Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1914-03-09
BALL W|7HDRAWS
FROM LAW FIRM
Npped In the Bud Any Attempt to
Connect Him With Corporate
Interests.
Houston, Tex, March 5, 1914.

I1OuStOus CA, lv11.
To the People OF Texas:
Upon entering the public service in
1896 / arranged my personal and pro-
fessional affairs to give the people Of
Texas the first charge upon my time
to the exclusion of anything to con-
flict herewith.
Now that l have answered what ]
believe to be a substantial demand to
return to the public service by be-
coming a candidate for the Democratic
nomination for Governor in the July
primaries, have decided to imme-
diately retire from the firm OF An.
drews, Ball & Streetman and to give
all my time to the people Of Texas
should they nominate and elect me.
The conduct Of my campaign for
Governor. discussion of public Ques-
tons and preparation for the duties
of the great office to which ] aspire
demand my undivided attention and
time, and / am unwilling to remain
member OF law firm, share its
profits and render 1t no service.
Since my voluntary retirement from
Congress have engaged in the gener.
al practice OF law at Houston, and my
firm has had as clients numbers OF
individuals and many corporations,
including railway and other public
service corporations.
In representing my clients in my
law office and the courts OF the coun'
try have dones o in manner entirely
consistent with the best ethics OF my
profession and without sacrifice OF
my political views or ideals of public
duty, and have continued my lifelong
active interest in public affairs.
! am unwilling to give those opposed
to my nomination, because of my OPP
] position to the liquor traffic and the
liquor interests in politics, opportunity
4 to shield their desire to continue both
at any cost, behind an attack upon
corporations merely because same
have been numbered among my
/ clients.
! am not willing that corporations
/ should be made an issue in this cam
/ paign by those who would gladly rep
resent them If opportunity offered
merely because some have been my
/ clients. desire that they. in common
with all classes of citizenship in Texas
should have their day in court and
before the forum of public opinion
that their obligations to the public
may be compelled to be discharged
and their legitimate rights protected
without regard to my candidacy for
office.
am not willing that my friends and
supporters who have not doubted my
availability for the Governorship
should be required to satisfy the fears
of those who may desire to support
me, as to the possibility Of my being
unconsciously or improperly in
fluenced by any employment, nor be
required to answer the arguments OF
those who do not doubt my fitness for
office, but who will desire to divert
the public mind from the consideration
of real issues by trying to create false
issues in this campaign.
1t is due the public that ] make this
statement at the very inception OF
the campaign and thus, having taken
the people of Texas into my conf
dence, and turned aside from the ease
and comfort with which might sur
round my remaining years, Willingly
trust my political fortunes to the judg
ment OF the Democrats of this State
at the July primaries, and If nomi
mated, to the approval OF all the quail
fed voters in Texas at the November
election. THOMAS II. BALL.
kNIGHTS OF pYTHIAS ATTENTION