Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-04-28

your record, and say to you that there
Is not II man on this floor who will
ever have occasion to regret the record
he has made. have watched you
faithfully and patiently, and | have
been solicitous for the welfare OF Texas
ana the success OF this house, and 1 am
not disappointed. My observation has
been that you have been faithful and
diligant in the performance OF your
duty. and 1 believe that when the peo-
pie. In their calm deliberations. come to
judge of your record. you will be re-
warded by the approval and good feel
ing OF the people OF this entire state.
For over 100 days | have looked Into
your faces from this stand; for over 100
days have watched your patient and
untiring efforts to promote the welfare
and prosperity Of our great state. You
have had before you n condition OF af-
fairs that never before confronted n
legislature in Texas. and you have met
1t like men and like statesmen, con-
tending individually and collectively for
the furtherance of what you believed TO
be right. You have fought for your
opinions and your convictions in an
honorable, stntesmanliko way. You
have had financial questions to solve.
you have had legal questions to settle.
and you have had contests for seats In
this house. all OF which have been dealt
with by you In manner becoming rep
resentatlve men and statesmen; and
when II came to the question as to
what was right and wrong, party lines
were obliteratcd and Ike conscientious
men you have battled for the right.
Democrats. Populists and Republicans,
all met these issues squarely and honor
ably. We met here total strangers,
and we have labored together like
brothers and men and when you get
home you will carry with YOU the en-
tire frfapdghfr, mud p0nH fna1fpar Of tho
whole house. That was not expected of
you; 1t was not expected by the people
OF Texas. What Is the occasion OF this
and why did It occur? 1t Is because
YOU have been faithful TO your duty,
patient and conscientious and conscr-
vative. In my humble Judgment this
has been as conservative a represent
alive body of men rs could have been
sent to this hall. You have acted, not
like new and inexperienced men. but
like men who had experience and who
have settled the matters I'm a harmo-
Nous ana patriotic way. II would be
unnecessary for me TO recount your la
bors here, II would be pleasant for me
10 the future to recount to your constlt-
uency the record that you have made,
and TO tell them of your earnest and
faithful toll, you have been as faith
full and as honest in the discharge Of
your duties as any constituency could
>
you return home they will be satisfied
with what you have done and Will
thank you for it, No man can accom-
pllsh all that he expects, and no repre-
sentative body of men can accomplish
all that Is expected Of them by the
people, but In the main, and so far as
this could be, / dare say there is not
a man but who, when he comes to sur
vey your labors, viii be thoroughly sat
isfed.
80 far as your association with me
and this token of your friendship and
esteem is concerned, l appreciate It
more than | can tell The emblems
that you have engraved upon the case
OF this beautiful watch are inspiring
You have given me to carry next to
my heart an emblem Of the grandest
capitol of the grandest state in this
Union. II shall remind me that In
peace am expected to devote my en-
orgies and earnest efforts 10 the up
building OF the prosperous institutions
OF this glorious state, and I shall try TO
accomplish your expectations by con-
secrating the unselhsh energies OF Il
vigorous and patriotic manhood to the
service of our state and country. on
the other case Is engraved the coat Of
arms Of Texas; and should II ever be
necessary that / should raise my arm
for the preservation Of Texas or Of this
grand Union, l pledge to you that my
blood and my life would be laid down
to uphold the dignity OF this state and
to protect the liberty OF America. This
coat Of arms was adopted by Texas
when she stood single and alone as n
republic. She was grand and glorious
then, and when she became one OF the
factors in the great collection Of states
she did not lose her individuality. but
added one more shining star 10 the
great constellation. Texas has been a
benefit to this Union and she will CON
tinue to preserve the honor, the dig
nifty and liberty of this nation. We
are now enjoying the blessings OF peace.
and hope we may never see the day
when the rumors Of war or the roar Of
artillery will roll over this land but
n II should ever be necessary we will
stand ready to protect our institutions
and our liberty. I thank you individ-
ually and collectively for YOUR kindness
and consideration throughout this en-
tire session. and ] appreciate this en-
blem of your friendship more than
can express. ask you To accept my
sincere thanks and the assurance OF my
lnsting friendship"