The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-05-04
THURSDAY. MAY 4 1875
LEGIsLATTVE DIREOToHY-sEN-
ATORS
SEVENTH DISTRICT.

Smith. se anu
SENATOR p. DoUGLAs.-In this sketch we
are called upon to reflect how much Texas
owes the Old North State She has sent here
many OF her noblest people, and to their So
llolty OF character is due mach Of the material
prosperity OF Texas. Mr. Douglas was born
in North Carolina. cmigrated to Texas
iwenty-elght years ago, and has done his part
IN bringing about development Of its great
resources
Mr. Douglas has performed some public
service, both civil and military. He voted
for secession, Joined the Confederate army
and was captain of Douglas Texas Battery in
the army of Tennessee in 1862 and 1868, and in
the following year was promoted to the rank of
major In command of battalion Of artillery
in the army. He was one of the Democratic
Senators Of the Twelfth Legislature of Texas
10 1870 and 1871 in which capacity he took
bold stand against the infamous measures
which were, through a forced majority,
practiced upon the people of Texas
In the late election he was the choice of the
Democrats of his district for State Senator,
and was elected to fill his present position
without opposition, receiving 1898 votes.
Senator Douglas is an able debater, and the
efficient chairman Of the Committee on Inter
nal improvements
In closing this sketch we cannot help speak
ing otherwise of Mr.. Douglas. He has at
times graced the tripod with dignity and
effect He was editor Of The Tyler Rep0rter in
1859 and 1850, and after serving for four years
in the army he again took editorial charge Of
the Reporter, IN 1866, and conducted it with
much ability until 1870, when he became a
member Of the Texas Legislature. In 1874,
he organized the Tyler Tap Railway Com
pany, and is still its president Twenty
miles of this road has been built, and thirty
miles is now under contract. He is a fine
business man and has many interests 10 which
he closely applies himself handles large land
matters and devotes part of his time to the
pleasurable occupation Of fruit growing,
which he carries to great success.
Mr. Douglas was raised and educated in
Texas, and devoted portion of his younger
years to teaching. He has practiced law and
edited papers, and yet has been and is still a
good Methodist He is gentleman of family
forty years old about five feet nine inches in
height; of delicate frame modest in his bear
ing, and an interesting and pleasing associate
EIGHTH DISTRICT.
Counties Cherokee, Anderson and Hender
son.
SENATOR CHRISTOPHER C. FRANCIS is a
Tennessean by birth, but was reared in Texas
coming TO this State twentysi years ago. He
is forty-two years old, of commanding appear
ance, and being the posscssor Of lovely wife
and twelve interesting children deserves the
UOSl uOnOTdDlt OH Tic part Vi
his countrymen. Special privileges and i'm
munities were granted in ancient Rome to
such fathers, and why should not Texas,
bidding for population and valuing IT so
much, respect the father of twelve living
children beyond other living men. Napoleon
told the vain Madame De Stael, herself child
less, that the greatest woman in all France was
that one who had borne the most children ;
and this rule, holding good for one parent,
shonld also hold good for the other. 1t be-
comes the duty of DIR. Francis to institute laws
in favor of extra citizen rights to men and
women Of Texas who add thus TO its popula-
ton.
But to write more particularly of DIR.
Francis. He is resident of Rusk, Texas,
where he has lived during his citizenship in
this State. He graduated at the Nashville
Medical University in 1859, since which time
he has practiced his profession, except during
the war, in the town of Rusk. At the break
ing out Of the war, he was appointed surgeon
of the Third Texas Regiment of Cavalry, and
afterwards went into active service with a com
mission rs surgeon of the Tenth Texas
Cavalry, which position he filled until in
1862, when he was made brigade surgeon. Ill
health forced him, after the evacuation of
Corinth, to resign his position, and, after his
recovery, he was appointed surgeon of the
post at Tyler, in which position he served
until the close of the war. Since the war he
has devoted himself to the practice of medi-
cine, and by his skill, his uniform gentle
manly department, his kind and genial dis
position, he has won for himself the love of a
Whole community. He was President of the
Examining Board of Surgeons for the Fifth
Congressional District, and is now President
of the Examining Board of Physicians of
Rusk county. In all his life's duties, DIR.
Francis has been true and firm, and is good
citizen and Democrat, he yields the palm to
no one. He was nominated by the Demo
Gratis OF his district, and elected without oppo-
stion. He has been placed at the head OF
the Senate Committee on State Asylums, and
on several other important committees.