La Grange Journal (La Grange, Tex.), Vol. 44, No. 3, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 18, 1923 Page: 1 of 6
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ftatfinmiK Jountiil
Opposite Masonic Building. Published Every Thursday Morning and Entered at the Post Office as Second-Class Matter
By B. F. Harigel
Democratic in Principle and a Worker For LaGrange and Fayette County
$2.00 Per Year
Volume 44
LaGrange, Fayette County, lexas, Thursday, January 18, 1923
Number 3
THINGS IN GENERAL ! 1
Remarks by the Editor
JR WEEKLY POEM
Sonld current opinion dercree that the act
of the majority of the State Senate in re-
questing Jim Ferguson to address that body is
to be considered as step to giving Jim what he
has lost by impeachment, the howl is apt to
be heard from every section of the State. The
reverse is likely to be heard also, and this
might be considered as one of the reverse
opinions. I am not going to place the propo-
sition in the religious light of “Judge not lest
ye be judged" but I shall my remarks with the
same freedom that has characterized other ut-
terances found in the columns of this paper,
.especially the first page matter. Hatred
should be eliminated from the hearts of men,
if it is possible, yet I have to admit that it is
n real job to eliminate some of the chaps who
make their living by preying upon the creduli-
ty of a people who are seeking to make a
honest living by tilling the soil.
Jim Ferguson was- impeached in the early
Fall of the year 1918, following one of the
most stormy and historic sessions of the Tex-
as Legislature. In the minds of many there
is still a serious doubt as to whether the whole
blamed fuss was anything short of a political
stunt; further, when it is considered who was
his successor, and the charges that were made
against that successor by Ferguson, the doubt
finds lodgment again, efforts to the contrary
nothwithstanding. The vote cast for Jim
Ferguson against his successor for governor
also showed how the people regarded his can-
didacy, and some of his strongest opponents
have admitted that Jim received a majority
■of the men votes cast—according to the Fer-
guson Forum. Later, following the frequent
announcements that no man impeached could
bold another State office, they decided to have
Jim’s picture painted and hung alongside those
s>f the others who held the office, or honor of
governor of Texas.i ^ ^
inconsistency should east- be ehaaged, this
would probably be in excess of good raising.
Yet we had the impeachment and the bitter
.fight against the man who had been impeach-
ed, and had the results of the elections which
showed that over a hundred thousand voters
in this state of ours still had confidence in him.
Very well, this being admittted, and it is,
there need be no further argument along that
line for the present. The matter reverts back
to the invitation from the Senate which in-
vited him to address the members of that body
last Wednesday. We are told that Jim spoke
in a conciliatory manner, which means that
his remarks were friendly, and I presume, very
much so. Jim is capable of doing this, and
he also possesses the ability to take the hide
off without a smile. This will not, however,
influence the opinion of the man who has been
a careful student of the political history of
the State for the last two years.
The question is, will the stain from Jim
Ferguson’s name be eaffeed in the near fu-
ture? As one who has opposed Jim in every
race he made I have never believed that the
action of the Senate body in placing upon
him the stain of impeachment was as well
merited a3 did those who voted to impeach
him. This may bring on more talk; very well,
let the wags begin. It should not be charged
that in this matter, so late in the day an error
has been discovered, but it should be charged
that—merely agreeing for the sake of argu-
ment—that if Jim was so grossly negligent in
his actions, the searchlight could have been
turned with good effect in other directions. But
it was not, they were after the man who had
fought them and they got him. Now comes
the invitation to address the Senate and the
opportunity was given. If Jim’s picture was
jgood enough—or he as owner of the face paint-
ed—and he was good enough, to hang in the
halls of the capitol and address the upper
house of the Legislature, he was good enough
to let remain as governor when elected by the
majority of voters.
Great men are known to do things that
-quiet the billowy waves and cause calm to
reign. Jim has done this; he may be only
Jim Ferguson in the future, he may not.
Doubt no longer exists that he is a factor in
the political battles of the State and that he
has a following that few men in Texas have.
These supporters of Ferguson are men in
every walk of life, they still believe in him, and
-will back him to the limit in every race he
enters upon. It may mean more political up-
heavel in the future, it may not. The fact that
they have had him in the Senate to deliver an
address, the fact that he delivered one that
was very friendly and that he was given close
attentions, means, perhaps, a courtesy. I can-
ft.
TRAIL’S END
So this the end of the long, long
trail—
That led us far apart—
A tiny house where a hearth fire glows
With tiny flames of gold and rose
To warm my hungry heart.
So this is the end of the weary path
That carried you away
A little house along whose lane
The robins flutter in the dawn
And greet the happy day.
So this is the end of the drear grey path
That led across the sea
A little house along whose walls
The ©yer faithful ivy crawls
And roses nod in glee.
—Hildegarde H. John.
not believe that it does. It will mean a res-
toration of what Jim asked the people of Tex-
as to do when he made the run-off campaign
last August. It will mean that they are go-
ing to give him back what they took from him
when he was ushered out of the state capitol
biulding, back to private life.
