The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-05-16
HOUSE RESOLUTIONS.
They Recognize the Loss rexus Sus-
Trims in Eoxernnr Coke'a Dcnth.


are the resolutions adopted by the house
yesterday evening expressive OF regret at
the death OF Hon. Richard Coke:
Whereas, The house of representatives
has learned OF the death Of the Hon. Rich
ard Coke. which occurred At his homo at
Waco this morning. and
Whereas. This great man was the COM
msnding figure and peerless leader OF the
people OF Texas a; a time OF supreme need
In the crucial struggle for the overthrow
Of she forces Of ignorance and plumber
for the destruction OF the unspeakable
tyranny Of carpetbagisn. for the restora-
ton OF freq Institutions and the re-estab-
lsh.nent OF Anglo Saxon civilization and
democratic government on Texas soil; and
Whereas. Present aud future generations
must ever remain unable sufficiently TO
honor the stout hearts aud fearless patriots
who In the memorable civic conflict Of 1919
and 1873 won again the freeiom OF the peo
pie; and
Whereas. Senator Coke served Texas
many years in public positions, district
Judge. on the supreme bench. In the exc
cutiye office and in the senate OF the
United States. retiring voluntarily at last
TO enjoy rs a private citizen the blessings
OF those free institutions he had done
much 10 secure and TO contemplate with
patriotic pride the happiness OF hs coun-
try which he had done SO much 10 pro-
mote. and
Whereas. Throughout his great career,
alike in private lie aud public position.
he maintained hts integrity without biem-
ish, his honor unspotted his name a
synonym Of patriotic devotion TO the tn
terests OF the people and the glory OF his
country; therefore be It
Resolved by the house OF representa-
adequate terms tho profound sorrow with
which we have learned OF the death of this
great man the learned lawyer. the spot
iess judge. the patriotic chief executive,
thu incorruptible statesman the unqunil-
ng leader, the inlmoyable tribune OF the
people
Resolved further. That these resolutions
together with the attached sketch OF the
life of the ilustrious Coke written by tina,
noble turist statesman, Governor O. NJ.
Roberts, shall BE- spread upon the journal
OF this house and an engrossed copy there
OF forwarded 20 the family OF the deceased.
Resolved. That as further mark OF re-
spect this house do now adjourn till Mon
day next at $50 a. m.
Following "a tho sketch OF the life of
Hon. Ricbhard Coke, by Hon. o. NJ. Rob
eris, referred 10 above:
Governor Richard Coke was born and cd
ucated in tho state NJ Nirrlnia tie when
| a young man, came TO Texas and settled in
| the practice OF law at Naco at which
| place he had become prominent In his nro-
| fession 'when ! first knew him) In 1858,
! lie received In yartnershlp with him 10
| practice Mr.. NJ - Herring. aud afterwards
I James Anderson. He was elected to the
/ Fccegsion convention by Mcclellan county
! in 1851 During the war he was n cap-
! tain IN Colonel Speishts' regiment. which
| WAS most generally commanded by Lieu
] tenant Colonel James Harrison lie was
latf 10 LODI In q a hast Va ~
| IN Louisiana, on the "a. % November, 1868
| He served rs captain of HIS company during
the war declining 10 ,nkc promotion which
| he could have obtained n he had wished
It. Upon the urgent solicitation OF the cit.
| liens OF his section OF the State OF both
linton men and socessIonists in 1855 he
| Was appointed district judge OF his dis
| ,riot by Governor y. J. Hamilton, BE-
fore he would receive that appointment.
however he visited Governor Hamilton at
| the capitol In Austin, bringing with him
| his recommendations, and stated to the
governor that he was Il seeessionist and the
| only regret he had was that he and his
| comrades in the army did not maintain
II successfully and that II he could appoint
him after having made that statement to
him he would accept H. Governor Eamil-
ton replied that he only desired to I'LL tho
| place with competent lawyer and he knew
! him 10 he such n one and made the np-
| nolntment
| In 1866 the caucus composed OF secess lon
lists and moderate Union men at Austin
| that nominated the State executive officers.
placed Richard Coke, with George F.
Moore. George w. Smith. Stockton u. Don
| ly and William r. hin In nomination for
| Justices OF the supreme court OF Texas
He was elected and served on the bench
during tho administration OF Governor
ThrOckmortOn.
During tho administration OF Governor
II. j. Davis. Richard Coke. as attorney
took an active part in the defense OF per-
sons who we're being prosecuted under the
laws then passed, by which he became
prominent In Middle Texas. In 1874 he
was nominated by the democratic conven-
ernor and after a most vigorous canvass
was elected over hls opponent Governor
r.. J, Davis by about 10000 majority.
Under the constitution OF 1869 ne had ,ne
appointment OF the higher judicial ofh-
GERS as governor OF the State and did much
In reforming the judiciary, He also with
great effort put the finances OF me state