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

1864 was followed by the election of Judge
tt0Derts 10 supply the vacancy Oh th1 b=acn,
though he was then commanding his resi-
ment ana was not canuiddte for The Of
fice.
When Texas, after the surrender OF the
Com edsiate armies, attempted TO recon-
stlllst clyil government. Judge ROBERTS was
elected 10 the United States senate. Al
Washington he was never recognized as a
senator. While there awaiting the action Of
the senate ne met in corridor Of the capt.
tol the Hon. A. j. Hamilton and asked mis-
opinion regarding the probability OF his
beng seated MIR. Hamilton. whosc per
sonai regard for him was strong, said:
Judge, hardly think II possible mat the
senate Will recognize the acton OF Texas IA
electing you. who still ROMAN an unpardon-
ed rebel" Judge Roberta. only few days
afu1r the incident, told me that he rep.ied
as follows: Jack let me tell you some
thing-me and my sort VIII In the near
future control the destiny OF Texas"
He returned home and untii 1868 prac-
ticed his profession, sometimes defending
in the Federal court Confedcrates
(among whom was his SOM whom he
thought were being unjusuy hunted down
and imprisoned by the State police OF the
provisional government. After considering
in what more extended sphersi he could best
employ his eorts. he determined to instruct
the young men of Texas Ia his views OF
government From 1868 TO 1870 he taught
in the high school at Gilmer his views Of
the structure OF our government, and OF It's
constitutional limitations.
In 1874 after the white race had. by the
election of Governor Coke. resumed The
control OF the Suate government, Judge
Roberts was appointed chief Justice OF INC
supreme court 10 VII. cn--tilce ne was aite.-
ward elected in 1876.
ha ,,-1z nj tai
governor OF Texas. and believe the demo-
cratic party, to which he always belonged
wou a have disre Rarded precedent and nom
mated him for third term II he had es-
pressed !. willingness to serve. From 1857
TO 1892 ne was a profess OF law IN the
University OF Texas, from which position
he resigned 10 enjoy that reDose from ex-
acting labor which his age seemei 10 render
necessary,
Judge Roberts was OF dark complexion, 3
feet and II inches high. eyes black ana
penstrating. round Of limb, symmetrical III
mis- proportions. evan in advanced age, am
graceful and erect in his carriage. IhDdsn
his eyebrows remained BLACK 10 inc last
the hair OF his head ani beard bsc'Dis
y'hIite when he was 30 years orr. ms inotl'-r
thoasht that he bore u striking likeness
to her Ewing kindred. who were close
friends OF General Andrew Jackson.
On his return from college an INCIDENT
occurred which cave permission of your
honors TO relate AS | had 1t from ms ups
He rode on horseback from North Alabama
h, the Hermitage TO see q neral Jaghson
and found him walking on his lawn when
aslsei for. his name. he removed his NAT
and gaid My mother directed me 10 see
4, van would know me by the favor. IN
stantIy the old hero, recogni2ing me iihSr
ness. remarked. as he graspei ms nl.i
You are a Ewing ana mane 1Iui ~
guest. Who can measure the influences VI
that yisltY On his departure Gencrai JACK
CON a,rsseufed him with plain hickory
walking stick, now in the possession OF ms
ION. which he would never consent 10 nave
mounted and With which never knew MIN
To walk except on the day wnen " W."
first inaugurated as governor OF iexas;
strongly marked indlyiaualism hisNin-
guished him In his personal c ap sslf'
bearing ard conversation Gam sen
poised, dignihed. and yet genial ana acces,
elble TO all. he Vac fine type OF 'a ~,
Southern gentlemen OF the oi'en liine' ~
who knew him well must have oosHrYed MS
refined manners and marked decorum %heh
with ladies In their presence ne pote nm
self To the last with knignuy grace ana
direrential courtesy. IN.
Wen mdnglIng with men In the laiiy
walks Of lie such was ths unaffected pi
ness OF his language and Dearipg--so tree
was Ms from all stilted dignity--that a
stranger would hove thought ne was court
ing the multitiiie So far from this being
true no enc who knew him well ever sus-
pected that he would conceal ms senti-
inents to obtoin popular favor or iaiter
one instant In advocating whatever ms
Judgment approved. His condition ana
struggles IN early life identified his fesi-
ings and sympathies with the masses;
He vas an admirable Judge Of human
nature and detected witt strange Intuition
the motives Of those who sought to iniiu-