Time, the merciful, and ever destructive
agency of years, will make amends in the
minds and hearts of men. Predictions are a
poor substitute for hopes, but they are a priv-
ilege. Men at the capitol building are pre-
dicting ^hat Jjjn,yill be exonerated, and the
drastic law modified; as one who opposed Jim
I hope that this will come to pass. Opposition
to Jim was never fathered because of his im-
peachment, and men should not be compelled
to bear a burden for eternity when reason
teaches that forgiveness is a virtue that is
commendable. The coming sequel may prove
that this surmise is wrong, but I am willing to
stand by that until it is so proven. With me
it was ever a choice between men, and not a
desire to satisfy a personal feeling. Texas has
made a great deal of history in the past; the
members of the House and Senate have as-
sisted in the making. A little more added to
what we already have, will make a little more
but it will not be harmful. Men will change
their minds; others following those who invoke
the penalty will seek to change the order and
give a man a chance. Sum it up yourself and
you will see the point.
The Legislature of Texas is causing many
people to think. Besides this Jim Ferguson
episode, the charge is being made that the Klan
has dominated the House, that the selection of
officers was due to the influence of the Klan.
This is rather an unsolicited report and cannot
hold the friendly opinions of the people of
Texas intact. There is apt to be some severe
criticisms to be published, and there is also a
likelihood of having steps taken to prevent the
influence of those now charged with holding
the whip. Texas cannot afford to get the re-
putation charged to other states. If the Klan
influence is so great as to make it possible to
elect only those who are in sympathy with
their thought, then the Houton Chronicle is
right in it surmisings. What prevails in the
House is charged by the Chronicle as prevail-
ing in the district attorney’s office at Houston,
that the office is 100 per cent Ku Klux. Na-
turally, the Chronicle wants to know if the
cases will be tried according to law, in the
courthouse or in the cow pasture. Then the
same applies to the lower house, which wili
seek to destroy any legislation tending to in-
jure the Klan.
However, faith in the men who are there
to represent the people of Texas, keeps the
hope and wish alive, that good things will
come out of it all. Reverting back to Jim Fer-
guson, and pointing to the example of the Sen-
ate, makes this a stronger proposition. The
people will keep a watchful eye and then the
results will be analyzed. They arc going to
have some spirited debates, take this straight.
The floor leaders are already busy organizing
the forces and the fur will fly in due time. It
only remains for us folks at home to read the
papers and get the jist of doings of these
solons and then stand at the street corners and
cuss and discuss to our heart s content. And
having done this, the majority will feel that
SPENDING UNWISELY
From The Dallas Times-Herald
H. D. Fillers, member of the tate textbook
commission, has now given to the press a
statement setting forth the course or reason-
ing which impelled that commission to make
new textbook contracts that will cost the tax-
payers of the state sums estimated at from
$1,250,000 to over $1,400,000. The statement
is approved by six members of the commission.
Two dissent from it. To Mr. Fillers and the
five other endorsers of the statement the cost
does not seem so great. In regard to this
they say:
“Statements in the press estimating the
cost of these changes are highly exaggerated.
We estimate the total cost will be approxi-
mately one dollar per child for the next year.
When the total figure only is given, it creates
the impression that the bill is enormous; but
this does not appear so large when one consid-
ers purchasing books for a million and a
quarter children in one lot.”
We confess we do not follow this reason-
ing. Whether the books are bought for a
million and a quarter or two million and a
quarter children, the fact that counts is the
fact that the purchase involves the expenditure
of over one million dollars and that at a time
when the schools of Texas are hard beset
for funds.
Is thi3 expenditure essential at this time?
Is this the wisest way to spend a million and
more of school funds at a period when rural
schools are having to close their doors before
the school year is ended? These are the ques-
tions to be answered.
The statement of the six members essays
to answer them. It says in effect that the
books contracted for are superior to those now
in use. In this connection, these six members
deplore what they call “an unsigned pamphlet
containing hand-picked testimonials in favor
of &. book replaced.”
Evidently' that pamphlet hr am called
“Frozen Facts.” We have seen a cdjjy of it.
It contains statements from some two hundred
county superintendents declaring the present
arithmetics satisfactory. It further contains
statements from some three hundred and
eighty superintendent school districts and prin-
cipals of schools declaring the present arithme-
tics satisfactory. No matter who sought the
opinion of this wide stretch of actual school
men, there it is. It speaks for itself. It comes
from those who make daily U3e of the text,
books. It is an honest opinion of men who
are experts. It is not worth great considera-
tion?
The members of the commission signing
the statement declare that a spirit of “give
and take existed in the deliberations of the
commission.” It did indeed. A spirit of giv-
ing contracts, in a perfectly legal way, of
course, and also a spirit of taking from the
school revenues, in a perfectly legal way, of
course, money that we arc convinced could have
been more wisely spent to some other
school end.
they have done their duty. If that were not
posible we would find few things to fu33 about.
