin
II IL probably a mere coincidence that
many of Chiltons most ardent adeocat S
at this stage OF the game are identiaed IN
some way or other with the corporations
for which the former governor of Texas is
supposed to speak, or with which he is
believed TO have some influence. But this
is outside the question. The attorney ot
a corporation has perfect right TO nave
his choice for the United States senate ana
TO advocate that choice ana It Is only
small mind which would vote against
man for any office because he had some
corporation support man running Tor
Office has the undoubted privilege OF en-
listing any manner of man, and cor
poration man comes in line with the rest
OF us.
The great Issue OF the contest is plain
On the question OF the tertf, Bailey and
Chiffon think alike. On the question of
silver there Is not the slightest divergence
OF opinion. On the paramount question: or
the suppression of trusts they are as one
There is one point where they do not agree
at all. That Is the policy TO be pursued
by this government regarding the terri
tory in this hemisphere which formerly
belonged to Spain. Chiffon favors the
acquisition of Cuba and Porto Rico. Bal
ley is unalterably opposed TO the annexa-
ton of another foot Of territory to the
soil of the United States. They have not
changed particle from the positions
taken by them at the Galveston conventions
a year ago.
During the past sixty days | have been
through the counties of Dallas Tarrant,
Kaufman. Van Zandt Gregg. Cherokee,
Anderson, Harris, Grimes, Limestone,
Navarro, Collin, Grayson. Fannin. Hunt,
Denton, Cooke. Bastrop. Colorado Fay
cite Hill. Ellis, McLennan, Upshur and
Pamela. Business has brought me In con-
tact with classes of people principally
farmers and those engaged in the handling
OF farm products. | have talked to the
people, and the result Of the investigation
convinces rue that ii the election were to
occur tomorrow Chiffon would be hope
lessly beaten. Baley's hold upon the
popular mind is something wonderful. in
applicable idolatrous. The very faults OF
the man, his Feasibility his fads and fol-
bles of dress and manner. his stubborn
ness, his tenacity of conviction even when
opposed by 4 majority Of his party, seem
but to make him the stronger with the
masses, for they humanize what might
otherwise be far too cold and far too re-
served a man for successful political bat
ties. 1t may be truthfuly said that Bali
ley's weaknesses are his greatest source
OF popular strength. His intellectual at
mosphere Is rather 10y az all purely in
tellectual atmosphere must be. No man
can bring passion and sentiment TO the
settlement OF great economic or political
question II tho issue is to be settled
rightly. Hence 1t Is that while Bailey too
frequently differs from his party asso-
ciates, he has never lost his popularity
and never will His breadth and height
and reach of wisdom make him easily the
first of Texans In public life At no great
distance comes Senator Cuberson. The
others are among the also rams.
Personally, Chiffon is charming man
once you know him. but II takes quite
while to thaw him out. He Is reserved
dignihed, unobtruslve. He has none of
Bailey's graces of oratory being rather
heavy and pedantic in his style and de-
livery, He is slow and deliberate in his
mental processes, avoids publicity. likes
the quiet air OF the study rather than the
roise and excitement of the hustings--in
all things the very antithesis of his bril-
liant competitor. Chiffon dislikes a fi6h.,
will go long way to avoid ouo. but once
being in he fights 20 the death. Bailey .
the battleay kind, always at home and
lappy in turmoil Chiffon the diplomat,
WIG prefers peace and peaceful methods.
but who when pushed to the wall gives
battle right royalty. Bailey is Morse
Chiffon Is more of the Teutonic than any
thing elie.
The fight IS going to be warm one. HE
hotter the hettof for Bailey. It is going
to be so thoroughly prosecuted that a man
Issl llpt gu bl tue fence ana watch tho
FUN. In certain contingencies not very
remote ii may be as personal as was the
great contest q 1852, For instance.
joint debate between Bailey and Hopr
the battleaY and the bludgeon Of Texas
politics will be worth losing a nights
sleep 10 hear. And II will require powerful
pressure to keep the former governor OUT
OF tho ring or to restrain his tongue after
he gets in.
Galley is going into the legislature with
all the great North Texas counties behind
linn. His cwn district. composed of The
t5unties OF Cooke. Denton. Grayson. COL
lin and Fannin. is solid for him, Tho
Ter OF outlying counies--Dallas. Hunt
Tarrant Lamar aud kaufman-are rea-
sonabiy sure, 20 Bailey's friends say. and
nave not heard the statement DISPUTED
In the counties themselves Middle Texas.
south Texas and the portion of-tbe state
west OF tie Santa Fe railroad will decide
the contest. Chiffon is almost sure 10
nave East Texas, because Eas. Texas al
man
Boiley's friends confidently predict n
Whatsoever. They are everywhere jubIlant
and enthusiastic; they arc everywhere
working hight and day in order. 50 thew
say to make HIS majority in the legisla,
lure greater than that OF any man VINO
hhn opposition They are prepared for
war and il can not come any too soon for
men. The situation is growing decidedly