The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-09-24

| within the democratic party for congress
| sional honors retiring from the field before
the meeting of the nominating conven-
| lions in his district This district is COM
posed Of the counties of Camp. Gregg. Har-
\ rison, Hunt, Pamela Rains, Rusk, Shelby,
| Smith. Upshur. Van Zandt and Wood.
| Colonel Kilgore did his full share In
| the memorable series OF parliamentary,
| battles which were fought over the force
bill, and it gave him great prominence.
| The republicans in the house declared
that they wanted to dignity Federal cleo
| tons by placing them under judicial SUI
pervision. In an able and exhaustive,
speech against the bill. Mr.. Kilgore
| graphically reviewed the attempt made
to defeat the will of the people Of Texas in
| 1874. through the aid of the State supreme
| court. He gave the full history OF the Rod
| riguez case. In which that court. at the
| instance Of Governor Il. j. Davis, who had
been defeated at the polls by nearly So
| 600 majority, declared valid election null
and void. He said that the people of
Texas, at least. had had enough Of parti-
san judicial intermeddling of the ballot.
| Colonel Kilgore's fight against the Fed
eral elections bill was determined and
uncompromising. When Speaker Reed went
so far as to order the doors OF the house
| locked. so as to prevent the egress OF
members he found one man who had the
courage to successfully deny him and OBJ
solutely kicked hts way to liberty. The
following humorous account of the incident
Is from the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
1t will not be recorded in the Congress
sional Record, for that unique journal
Is a record OF words and not of deeds.
Nevertheless, II truthful history OF the
doings in the present congress is ever
written. one of the most thrilling chapters
| in il will be that which narrates kilgores
kick for liberty.
| TrI,n lad or
throne Before him, in semi-circles ranged,
his yassals sat, part anxiously submissive
to his lightest nod: part frowning and de-
fant. His myrimidons guarded every door.
The lobbies halls and committee room
had been searched for straying members.
and quorum gathered in response to
the pressing invitation Of the sergeant at
arms.
i But the atmosphere of the hall was too
close for the democrats accustomed to
breathe the air of freedom. One by one
they moved coward the doors. The sash
begirdled potentate nodded to the door
keeper. The doorkeeper nodded to his dep
utes. simultaneously the keys turned IN
the locks OF all the doors OF exit. and the
tribunes of the people were prisoners at
the mercy OF the beted boss.
Up rose Kilgore of Texas resolute Of
purpose, stalwart OF frame, massive OF
foot With light clinched fist, set teeth
and ewes aflame. the fiery Texan strobe
down the aisle after the chair had ruled
and made for the door which leads to the
speakers lobby. Make way for liberty!
unlock the door," he Numbered. The
doorkeeper neither moved nor spoke For
one brief moment, Kilgore's foot, shod
/, with the yastness and might OF majestic
: Texas, swung in air. and then. with one
blow, as fateful as that which burst the
door of the Bastlle and let freedom upon
La h. IL bod dc NAV m
1t was a stunning blow. He stunned
Dingley OF Maine, who was on the other
. side, locked out, as Kilgore was locked in.
The door, resentful of the Texans violence.
wreaked its revenge on Dingley's nose.
3 AS the stalwart Texan. defiant and
triumphant. strobe passed the shattered
door out of the hall, the bruised and bat
e tered man from Maine. holding his nose
, in agony, ran in to appeal for retribution.
9 But the despot's power was gone. Kilgore's
, mighty kick had smashed the prison door.
s broken the republican despot's rule,
0 busted" the quorum, and battered re-
!. publican nose.
t II was a magnificent kick a kick to be
g recorded in history and celebrated In song
and story,
After Ghis episode Judge Kilgore served
5 Que further term in the house OF repre-
5 sentatives; he moved to the Indian Terri
, tory shortly after his retirement from
o congress and President Cleveland APP
{ pointed him Federal Judge. His term
e has not vet expired. but he has been re-
\ Gently caused considerable worriment by
9 efforts to have Mckinley Gust him in order
: to make room for spoilsmen. 1t was under
n stood. however, that he was to be per-
: mitted to serve out his term.
S Judge Kilgore was an old school Pres
e byterian. Mason and Knight OF Honor.
|. He died full Of honors, but with few riches.
r Burial at wills Point.
d Wills Point. Texas. September 2a-Judgs
q G. b. Kilgore, who died at Ardmore. !, T..
this afternoon. VIII be buried here. his
4 former home. tomorrow afternoon with Ma
q sonic honors.
Remembered at Washington.
!. washington. September 2S.--As a mem
u Der OF congress from Texas. Judge kilsor'
: was one OF the best known In life he wa
: called "Buck" by his intimates ana az
= tracted wide reputation in the FIFTY Is
~ | congress BY kicking open green oaiI
! door which had been locked py oroer