Blessings oftentimes come in disguise. May
this prove true for once. »
--o
According to the returns published Judge
Fly of Gonzales has been dsfeated for the
State Senate by A. J. Wirtz of Seguin. This
was a bitter disappointment to many who had
hoped that splendid Gonzales citizen would win
his race. Judge Fly served in the lower house
for a number of years, and was one of the
ablest men >n that body. His mind was ever
active and his efforts ever exercised to the
best interests of his constituents. His defeat
in this instance spells little, his work will live.
He made a splendid race against a combina-
tion of circumtances over which he and his
friends had no control, and he lead his oppon-
ent until the counties of Comal and Guadalupe
were reached. Although his opponent, a dem-
ocrat, was active in his endeavors to re-elect
Harry Wurzbach, republican, for congress, be-
caue of being his law partner, the voters of
the two counties mentioned centered upon him
with a vengeance. That is the usual run of
politics and will be for some time to come.
-o-
Members of the Texas Press Association
will hold a Mid-Winter session in February,
and from present indications there is going
to be a very large attendance. Many of the
boys of the Fourth Estate are members' of the
Legislature, and this will cause1 interest in the
Texas press to be kept alive. In fact, the boys
are determined to gain better presstige in pub-
TROOPS WITHDRAWAL
Rather Late Yet Wiae Decision
Washington’s order for the withdrawal of
troops from Coblenz has received its full quota
of comment from the press, and thia was to be
expected. In fact, It waa expected from other
souices that the order would come sooner than
it did. It has been a matter of much comment
that our boys have had to remain in Franco
as long as they did, and the boys over there
have very likely entertained the same opinion.
But they are coming home, now, and the fact
that they are going out of Germany just as
France’s troops are going in would seem to
indicate that Uncle Samuel is not pleased with
the ways of France. It may also indicate the
result of pressure brought to bear in this coun-
try that our boys were only in the camp for
friendly reasons.
Either of which matters little. France’s
determination to make Germany toe the mark
—not financially speaking, as the mark of Ger-
many is nothing but a scrap of paper—and
bent on getting that reparation money. In
view of the fact that they are not able to agree
with themselves and envious eyes are being
cast worse than sheep eyes, the withdrawal
of our troops is not a bad move ut all. There
is likely to be some problems to come up for
settlement, however, and these problems will
bob up in due time. One of the first to create
a little interest was the announcement which
came from Coblenz, where our boys have had
the opportunity to meet with the fiaxen-haired
and pretty girls. SayB this d ipatch:
“The more or less secret marriages to Ger-
man girls of about 200 American soldiers of
the 1,080 remaining here are giving the army
authorities concern in connection with the
order for the troops to i-eturn home. Such
marriages have not been sanctioned by the
army, and the question has arisen whethe;
some of these German wives will be barred
under the American immigration laws. Offi-
cer* of the staff have tutor this up with Wash-
ington, and hope to arraage for the return of
all the soldiers’ wives and families.”
Why cert, let the officers take up the mat-
ter with Washington. The president is a good
man, and a married man. He is not going to
feel unkindly to the Sammies who have ape.it
the years over in the Coblenz section, and no
other man, let his agency be where it may,
will feel inclined to divorce these buddies who
have been enjoying connubial felicity so far
away from home. The feasible proposal is that
the open gate at the landing station be author-
ized so that the boys and their families can
come in a bunch back to the land that is proud
of them and also proud to have them relieved
from a duty that seemed rather superficial.
lie affairs, and do away with some of the
taffy at running for office time, when every
newspaper office becomes flooded with requests
for the insertion of some political dope, free
of charge. Besides, there is going to be an
organized effort to get some publication laws
that will prove to be a benefit to the newspa-
per men. From the office of the State Press As-
sociation secretary comes the information:
“The president, Denver Chesnut, wants two
hundred members of the Association to be
present.” This is all very nice, and will like-
ly come to pass, but what are publication laws
good for if you have to bid on a small piece of
public advertising against publishers who cut
their rates down to a pittance in order to get
the work? It is my intention to be with the
boys next month, and it is a safe bet that the
Austin folks are going to have things in good
shape for us when we get there.
Winchester, located In the Northwestern
end of the county, is arranging for a unique
celebration to take place on Tuesday,
January 30th, upon which day the people of
that little village will expect all who can ar-
range to come to be with them. The San An-
tonio & Aransas Pass Railway Company will
run a farm special, consisting of thirteen
cars filled with farm exhibits, live stock and
poultry into one of the side tracks on that
day and will remain in Winchester from
twelve o’clock noon until one o’clock in the
afternoon, in order that everyone present
may have the opportunity to see what the
company is showing to the people along
their route. This is another of the demonstra-
tion trains that is touring the farming sec-
tions of Texas, and is recognized as one of
the best methods of educating the interested
people. The citizenship of Winchester, alive
to the opportunity of bringing more people
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La Grange Journal (La Grange, Tex.), Vol. 44, No. 3, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 18, 1923, newspaper, January 18, 1923; La Grange, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth997784/m1/1/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fayette Public Library, Museum and Archives.