The Weekly Democrat-Gazette (McKinney, Tex.), Vol. 26, No. 48, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 30, 1909 Page: 2 of 8
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: McKinney Democrat-Gazette and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Collin County Genealogical Society.
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I
* * TWK W' ‘ »
TO THE DEMOCRACY OF TEXAS
Several months ago. In response
to letters received from every sec-
tion of our great State. I announc-
ed that If the people desired me to
make the race for Governor, I would
become a candidate.
Without R«wervatlon.
I enter the contest free from any
Ill-feeling and with good wUl to-
wards the distinguished gentlemen
who so laudably aspire to serve you
as Governor. My announcement is
made without any reservation. 1
am In the tight to a finish, feeling
assured that the principles of sound
government which I shall advocate
will meet the approval of the de-
mocracy of Texas.
I shall not undertake in this pre-
liminary announcement to discuss
all of the important Issues affecting
th'e welfare of our people and which
are entitled to and should receive
their earnest consideration.
I have given no public expression
upon political questions for the rea-
son that I did not believe it was the
>lsh of the people to become em-
broiled in a political campaign a
year In advance of the election and
for the further reason that the duties
of my official position have been
such that I did not feel that I
could, with fidelity to the people’s
Interests, engage in such a campaign.
I shall not become the candidate
of any ring or faction, nor shall I
predicate my candidacy upon any
single Idea or issue, but regarding
•very section, I confide the fortunes
of my candidacy to the great masses
of freemen and sovereign citizenship
who cannot be herded and delivered
to any man.
Not a Candidate of One Idea.
Texas has immense and varied in-
terests of a commercial, industrial,
economic and moral nature, and the
man who ignores any of her vital
Interests and bases his claim to polit-
ical preferment upon a Bingle idea,
whatever that idea may he. does not
comprehend either the importance
of the office ho Beeks or the needs of
the people.
Among the many important sub-
jects which ghould receive our care-
ful consideration at this time may
be mentioned:
First. The proper care and sup-
port of the veterans of the Civil War,
and the establishment and mainte-
nance of a home for their wives and
widows, and the women who aided
in fhe Confederacy. We have a
great state, rich beyond imagina-
tion. and it is not only our duty but
should he the earnest desire of all
our people to provide the more lib-
eral allowances for the support of
those heroic men and women who
sacrificed so much for their country's
cause.
Second. The enlargement and
improvement of our elemosynary
institutions, and suitable provisions
for the care and treatment of tuber-
culosis patients and the eradication
of that dread disease which Is mak-
ing such inroads upon the health and
happiness of our people.
.Industrial development.
Third. The encouragement of the
agricultural, commercial and indus-
trial development of our State: the j
construction of additional railroads
throughout the State and especially
for the great West and plains coun-
try; the reclamation of arid and
overflowed lands, opening up an im-
mense empire for settlement and
cultivation by homeseekers; the es-
tablishment of factories to turn our
raw products into manufactured ar-
ticles within our State; the establish-
ment and building up of enterprises
In every section, for the development
of our unlimited and unrivaled re-
sources. Ample protection of legit-
imate investment and effective safe-
guards for the man who toils.
Improve Taxation Laws.
Fourth. The improvement and
development of our laws affecting
taxation, remedying their defects
and making more equitable the dis-
tribution of the burdens of govern-
ment.
Penitentiary Reforms.
Fifth. The reform of our peni-
tentiary system, the eradication of
such abuses as cannot he perma-
nently effected during the present
administration, and the establish-
ment of a system of business meth-
ods and broad humanltarianism for
their management and control, and
the removal of the penitentiary man-
agement from politics as far as pos-
sible.
Improvement of I*uhllc Schools.
Sixth. The Improvement and ex-
tension of the public school system,
♦specially for the rural districts. 1
hope to see the time when every
community will enjoy the blessings
of splendid facilities for the educa-
tion of boys and girls, and It would
be one of the first considerations of
my administration to place our pub-
lic schools In the foremost rank of
the schools of our country.
