Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-05-17
TEXAS DAILY PRESS LEAGUE


Above the dome Of the capitol OF Texas the flag
OF a commonwealth half tells Of the passing
OF a remarkable son OF the southland who was an in
vincible in war time and a rugged and fearless servant
OF the people in peace time.
Joseph ID. Sayers has gone to his reward. Many
mile posts were his. Many golden memories were his.
Many friendships in high and humble life were his.
He had been a maker OF history for decades. He had
been in public life for more than q half century.
He had been a gallant soldier In the long ago. He
had worn the gray and followed the flag Of the plant
ers republic until that flag had persisted In the smoke
Of battle. He was born in Mississippi in 1871. He
was 10 when his father moved to Texas and became a
resident Of Bastrop county.
He was IS when the tocsin OF civil war sounded.
lie was one Of the first 70 volunteer in defense Of the
Bonnie Blue flag. He bore the scars Of honorable
conflict. won on the battle field. lie fought from the
beginning until the close Of internecne strife.
Then he laid aside the sword and began to battle
for the rehabilitation Of a land made desolate by the
fortunes of war. He became a lawyer. lie was called
to local office. He was elected to the state senate.
lie was one Of the gallant men who drove from
capitol hin carpet bagsers and renegades and their
black cohorts He was one Of the dauntless sons Of
the southland who restored a white mans government
to the sorely tried people Of the Lone Star common
wealth.
He was a lieutenant governor OF Texas when the
gray haired men and women OF the Texas OF today
were boys and girls.
He was elected to the American congress before Gro
yer Cleveland had been elected president Of the Unit
ed States. He became one OF the leaders Of his party
under the big dome on the banks OF the Potomac.
He was one Of those who declared that the sons OF
the southland who had lost when they appealed 10
the sword had returned again to the house Of the
fathers. He had been a follower Of Samuel J. Tilden,
who was elected and then counted out.
He had been q follower Of Grover Cleveland and
saw that great democrat elected president and count
ed tn. He was the close friend and confidential ad-
visor Of the Grover Cleveland.
He became national known as the Watchdog OF
the National Treasury" He saw Cleveland
defeated by Benjamin Harrison and four
years later the return Of Cleveland to the high office
OF president and the retirement Of Harrison to the
shades Of private life.
He saw a democratic secretary Of the navy name
q mighty b~attleship Texas in honor Of his adopted
state and a republican secretary or war confer the
name Of Sam Houston on perhaps the greatest mill
tary post under American skies.
For years. in congressional life. he associated with
the mighty Of al political parties, the giants who trod
the stage Of action in memorable years Of the his
tory or this republic and who now sleep the sleep that
zones to all men born Of women.
Then he was called to the office OF governor OF the
state he loved 50 well and a people whom ne had
served so Loyalty as a national lawmaker. He was
governor Of Texas four years. There were no scandals
attached 70 his administration. He believed that no
servant Of the people could serve two masters.
He believed with the great president whom ne had
served faithfully at all times that "a public office il
q public trust" He believed that a people the least
governed are the best governed.
He believed that crime should be eradicated and
that the transgressor should pay the penalty. He be-
Iieved in economy IN government. simplicity in gov
eminent and the rule Of the many and not OF the few.
After his retirement from the highest office In the
Gift or the people Of Texas he filled many places OF
honor and emolument. He never feathered his own
nest. The lure OF gold never dazzled the eye OF this
public servant.
He had been In harness for many many years. He
~as one of the old school. He believed in efficient
service as well as honest service. He was as true to
his clients as he was to the people who had called him
to high place.
He was frugal he was fearless. he was Just and he
vas honest. Intellectually honSt as well as having
that INTEGRITY Of purpose which bars those who have
n f~cm the accumulation Of wealth gained by methods
v~'-n are dishonest but within the law.
He was IN harness at 10 as q soldier. 20 continued
IN harness ell the days Of his remarkable career, he
died In harness as a servant OF the people Of Texas
and when death called him it called an ~flustrious
representative az that rugged and indomitable race or
men who knew Texas as a wilderness and made II the
empire state of the American republic founded by
washington.