The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 45, July 1941 - April, 1942 Page: 31

The Life of Colonel R. T. Milner

esteem and gratitude for your every kindness and courtesy
to us." The students of A. & M. College, a little late, perhaps,
sent him a "beautiful gavel, made at that institution out of
Texas wood."134
The House then stood adjourned "without day," and on
April 15 Colonel Milner left Austin for Henderson and private
life. An extra session, called by Governor Hogg, brought him
back to the capitol, in company with the rest of the legislators.
The Governor's reasons for the called session included these:
1. To reapportion the congressional and judicial
districts of the state and to provide for the election
of the officers therein.
2. To pass all laws necessary to put into force
amendments to the State Constitution that had been
adopted by the people at the election held therefor
on the second Tuesday of August, 1891.
3. To provide for the protection of the public and
investors against fraudulent and fictitious issuance of
railway bonds and stocks.
4. To re-enact the law defining and punishing trusts
and conspiracies against trade.
5. To elect a United States senator."35
The House convened on March 14, and efficiently administered
to the majority of the needs cited in the governor's message.
The state districts were reapportioned. The alien land law was
reworded so that it was technically correct and would stand
in court. Roger Q. Mills (whom Colonel Milner helped to get
the office) was selected to succeed Senator John H. Reagan who
had resigned in order to accept Governor Hogg's proffer of the
chairmanship of the newly-created Railroad Commission of
Texas. On April 14, its duties having been fulfilled, the extra
session of the legislature was declared adjourned.
Although Milner had been urged to run in 1890 for the lieu-
tenant-governorship, he deemed it best, for reasons not stated,
to return to the legislature rather than make the race. He had
been mentioned as early as 1889 by the Mineral Wells Herald
for the honor. The Hillsboro Reflector recorded the nomina-
'34Sometime during this distribution of gifts, the Speaker's wife was
presented with a massive silver tea service by the gentlemen of the House.
This they told her they did because he had got everything already.-Mrs.
R. T. Milner, interview, March 7, 1939.
135House Journal, Twenty-second Legislature, Extra Session, 1-2.

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