Enforcement of Law.
Seventh. The vigorous enforce-
ment of all the laws of our state.
Ours la a government of law, and
when the law ceases to be supreme,
the perpetuity of government Is se-
riously affected. I shall favor the
continued enforcement of the anti-
trust laws, to the end that the door
of opportunity shall be kept open In
Texas for all our people, and for the
purpoee of protecting them against
plunder by those who would seek
to exploit the masees and Illegally
abeorb the fruits of their toll with
out just return or recompense.
■iMUii University sad A. 41 M.
Ilk, TIM divorcement of the
kd the Agricultur-
eoliege, also leg
A of these greet
Ample provisions should be made
for such additional facilities and sup-
port as may be necessary to provide
accommodations for every student
who may be qualified to enter these
Institutions and who may desire to
do so.
Wholesome legislation.
There are many other equally
Important matters affecting the hap-
piness and welfare of this State
which shall he elaborated upon when
I open my campaign and which It Is
unnecessary to suggest in this pre-
liminary announcement. I am op-
posed tj taking any backward step
affecting the great body of wise and
useful laws passed during the last
few years. The last two sessions of
the Legislature have been marked
by much beneficial legislation,
among which may he found enact-
ments:
Establishing departments of agri-
culture and of labor.
The enactment of many whole-
some laws for the protection of the
laboring classes, and the establish-
ment of additional experimental sta-
tions In the agricultural regions.
The amendment and strengthen-
ing of our anti-trust laws.
The abolition of bucket-shops and
the prohibition of other forms of
gambling.
Providing for the collection of a the abhorrent doctrine that a pub-
tax on the Intangible assets of cor- lie servant, with impunity, repudiate
poratlons, as well as a tax on the and defy the expressed will of the
gross receipts of'corporations, there- party. Every lobbyist who plies his
by making more equitable the distrl- nefarious trade is strongly in favor
bution of the burdens of govern- of the right of repudiation. Every
ment. unholy alliance that is in oonapriacy
The enactment of the Bank Guar- against the people’s interests stands
anty law protecting the depositors for the riuht of repudiation of the
of certain hanks. party’s demands. The conscientious
Enactments regulating the sale public servant whose heart beats in
of intoxicating liquors and material- sympathy with the masses is willing
ly strengthening the laws governing to obey the instructions which they,
such business, and perfecting and give him. He realizes that he was
rendering more effective the local op- not elected to carry out his indlvid-
tion laws. ual views, but that hs holds his com-
Enactment of laws relating to and mission as the people's representa-
be carried out only so far as It meets
with the approval of his conscience.
Such doctrine is subversive of repre-
sentative government and Is de-
structive of a pure Democracy, which
is a government “of the people, by
the people and for the people.” If
the platform of our party is not
binding upon our public servants
then the assembling of the party's
representatives In a convention to
frame a platform is a travesty and a
farce: and the pledge of such a plat-
form Is a fraud and a delusion. Why
the necessity of enacting political
platforms If they are not binding
upon those charged with the duty
of carrying them Into effect? If
such platforms are to he honored
more In the breach than in the ob-
servance then we should dispense
with them altogether and leave our
public servants to conduct the af-
fairs of this State according to their
own wishes rather than in obedience
to the conscience of the whole party
as reflected in its platform. To dis-
regard the solemn commands and in-
structions of our party is to strike
a blow at party integrity and destroy
the confidence of the masses who
hold allegiance to that party. Ev-
ery special Interest In this State de-
siring legislation through which it
may enjoy some special advantage
to which it is not entitled endorses
bition. The mere fact that I am in-
dividually opposed to the adoption
of such an amendment affords no
sufficient or logical reason why I
should oppose the right of the people
to pass upon the question. The
question as to whether the Demo-
cratic party should demand the sub-
mission of such an amendment was
submitted to the Democratic voters
In the last Democratic primary, and
a majority of such voters solemnly
decreed by their ballots that sucu
uemaud should he made. In accord-
ance with this expressed will of th*»
democracy there was placed in the
Democratic platform a plank de-
manding that this amendment be
submitted to a vote of the people.
