The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-09

vention fail 10 give attention, but soon
warmed up to the "by gatlins" stage and
grew more certain OF his ground. Al
times he seemed to sway the convention
with his old time ardor and frequently
called forth loud cries of approval. His
remarks were very similar to those ut
tered at the recent county judges eonven-
ton held ut Galveston. though some
striking changes were noted in cases cited
in his attack upon Attorney General Smith
for issuing the Waters Pierce permit. His
speech was skillful attempt to make
it appear nat the old fight of the people
againsi the trusts was on again and that
the State was being oyerrun by corpora
lions. The Standard Oil company was
held up and the idea presented that the
law had not been executed in this case.
Mr. Hogg was not content with addressing
the convention at length on the matter,
but took occasion to present his proposed
constitutional amendments to the con-
vention and to ask for an Endorsement
Of th~m frcm the delegates The eX-gov-
ernor also aired a supposed grievance
against the newspapers by snecring at
the proposed libel law and by rldiculing
the attempt of The papers to show the ne
cessity of new constitution for Texas.
The speaker held the conventions at
tention throughout and was given en-
thusiastic cheers when he concluded
At the conclusion OF Hosg's speech
Hon. NJ. NJ. Crane suddenly appeared
upon the platform. For a while it seemed
as if he would not be allowed TO speak,
but the ex-attorney general braveiS faced
the uproar and fought 1t down. He soon
gained control of the convention and ad-
dressed the delegates in deliberate. dig
nided manner, agreeing with Mr.. Hoyg
that Attorney General Smith mad mace
a mistake in Issuing the new permit II
the Waters-Pierce company; he showed
how the trust had been fought while he
was attorney general and cited the great
victory won by Texas in the supreme
court. When Mr.. Crane finished the del
egates were tired and worn out with ex-
citement
Despite this disadvantage and despite
the fact that two able speakers had
Just preceded him and attacked him
from every standpoint, Attorney
General Tom Smith demanded 10
be heard and he was heard. AS soon as
he began the great mass OF people con-
fronting him became quiet and seemed
to hang upon his every word His bod
utterances carried conviction, and his
every statement bore the impress of truth
and gave the idea that the attorney gem
ersl had acted fairly and conscientiously.
He explained the law in the case, and
from legal standpoint made one OF the
finest addresses ever heard in Texas.
The speaker answered every charge, re
piled to every utterance and not content
with the defensive soon gave back blow
for blow. His attack upon Hogg was bit
ter sarcastic and cutting. He seemed
TO feel that the ex-governor and his
friends were trying to make political
capital at his expense. And he exposed
the scheme. The attorney general Was
greeted with sheer after cheer, and when
he concluded was rendered the greatest
applause of any speaker who had adj
dressed the great gathering. Hundreds
OF friends rushed TO the platform to
grasp his hand and congratulate him
upon his mastery defense and bold at
tack upon those who had so severely
criticised his official acts.