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Newspaper
San Antonio Sunday Light
Location
San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
Date
Jun 25, 1905
Page
8
Excerpts from the Surprise newspaper dated 1880 discuss Texas politics and election practices. It highlights a satire on voting corruption, immigration interests, and local party maneuvers, with reflections on civic virtue and the need to vote for qualified candidates over bribery schemes.
The Surprise notes voters in Bexar county face a dire choice amid a deplorable county administration. It condemns officials for excessive spending and a six thousand dollar unauthorised loan, suggesting the deficit is larger. It warns that the same men seek renewal through regular Democratic endorsements and urges defeat at the polls to end old party gains.
The decisive Republican victory in Indiana has spurred broad prosperity across the country. Every business sector gains a fresh impulse, and merchants report higher spirits as Democratic ascendancy seems halted. Wool, cotton, and grain markets brighten as sellers anticipate stronger demand.
Surprise newspaper lists the 1880 Republican ticket with James A. Garfield of Ohio for president and Chester A. Arthur of New York for vice president. Electors statewide James P. Newcomb of San Antonio and J. R. Burns of Galveston, with district electors S. D. Wood Tyler Alex Burge Canton W. H. Andrews McKinney Geo. A. O'Brien Waco Julius Schuetze Austin W. Westhoff Cuero.
Governor E. J. Davis Lieutenant Governor A Siemering State Treasurer J W Thomas Comptroller D Wood Commissioner General Land Office Jacob Kuechler Attorney General W O Hutchison Judge of Appellate Court J B Williamson
Representative State Legislature W. Ogden. County Judge Geo Paschal. County Attorney L. C. Grothaus. District Clerk James G. Fisk. County Clerk R. Wulfing. Sheriff H. D. Bonnet. Assessor L. M. Gregory. Collector August Biesenbach. Treasurer F. Groos. Surveyor W. M. Lock. Hide and Cattle Inspector Henry Green. County Commissioners Precinct 1 Louis Rummel Precinct 2 L. W. Madaraz Precinct 3 Wm Hoefling Precinct 4 J. W. Light. Justices of the Peace Precinct 1 W. H. Huston F. C. Haneisen. Constable Fred Bader. Floater T. G. Anderson. District Judge Geo. H. Noonan.
A collage of items includes candidate notices for county surveyor W M Locke, remarks on Democratic officials seeking renomination, and praise for Republican figures like Colonel Joe Camp. Mentions the Maine race and Irish voters, a casino crowd at a fair, sidewalk issues, water works dispute, and a suggestion to muzzle rabid dogs in San Antonio.
The item mentions a fair where girls sell kisses and announces a new bridge on Commerce Street. It notes the ice cream season ending soon and overworked clerks taking a short rest. A Mr M M Mooney travels to Marion with a bridal party amid scattered garbled text.
A young woman thanks the readers of the Surprise for a serenade last week. She explains a big dog frightened by the music leaped through a window and toppled their servant girl, causing a scream that scared away the serenading gentlemen. She notes the dog is not mad.
In a street scene Donald Juan and Pedro discuss election corruption and schemes to extract money from Americans. They describe a plan to approach voters with feigned shyness, avoiding upfront payments as a candidate will soon solicit funds. The exchange hints at manipulation in the political process.
The piece notes Christmas on December 25 and presents Santa Claus as the guardian of good children and patron saint of toy merchants. It observes broad preparations by merchants and suggests San Antonio will eclipse its former efforts in holiday displays, urging reader attention to the season.
A 1880 column proclaims San Antonio as home to the finest mossbacks in the nation, praising aged streets, old landmarks, and a diverse moss covered populace. It notes mossbacks across occupations from bar to pulpit and even politics, arguing the city’s enduring character has no superior.
A Harris Press listing indicates a price range of 25 to 35 cents for fruits and vegetables. The note mentions Monday and days like DTG Satin Paper Leaf Fang, suggesting schedule or product detail.
The listing advertises Se Progress Lead Pencils at two for half a cent, syrup jugs in 75 cent value jars for 58 cents, 0 foot items and 10 cent rolls for 25 cents, picture frames 8x10 glass and back, 120 sheets note paper at ten cents.
A lawn sprinkler design allows shifting alignment without turning the water off. Also advertised are Tongs for family use and ic0c Flue Stoppers priced at 10 cents.
A Surprise excerpt from December 1 1880 cites Prof Huxley asserting scientists should be strangled at sixty to force new ideas. He notes ninety nine of a hundred become obstructionists after that age. The writer counters that in town life mosbacks breed and suggests other criteria beyond age.
A satirical notice from December 1880 describes a group nicknamed the happy family living at the courthouse doors. The old coon has gained access to public funds, and the old fox, possum, dominion, grey fox, peacock, owl, and shanghai react with varied pride and relief as two years of public sustenance loom ahead.
The piece notes the Democratic victory bringing Dr. R L Graves as county doctor with strong party support. It lauds his devotion to the party and mentions praise from Judge Devine while recalling his administration of the poorhouse and deathbed care. It references Judge Dwyer’s grim quips about grave digging and coffins.
A public notice invites architects to submit plans for a new state capitol costing about 1.5 million dollars, with bids due January 5, 1884. Critics accuse Roberts and allies of overpromising, warn of a capitol ring, and predict wasteful spending despite a 1700 dollar prize for the winning design, calling for longer competition. The ad signals a supervising architect and two commissioners overseeing the project amid sharp political fault lines.
From Surprise December 1 1889 the item mix lists ale and porter selling ad, Thanksgiving talk, a new stock yard on South Flores near Military Plaza, and Martha the amateur production under Pra Katzenberger. It notes weather, city council election delays, chic camelia buds, and jokes about ears, shoes, and Houston girls. Local ads push screen doors windows and framing services amid lumber company notices.
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