The democracy of the entire State
voted upon the question. The Issue
was clearly made within the ranks
of the party. That Issue was fought
out before ihe democracy and a ver-
dict was rendered against those yho
conten ’i*d that such an amendment
shoul I not he submitted to the ar-
bitraeient of the supreme will of the
people of Texas.
Bight of People to Rule.
No only was submission of this
amendment a platform demand hut
It was the only platform demand In
the history of the Democratic party
that was ever written therein by the
solemn votes of the democracy. The
statutes of this State made specific
provision for just such action as this.
This statute was strictly complied
with, and to deny its binding effect
is to declare this law under which
submission was legally written In
the platform a nullity. I am not
willing to say that I must believe in
the wisdom of the adoption of an
amendment before I would favor its
submission to a vote of the people.
The sole question with me is: Do
the people desire to pass upon the
question involved? If so. It Is sub-
versive of the cardinal principles of
democracy to deny them that priv-
I feel, therefore, that I enjoy an ex-
ceptional Insight into the requlre-
quirements of ail the affairs of the
State government, which will enable
me to discharge the Important du-
ties of the office of Governor in a
manner agreeable to the people and
In consonance with the best Inter-
ests of the State.
Record an Attorney General.
I feel that I can, with propriety,
refer you to my record as Attorney
General as a sufficient assurance
that I will keep all promises which
I make to you. During my tenure
of office there has been collected
and turned Into your Treasury more
than $2,000,000 in penalties inflicted
upon the heartless and monstrous
combinations which were formed to
illegally extort from the people un-
conscionable exactions. The collec-
tion of this money has contributed
to the lowest tax rate In the history
of the State. There have been re-
covered for the school children of
Texas more than one hundred thous-
and acre's of public domain Illegally
held by others. I have endeavored
to enforce the laws fairly and Im-
partially; and should I he chosen
Governor o fthls great State it shall
he my purpose and endeavor to car-
ry the same principles of impartial
justice Into the administration of
the important duties of that office.
While T believe in a firm enforce-
ment of all the* laws, I as firmly be-
lieve that no interest should he har-
assed by vexatious or capricious lit-
igation. hut that every interest,
great or small, should receive full
protection and encouragement so
long as it observes our laws.
Is Grateful for Past Favors.
Finally, I desire to acknowledge,
my gratitude to the people of Tex-
as for the honors heretofore confer-
red upon me, and In keeping with
that sense of propriety actuating me
In the discharge of every duty lin-
any one can give that faithful per-
sonal attention to his official duties
which the people have the right to
expect and yet spend the largest
part of his time in an active cam-
paign for another office.
Shall Lay Aside Present Office.
It Is. therefore, my purpose to re-
sign the office of Attorney General
on the 1st of January next and then
enter upon an active campaign. I
cannot find it In my heart to eat the
people’s bread and not give a fair
return in honest service for it. I
shall for these reasons lay aside both
the honors and emoluments of my
present office and as a private citi-
zen seek the suffrages of the honest
democracy of the State, content to
accept their verdict and willing to
be tried and tested by their Judg-
ment.
With a feeling of absolute confi-
dence In the result of the contest I
ask my friends In every section of
the State to join with me In per-
petuating in Texas thoRo principles
of good goverment established and
upheld by such sterling Democrats
as Coke, Rengan and Hogg, to the
end that our State may continue to
advance, leading all other sections
as a commonwealth where the will
of the people reigns supreme.
R. V. DAVIDSON.
Austin, Texas. November 16, 1909.
Hon. John Doyle Will Run.
Hon. John Doyle, for the past
three ye.irs nssp'.jint coun' r attori'cy
under G. P. Brown, county attorney,
informs us that he will soon an-
nounce for county attorney of Col-
lin county. He Is a fine young law-
yer, a close student, a moral, high-
toned gentleman, has made good as
assistant, and would without doubt
make a strong county attorney.
