The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-04


ence him. His intimate iriendsiatps we've
formed with prudent care--once formed he
cnershed them with tenacsGy, and per
nliuted no temporary enlargement 10 de-
sLoy them.
AS governor of Texas he established a
reputation for statesmanship eXcelled by
no one who has flied uhat office. His mes
sagts attest the boldntss wiu1 wnlch he
advocates sweeping REFORMS which, being
adopted, did much to promote education
and economy in appropriations. to reduce
taxation, and check the growing jealousy
between sections He believed tnat tle
building of this splendid capJtol would tend
20 promote the unity of Texas. snd his in
fluence was actively given In aid of the
bills under watch II was constructed. He
loved with intense devotion the State whose
people had 50 often honored h m. He never
forget that Texas entered hae Union as u
SO equal sovereign, after she had achieved
her independence rs a republic. lie re-
membercd when the great nations OF Eu-
rope sent their ministers to Austin. the
capital of the republic Hnd when that re-
public was represented at their courts by
MS personal friends. This Texas in all its
vast circumference was TO him a land OF
beauty and of grandeur, of Inspiration and
Of hope, within whose ample borders he be-
lieved that freedom, regulated by law.
would abide forever.
Though distinguished as governor and
educator-those who knew him best VIII
prefer 10 remember him as the Judge. In
the lottery OF life, h.gh prizes are Often
appropriated by fnedtucrity, but Judic'al
prefeiment is seldom secured by accident,
and never long retained unless deserved.
IL was a kind providence that shielded the
youth OF Ju1gp Roberts from that wealth.
which breeds Incidence, and from the lux
ury that eneryates. Like the great ma
lSrlty of lord chancellors OF England keep
ers OF the great seal and of the kings con
sc ence) no adHcved judicial distinction
under the spur of necessity, or tbirty-one
who became lord chancellors or England
in succession, twenty -four began life peer
and but few inherited a title Necessity
qulckened the energies OF Judge Roberts
in his early life. a~akeneI his ambition,
and compelled HIM TO grasp and utilize his
opportunities.
His opinions. rendered in eight VOLUMES
of reports from Hunt Va. Wt1tleriofd 70
Lacoste vs.. DUFFY, are familiar TO your
hon.rs They are expressed in language w
clear and direct and often with argument
- convincing ueat the lawyer scarcely
KNOWS which most TO admire-~the siAis 81
ths writer or The wisdom OF the inrist
Chief Justice Wheeler in lSG3-~afier the
resignation Of Judge Roberts--said 70 me;
Judge Roberts Is a great man he toii
me thst he was much impressed wAen as
scciattd wth him with his methods OF IN
yeSt lgaiiou: thar ne WOULD hrst maaler
carefully the record, and tnen without ek-
aminlng authorities, announce IN coDsuita-
ton his conclusioDs OF law. which even IN
case of first presentation. ne afterwards al
mcst invariably found authority TO sustain.
That after carefully considering L record
he rarely ever c1nnged his opinion, though
he never manifested the slightest feelng
WHEN oyerruled by his associates.
Ny opportunities as reporter OF his de-
q ssans through ten volumes, enabieA me
10 know much CT his methods. This mental
process through whlcJ he reached concur
sicns was so methodlcal and exact tn@t
10 not remem ber an Instance in whicn ne
ever rewrote an op mon. They wore often
interlined. but never except tc express more
fsgcsbly an idea already conveyed. Even IN
advanced age be could pass at once from
mental labor which deeply interested nm.
10 cheerful and animated conversation on
every day affairs This admirable TEMPER
ament, whfos subjected his mental actiyl-
ties 10 his Will. secured for him quickly the
benefit OF needed repose ~ speaker ne
was not fluent. but his earnest manner
convinced the nearer of his sincerity ana
always commanded attention. In long
public lite no man wlso knew him eyer
doubted his integrity, or believed that ne
could 70 a dLshonorable act. So posit.ye
and uYcompromising was he In advocating
wtsat he believed TO bs right that ne could
net escape censure. but even his most preJ-
udiced adversary never doubted his hon
ssty OF purpose. Perhaps the highest trib-
ute TO his personal character - found In the
fact that though he never speculated In
business and was economical in MIA habits
vel sfter a long and eyenifui life during
witch many opportunities existed for the
easy accumulation OF wealthy re died
poor man No marble shaft 10 needed 70
berpetu&ts his memory-the records OF