The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-03-29
Pen PICTURES.
THE REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS.
A Few individuals of the Texas Legisla-
ture-Their Weight Mentally-style
OF their Execution of Public
DRties-vtvidiy Drawn

,rnmineat members of the house 81 the
nineteenth legislature, your correapon-
dent, taking chem alphabetically, win
first mention
Ms. ALEXANDER,
of Hunt county, il II whilome iournal-
ist, and while he belonged to the guild,
edited and published one OF
the best and most infiu-
sntial papers in the state
Int finding the business was pretty
much all 'Iove's labor lost" with little
glory and less money in it, iudiciously
abandoned the fed for pastures new
and went into the fire insurance bust
ness, which avocation re now follows.
He is an able and useful member, and
his county chose wisely and well when
they conferred Legislative konors upon
him. Heis very quiet member, but
always speaks at the right time and in
way to DO heard and felt, both in com
mittee and in the honse. AS the author
OF the railroad commission bill first in
troduced in the house, he has made con.
siderable reputation for himself, and in
his speech, an able and exhaustive eff
fort in behalf of railroad supervision
and control by the state 10 prevent dis.
examinations, he voiced The sentiments
Ol
an enjoyable place in the estimation of
the whole house for his ability and no.
search.
MR.. GAVIN,
of Harrison county. Mr.. Gavin has
served in two terms OF the legislature
priOr to this one and has, therefore, a |
ripe experience as q legislator. He is |
an attentive, industrious, working
member, always at his post, and always
Watching osely every measure under |
consideration, whether 1t be of general |
or local application. Well versed in
parliamentary law and usages, he |
knows well how shrewdly to use the
same in advocacy or in opposition of
bill, as his Judgment may dictate. |
Broad, liberal and conservative In his |
views, he is nearly always correct on
the questions that arise, and being a
ready and forcible 0ehater, not so much |
OF the ornate and graceful style, as the |
dge-hammer, logical Kind he can ever |
give good and substantial reasons for |
the positions he takes. AS chairman of |
the committee on agriculture, he has
kept keen eye on the agricultural in |
terests OF the state, the foundation OF all |
prosperity, and he has ably subseryed |
those interests.
NE. CoCHRANE,
Of Austin county, il next To the young
est member OF the house, being only q |
years of age. He is a lawyer, and for
short time of his life was d journalist,
but wisely forsook that field of blasted |
hopes, withered ambitions and dis |
appointed anticipation. He is a mem |
Der faithful TO his constituents ana |
faithful to the state. He attends to |
business strictly in the house and in
committee. He has occupied but little
of the time OF the house in speaking, but
when he takes tine floor he is listened TO
with marked attention for he is a most
graceful, fluent and forcible orator.
MR.. CooMBEs,
Of Dallas, Is Que OF tho solid members.
An able lawyer, the weight of his learn
ing has been felt IN tho judicial com
mittee and the impress of his ability left
on many Of the laws enacted by this
legislature. He Is not frequent speak
er, but whenever he addresses the
house he speaks directly to the point,
logically and with sound reasoning and
views. He is beyond
doubt one of the best Legislators the
house can boast,
MR., CRAvENs,
OF Montgomery may be termed the hui
morist Of the house. Not that he is
much given to Proc, or Knott or Mark
Twain addresses, for when he does
speak he INDUCES only In logical conclu-
sions HISTORICALLY presented, but he is
always perpetrating jokes or getting up |
something Tor the amusement OF his |
fellow members. He is An able lawyer
and an excellent legislator, attending
closely to duty.
MR.. FOSTER,
CT Grayson, who has served as a mem
Der Of the house several terms, is
learned lawyer, indeed, his views on all !
legal points arising In the house have
more weight with members than those
Of perhaps any other lawyer In the
house. He maRes his duties as q lSgis-
latOr his first consideration AMI there
fore IL never absent from his seat or
from committee meeting. He gives
all measures careful thought ana his
conclusions are rarely ever gainsaid or |
on the losing sido. As chairman OF the |
committee on educational affairs he has |
watched closely the educational inter. |
ests Of the state aud has !
wrought some Nholeso ne changes /
in the existing laws on |
that department | suspose IL may I've !
termed, of our states affairs. Mr. Eos. |
ter Is clear, lucid and strong debater |
and never fails To hold the house in |
close attention when he SPEAKS.
MIR. HAMILTON.
The young member from Comanche |
county, "the COmanche Chief" az hrs |
friends familiarity term, is a young man !
Of most excellent ability, lawyer Of !
fine Rttaiuments and has bright fu. |
turo before him. He makes an able |
legislator, for he IL painstakiug, assidu- |
Gus and always on duty. He speaks |
well and Ia Gle lr, pointed and conserva-
tive In all his views.
MIR. LINN,
OF Victoria, Is legislator of ripe ex
perience and combines happily all the |
elements necessary for useful and in-
huential member. He Is full of busi- |
ness from one days end TO another, let's |
no question of moment escape his care |
full consideration, and his views on all
measures are sound, practical aud |
commonsense, Genl;d, suave and |
kindly In his nature, he Is universal |
favorite and wields q large Influence. !
He does not talk n great deal, but |
when he does express himself |
so openly, frankly, reasonably, con- |
servatively aud sonsibly that his words |
carry weight aud nearly always con- |
viction with them. Az chairman OF the |
committee on revenue and taxation he |
has had heavy burden of labor upon |
him In preparing tho tax bill, but he has
proven hlmseii ABLY equal 10 the emer- !
gency.
AIR. LUsK,
OF Fannin, Is one "a the most brilliant
members of the house. He is an able
and learned lawyer, although but a
young man, Many years on inc sunny
side OF ~, and NJ county attorney OF his
county, he made most enviable record,
He mas spoken hut a few times during
tho session-indeed, but twice no tar, /
belieya, bat each time he has proven
himself TO DO an orator In the true seuse
OF tho word. Logical In his conclusions,
rhetorical In his language, his diction Is
chasto aud ornato,and his delivery such !
IA TO enchain the house, He has ever !
been at his post OF duty, aud has iabored |
well aud faithfully Tor bis constituents,
and for the entire state ~ well.
MIR. M'KGNNEY,
Of Walker, who WAS the choice OF many |
members for speaker, because ut his /
great experience as Legislator and his |