The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-12-19
RETIREMENT OF REAGAN.
A TRIBUTE TO THE GRAND OLD MAN
OF TEXAS.
And His Answer Thereto, Telling What
He Has Seen the Great Common
wealth Accomplish.

Austin, Texas. December 1.-THE fol.
lowing complimentary notice on the re.
trcnent of Judge John II Reagan from
public life appeared in last weeks issue
OF the Comanche Chief
JOHN II. REAGAN RETIRES.
This venerable statesman has announced
through the papers that he viii no longer
no curdldnte for office before the people
OF Texas, and that after the expiration of
his present term rs railroad commissioner
he VIII retire to the privacy of mis- home
at Palestine Judge Reagan has been the
most useful citizen the state has had since
the days of Sam Houston. in the op'nioa
OF the Chief and il we should he askei
TO carve from her long list of worthless her
two greatest celebrities we would ulhe3-
iiatnely choose Houstou and Reagan For
almost sixty years the latter has held PM
lie position at the hands Of his consuiu.
cuts and never once has the breath Of
Culumny dnmcd his great record or cast
a cloud over his Stainless character.
thousand oppuit unities nave been ouere
him, as they are offered every pubNc man,
70 barter his convictions for dollars, but
he has glorousy resisted then, all and
the accommodations of long lifetime are
represented by ap hhpretcntous home
among The rcd hills OF Anderson. As can
bC said of all the pioneer patriots, along
With his sterling honesty, he carried
magnificent physique, and IN this respect
differing from most oe those early states
men, he never became addicted to drink
or dissipation. Sturdy In body and mind.
he has been able TO giyo to his state longer
service than any man has given his state
in tho history Of the whole United states
not even excepting that great trio OF statns.
men, Cay, Calhoun and Webster, and no"
az the age Of 81 he rctlres with the paudit
OF his people, 'wel done. good and faithful
servant ringing In his cars. And 1t mast
bc the sweetest music 10 the yenec2hle
scul. the sweetest OF consultations to his
heart. that he has served his people so well
and that they appreciate it SO thoroughly.
NTH duty lifted from. his, stooping
shoulders and the stiinulons OF ambition
taken fron his life. 1t can not be morr
than fey days to the dark shadows OF
the valley aud when he teaches the border
line and steps across into the imperceptin!e
frontier. Texas will lose her most dls
tinguiShed citizen since the turbulent h arr
OF Houston ceased % beat. The people OF
this state should minister TO the comfort
OF his declining days, for his eye is dim
and his ears are stopped and the form once
so manly is stepped, and the mind once
50 brilliant is fading, bnt the honesty once
so genuine and ringing Is ultlrrishcd stlll,
and his memory VIII remain like a fragrant
Incense with the people Of Texas TO the
end OF time. Al honor to the record and
| life OF John II. Reagan.
Judge Reagan today sent the following
reply to the editor;
S J, Thomas, Esq, Editor Chief, Co
manche, Texas.
Austin. Texas, December 17.-Dear Sir
Your very kind letter OF the 18th instant
Is before me, with which YOU inclosed q
copy Of your editorial speaking In terms OF
! respect and communication OF me, for which
! ! very sincerely thank you.
After spending most of the last sixty
| two wears Of my life In the public service.
| the greater part Of the time In highly ro-
! pCnsible position, now when am soon
| to retire from the pubtd service II Is most
| gratifying to me TO receive such evidences
| of public approval Of my life's work as the
! editorial YOU kindly sent me, And | have
received number Of others of like tenor.
| IL has so happened that in a long life |
! nave pnSSed through many vicisstudes and
! have been in one way or another particl-
| pant ia many historic events In the Re
public Of Texas In The Confederate States
| and In the United States
| | have lived through and witnessed the
! growth OF Texas from the early part of
ls4o, with then not exceeding 100000 white
! population, constantly menaced by MeNi-
! cans and Indians, to her present condition
or peace and prosperity, with more than
| Spn,W0 population, the largest cotton
/ growing and livestock state In the Union,
/ with more than 10000 miles Of railroad 20
/ accommodate her travel and growing agri-
| culture and commerce. And while We have
! passed through storms and trials which
/ tested the capacity and the courage Of our
| people, Il is pleasant now TO look back
| over this great historic field
II has been my lot under a kind Provi-
| dence, to he blessed with q long life, Gov
! erlng an era remarkable for wonderful ad,
Nnncemeuts In the arts and sciences, and
| especially In mechanical and economic in
| Ncntions, which II Is pleasure now TO
contemplate IN my declining years.
Whether ! am worthy OF the commenda-
! lions and good will / am receiving from
| so many OF late or not, Il Is most gratifying
| TO me Aud now II II were In my power
! 10 exchange this good will and manifesto
| tion Of respect aud confidence for all the
! possessions of the wealthlest millionaire !
| would not do Il.
have much reason 70 thank God for my
! good health and that ! have a comfortable
home Of which. among my friends and
neighbors, can spend the short time which
now remains 70 me IL the quietnde Of pri-
waite life and In greater preparation for the
world 10 come than have doEe IN the busy
struggles Of public life
shall retire 10 private life with heart
full o. gratitude for the many honors con
ferred on my by my ceuptrymen. Very
! respectfully, Jphn H. Reagan.