The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-02-15
Mr.. BROWNIES POSITION
Tells Why He Opposed One Feature Of the
City Charter Amendment.
THOUGHT MAYOR WOULD KEEP HIS PROMISE
Now that the Schools Have Been
Dragged into Politics He Wouid
Make school Trustees Elective.
10 the Editor OF The Post.

Austin, Texas, February 13.-lt is not
my purpose to take notice, through the
newspapers or otherwise. OF the scurrilous
utterances of subsidized organs or retained
political swashbucklers who in every cam
paign stand ready to falsify mans rec
ord. besmirch his good name and scatter
broadcast insinuations against his charac-
ter in order to advance the political inter-
est of some aspirant or official from whom
they have received or expect to receive
recognition and spoils.
recent editorial however published
IN the Evening Herald, which is generally
regarded as Mayor Brashears organ, in
duces me to waive tho rule for once es-
pecially as the article in question bears
all the ear-marks of legal authorship and
air of official inspiration. What l shall
state is the simple. plain truth, and when
/ so assert do not believe there is a fair
and candid man in Houston who will re-
fuse to believe Il.
The article referred TO- after lengthy
defense OF Mayor Brashear's action in the
unfortunate imbroglio in connection with
our public schools says;
Judge Kttrell at the session OF tho last
Legislature introduced an amendment to
rho charter OF the city Of Houston seek
ing TO have the trustees elected by popular
vote. and Mr. Browne (your candidate, Mr.
JosD opposed IL bitterly aud succeeded 10
defeating it."
In a measure tho quotation above Is
true, for l confess with much regret that
did oppose the amendment to the city
cnarter proposed by Judge Kittrel, and
with equal truth ! may assert that prob.
ably contributed somewhat to It's defect
But 1t was at the earnest cntroaty and re-
pested solicitation Of Mayor Brashcar, and
upon his implicit representations and
promise 10 me hat under no consideration
would he attempt or permit the public
free schools OF tho city 10 be maue the
subject Of political contention or partisan
fsyorltiem.
Believing him TO he Sincere. aud not eu-
tireiy satisfied rs 10 the wisdom OF making
the change at the time. acceded TO
Mayor Brashears pleas and opportunities.
and opposed Judge Kittreu's amendment
How Mayor Brashear redeemed his
promises and pledges leave an impartial
ana fair-minded public to Judge. His
honor's organ esks with ludicrous at
tempt al honest Indignation, Have the
SCHOOLS been dragged into politics?' Have
they!
After the defeat Of the amendment pre-
pared by Judge Kittrell, Mayor Brasheal
thanked me FOR my efforts in securing
its defeat, saying that its adoption woult
have been a reelection on his administta,
tion. 1 told him he was under no ohlisa
ton to me, for what l did was done fl
the public free schools OF Houston. ant
not as a favor to him personally or t,
vindicate his administration, I told hin
that all asked was that he would do tn
right thing about the schools and not mi
them up with politics He assured. nj
that he would nos. and said he would con
suit with me in regard 70 the appolntmen
Of trustees. ! told h.n did not desir
to be consulted ard Only desired him to g
ahead and ran the schools as he shoulJ
on strictly non partjran lines. Yoluntal
ily and without request from me he as
sured me that, as an evidence of his goo
faith not to introduce politics into OF
schools, nor interfere with their manage
ment, he proposed to keep MIR. Shear
on the board Of trustees. notwithstaudin
he did not support his administration an
had voted against him, Mayor BrasheJ
viii not deny this
How Mayor Brashear redeemed the.
voluntary and unsolicited pledges l lea,
the public to Judge.
For myself, have no apologies TO NAL,
Ny position in regard to the public fr,
schools OF Houston is known to all men
the city. ] have been their stoadfa
friend. and my record as mayor for 70,
years attests the truth OF the assertion
With pardonahle pride ana with no feelr
OF vanity or egotisn, point to the nun
Der OF school houses erected during u
period of my administration, aud cha
lenge comparison With that of any of N
predecessors or successors | am u
friend of our public free schools now.
have always been, and II elected may,
pledge that I wifi keep them out OF pol
tics.
When the measure to change the eli
charter. making the school trustees Gle
tive, was before the legislature, confe
! was not sufficiently satisfied of Il
wisdom or advantage of the change,
face OF Mayor Brashear's earnest plea
ings. to support and vote it.
can only say. with slncerest regr,
that have lived to see ana repent OF \
error Mayor Brashear. or rather his a
tons in this matter OF conducting o
public free schools, has converted me.
doubtless it has other citizens who Il
and thought as did Respectfully,
Jno. T. Browne.
How He Helped the Laborinu ua,