When lie makes his announcement,'
lie will have a strong following.
— Ri.V. —
DAVIDSON
£andidat>e
........for =
Governor.
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protecting the health of the people.
■The establishment of the anti-
pass and anti-lobby laws advocated
so earnestly by that patriot and
[great friend of the people, the la-
mented James Stephen Hogg.
|I cannot here attempt to enumer-
ate all the useful and wholesome
[legislation enacted by recent Legis-
latuies and which are beneficial to
the people, yet, It is my earnest con-
viction that much has been done that
has proven to have been both wise
and expedient. Doubtless exper-
ience will demonstrate that some of
these laws will need strengthening
[and perfecting.
■l believe in an economical admin-
istration of the government and shall
endeavor with all my power to so di-
rect its affairs as not to increase the
[burdens of the people.
The mere mention of the foregoing
is sufficient to rail attention to the
manifold interests affecting the wel-
fare and well-being of a great
State. But chief among all Issues,
and one which is especially import-
ant at this time, owing to the ten-
dency to overthrow it, Is the right
of the people to rule. I do not be-
lieve that the doctrine that a public
servant has the right to repudiate a
solemn platform pledge will ever
meet with the approval of the ma-
jority of the sterling Democrats of
this State. It Is contrary to every
tradition of our party. Such doc-
trine in the years gone by has nev-
er found lodgment in the hearts of
those whose fidelity and service to
the Democratic party form the most
glorious chapter In Its history.
No Mental Rr—rvallow.
I believe that It is contrary to the
fundamental principles of Dem-
ocmcy to mr that a public oAdsl
had a right to aecept a position of
*1
ft*
tive and Is under a solemn duty to
carry out his Instructions, unsullied
by a single act of repudiation. This
is the people’s government and they
are entitled to have Its affairs ad-
ministered as the majority may de-
cree.
Believes in T/ocal Option.
Individually, I do not favor State-
wide prohibition, I believe that the
local option system provided by our
Constitution, whereby any county,
justice precinct, city or town, may
determine from time to time wheth-
er the sale of Intoxicating liquors
shall be prohibited within such dis-
tricts. is a wiser policy than the en-
actment of State-wide prohibition
when many sections of our State by
large majorities of their people do
rot desire It, This view has been a
life-long conviction. A large por-
tion of our 8tnte has already adopted
local option and now enjoy the ben-
efit* of prohibition Just as complete-
ly and Just aa effectively aa If State-
wide prohibition were In force. Lo
cal aelf-government has ever been
one of the fundamental and cardinal
features of a democratic form of gov-
ernment. Many of our moat emi-
nent men differ widely on the ex-
pediency of the party undertaking
to eatabllah auch legislation when
such a large per cent of the people
object to It and when they have a
remedy at hand which seems to be a
most satisfactory one. If elected
Governor of Texas, I here and now
pledge myself to carry out the will
and expressed wish of roy party on
that as on all other Issues. If we
are to recognise the right of a ma-
jority to control the affairs of the
Democratic party, then we most ac-
quleece In tbs result of their will
solemnly expressed. For this reason
I am In favor of the Legislature sub-
mitting a constitutional
«B ism .W.iwi w stat«-«n»4rc
ilegp. The declaration In the plat-
form of the Democratic convention
was the last expression of the party
on this question, and as long as the
attitude of the party remains un-
changed I shall consider It of blnd-
lnh force, and shall act accordingly.
Will of Majority Should Im* Observed.
By every sense of right and Jus-
tice the people are entitled at all
times to have the will of the majori-
ty carried out. It was never con-
templated by the founders of our
Tarty that the majority of the vote
of this State should plead In
for the privilege of engrafting upon
the organic law of the State any
amendment which their wlBdom dic-
tates Is right and proper. To deny
them this right puts them at the
caprice of the servant clothed with
power and strikes at the very basis
of free government. Such a power
can be wielded in preventing im-
provement and extenalon of the pub-
lic schools; can thwart the economic
and Industrial development of the
State: can prevent the improvement
of public highways: can prevent the
enactment of wholeaome legislation
affecting the welfare of the people.
