The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-01-20
DECKER'S CONCLUSIONS.
Objects to the Language Used Ia The To-
yesiieatiue Committees Report.
NE SAYS IT IS AIMED At FREE SPEECH
mr.. BaiIey's North Texas Friends Are,
Much Pleased nj the Termination
of the Farce.

Austin, Texas. January 19,--Mr. Decker
of the Bailey investigation committee
has decided upon the language OF the
minority report he proposes to hand in.
st. reads as follows:
10 Hon. r. Il. Prince. Speaker OF the
House.
SIR We. the minority OF your COM
mittee appointed under the resolution
introduced by Hon. ID. 4. McEall and
adopted By tho house en- january II. 1905.
providing for tic investigation of the
facts relating to the dissolution and re-
Incorporation Of the Waters Pierce OIL
company. its admission TO do business
IA Texas, etc. Ggree TO all the report
OF the majority except wherein they
recommend TO The house tho adoption OF
tho proposed resolution. To this We can
not agi ee, for the reason that we cou-
cede to every citizen OF Texas. no mat
ter how humble nor how high his station
In life, the right to discuss and criticise
ete public acts OF officials and those seek
ing high and honorable Offices AT the
hsrds of the psople so long a such crit
iclsm is kept within the bounds Of rea-
son and not backed Up by malice. To
adopt the resolution proposed by the
majority in our minds is TO curtaA The
right OF free speech and condemn hon
NAdOit IuGu OF lGAAs WHO nave honestly
believed that Mr. Bailey did wrong in
aiding the Waters-Pierce Oil company
in obtaining permit TO do business in
Texas and that Attorney General Smith
should have advised that the oil company
go into the courts 10 obtain its relief.
d. T.. Decker
From the above it Will be seen that
Mr.. Decker has abandoned his purpose
OF seeking to amend the report so as 10
make it conflict with the verdict O; The
committee by specifically t.soaerating
Executive" State Officials only along
with Mr.. Bailey. Il was TOO plain that
there was nothing but McI.enuan county
politics in shis 10 make IT go. MIR
Decker's concern for the right Of free
speeeh is. however, II anything. less
justified than his fear that his friends
political prospects may be injured by the
adoption OF the repor, prepared by L
majority OF his co-committeemen. This
repor, nowhere attempts 10 condemn any
one FOR honestly differing with Mr.
Bailey. Attorney General Smith or amy
one else as to the character of the Wat
ers-Pieree oil company or the correct
mess OF the procedure through which X
managed 20 ms.ntain is foothold. 40
honorable man need feel agrieved al
tse language Of the resolution objected
to by NJ. Decker. for no "honora ole
man would be guilty OF coudemning or
slanderius NJ. Bailey or Mr.. Smith
without knowledge OF facts or posses.
SION of evidence for their course in the
matter, such as has been done from one
end Of the State to the other. To at this
stage Of the game bubble over the
language OF resolution denounclng
one OF the yllest SANDERS ever given cir.
rulsiion IN Texas or any other state.
may lead to UNPLEASANT complications
which might end in placing the quibbler;
In an awkward position. LAP.
Dallas, Texas, January 19,-The result
Of the investigation of Congressmau
Baiiey's connection with the admission
al the Waters Pierce OIL compan,
into the State has put the Gaines
willie statesman's North Texas friend
in happy frame of mind. Their
were few persons of any kind in thi
part Of Texas who imagined that Ar
Bailey had done anything discreditahl
20 himself or Texas from either a mora
or legal standpoint. and his oomplet
exoneraticn of the McFail charges I'll
the hearts of his admrcrs vita pleas
ure.
II Is conceded on all sides that NJ
BAILEY has finally and effectudl
''fioored'' all his slanderers and calun
niators and that he is stronger than eve
III the hearts OF the rank and file of III
Texas democracy. His definite statemei
made TO the examining committee cover
ing the disposition OF every dollar
money Put in Barnett Gibbs Grapeyir
ranch Is regarded as a piece OF ma tel
less inesse, and one that admits of 4
possibility Of future error on the pa
OF his enemies.
After Mr.. lBatley's election as Unite
States senator 1t is expected that he wi
come TO Dallas for day or two. II
Dallas friends have begun arrangement
40 give him cordial and enthusiast
reception upon his arrival mere
bailey is bigger than ever" is Il
comment made py men OF all shades
political belief. Men who have alwa,
opposed him think his enemies ha'
given him the very opportunity he nee
ed and that ne took advantage of It we
-----z.--------
Child burned to Death.