Such a power Is the most dangerous
principle w'hlrh haa been asserted in
the history of our great State. Aa
your Governor I will earnestly and
faithfully endeavor to have the will
of the people carried out so far as
shall lie In my power to do so.
An of these vital principles will be
fully discussed at a later time when
the people are ready to devote their
attention to the consideration of the
questions Involved In this campaign.
Hue Exceptional Insight.
As your Attorney General I have
had occasion to advise officially ev-
ery department of government. This
bis brought me In clone touch with
hwiA mi the nubile
posed by their partiality, I make
this further statement. Last year I
was nominated for the office of At-
torney General for the third term.
This election was an endorsement of
my course in that office and a vindi-
cation against the unjust assaults
made by those who opposed me. 1
sought the third election to finish
the work I had begun In the Interest
of the people and for the vindication
of their laws. The work then In
hand Is now well nigh complete. I
feel that I have both kept the faith
and fought a good fight. My official
duties prevented my making a cam-
paign before the people last year be-
yond my opening speech at Corsi-
cana. 1 now feel that I safely en-
trust the duties of my present posi-
tion to other hands. I believe that
under existing conditions a thorough
and effective campaign of the State
Is not only appropriate but neces-
sary. I feel that to conduct auch a
campaign as Is demanded by this
changed condition in the method of
nominating candidates for State of-
fices will take my time and efforts
and will necessitate my absence
from the Capitol during the cam-
paign and necessarily a neglect of
the duties of the offee I now hold
would be the result. A campaign
for the nomination that would give
promise of success will demand auch
attention as to render the perform-
ance of official duties Impracticable.
To continue In my present office
would place me In the attitude of
receiving the people’s money.in a saW
ary for services not rendered. This
I am unwilling to do. Conditions are
wholly unlike those obtaining In
the old days when Hogg and Culber-
son ran for Governor. A campaign
before our primaries renders It Im-
portant, U not necessary, that I
should meet the people la every Mo-
tion of our grant state, i do not be-
lieve that under preesffi
I*U> WILSON DEAD.
Former Collin Countv Citizen Dies at
Roswell, N. M.
News has been received here of
the death of Bud Wilson, Dec. 18,
at his home at Roswell. New Mexico.
Mr. Wilson was formerly a promi-
nent Weston farmer, but about seven
years ago moved to New Mexico.
We are In receipt of a letter from
C. M. Largent of Morkel, In which
he atates that upon receipt of The
Democrat-Gazette each week, he
feels that he haa a letter from home.
To show hia appreciation he enclosed
a check for $2.00 to pay hla subscrip-
tion to January 1912, Mr. Largent
has many friends In this county,
where he waa reared. He was In bus-
iness at Melissa for several rears and
In thla city for awhile, but lef* here
for West Texas, where he bought
land and we unJerJand, has been
very successful in a financial way.
It gives us pleasure to continue
sending our Weekly to his address.
We had a pleasant call from
Prof. John C. Allen, teacher of the
Dublin school, one of the best men
in the county. He is a fine young
man—moral, upright and “square/*
and one of the beet and most pro-
gressive teachers in the entire
county. Prof. Allen renews for his
favorite county paper, the Weekly
Democrat-Gazette, and has us to al-
so send him the Dallas News.
Thanks.
Miss Maggie Talklngtoa and
brother, Troy, of Prosper, visited our
office. Troy and another
tor, Miss Myrtle, who are
la the Academy of Trtalty Ui
Waxahachie, are apeailtaffi tha
ty at Was
Christmas
-'.T.-V
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Perkins, Tom W. & Wilson, Walter B. The Weekly Democrat-Gazette (McKinney, Tex.), Vol. 26, No. 48, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 30, 1909, newspaper, December 30, 1909; McKinney, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth857146/m1/2/?q=waco+tornado: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Collin County Genealogical Society.