Texas Almanac, 1994-1995 Page: 70
672 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
70 Texas Almanac 1994-1995
among the populace over the power and policies
of monopolistic businesses.
Republicans maintained high tariffs to pro-
tect U.S. manufacturers, but in the process, kept
prices high for American consumers. The tariffs
also brought in embarrassing amounts of money
that ran the budget into a surplus. Democrats
called for lower tariffs to benefit the lower
classes.
Throughout the period, the Republican Party
prevailed in the Senate for all but four years, and
the House often was organized by the GOP. While
Democrats were almost unchallenged in Texas,
their representatives in Washington often were
frustrated by their political impotency.
While the U.S. Senate was the preeminent
house in Congress. it also became a haven for
special interest groups. Senators often were
labeled "railroad senators" or "banking senators."
Never having to stand up to public vote, the sen-
ators were often insulated from the passions of
the people. The antipathy only enraged frus-
trated voters.
In the House, John H. Reagan of Palestine
was an early leader in the battle for railroad reg-
ulation. Ironically. one early criticism of him was
his relation with railroad people whom he enticed
to bring two lines to his hometown. But in 1881,
he introduced the first bill to regulate railroads
on the federal level. For six long, frustrating
years. Reagan, chairman of the Committee on
Commerce when the Democrats controlled the
House. battled for passage of his bill. Finally, it
cleared both houses and in February 1887 estab-
lished the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Sen. Maxey had been tied to special interests.
In 1886, a monumental battle was fought in the
Texas Legislature for the seat Maxey held.
Reagan was popular across the state for his per-
sistent battle against the railroad interests. And
former governor John Ireland and State Sen.
A.W. Terrell also sought the office. Maxey. after
two six-year terms, was defeated by Reagan in
the race conducted before the legislature.
Coke was a popular governor who overturned
the Reconstruction constitution of the state. Ten
days after taking office for his second term as
governor, he was selected for a senate position.
Nevertheless, he stayed in office until December.
When Coke resigned. Lt. Gov. Richard Hubbard
took office. Hubbard's first act was to certify
Coke's election. He was sworn into office the fol-
lowing March.
Coke was a free silver man, opposed high tar-
iffs, and supported regulation for railroads.
While in Washington, he chaired committees on
Indian Affairs, Revolutionary Claims and Fisher-
ies. Twice the popular former governor was reap-
pointed to the Senate without opposition in the
Texas Legislature.Texans Serving in House and Senate
House Senate Total
Member Enter Years Enter Years Years
Morris Sheppard 1902 10.2 1913 28.86 39.06
Tom Connally 1917 11.9 1929 24.44 36.34
Lloyd Bentsen 1948 6.2 1971 21.91 28.11
RogerQ. Mills 1873 19.1 1892 7.10 26.20
Lyndon B. Johnson 1937 11.6 1949 12.35 23.95
Joseph W. Bailey 1901 9.2 1901 11.85 21.06
John H. Reagan 1857 3.2 1887 4.30 19.60
"1875 12.0
Phil Gramm 1979 3.9 1985 7.53 11.43
Early in his term, Reagan was uncomfortable
in the Senate. He had left a prestigious role as
committee chairman in the House to become a
freshman senator with little authority. Republi-
cans held overwhelming control of the Senate,
and Democrats often were on the outside looking
in. While supporting reform measures such as
the Sherman Antitrust Act, Reagan directed his
energies to his role on the Committee on Arid
Lands and Reclamation.
In Texas in 1891. Gov. Jim Hogg had wrestled
legislation creating a railroad commission
through the legislature. But he needed a presti-
gious chairman to bring instant credibility to the
fledgling institution. What better man than Sen.
Reagan, whose six-year struggle for rail regula-
tion in Washington made him an authority on
railroad regulation.
To fill Reagan's remaining term in the Rusk
succession, Gov. Hogg appointed his boyhood
friend, Horace Chilton of Tyler. Almost immedi-
ately, critics were abuzz at the selection. Many
argued that U.S. Rep. Roger Q. Mills of Corsi-
cana, was far better qualified for the position.
The House majority leader and chairman of the
Interstate and Foreign Commerce and the Ways
and Means committees had a wide edge in con-
gressional experience.
Chilton, the first native Texan to represent
the state in Congress, did not seek re-election
the following year, and Roger Q. Mills. a former
majority leader in the House, won the vote of the
legislature. Mills, who carved a solid record of
opposition to high tariffs in the House, pursued
the same goal in the Senate. In 1898, Mills
sought reappointment by the legislature, but
dropped out of the race when he saw he could
not defeat Texas Atty. Gen. Charles A. Culberson
of Dallas. Mills holds the distinction of having
Roger Mills County in Oklahoma named in his
honor.
Chilton re-emerged as a candidate for Sen.
Coke's seat when he retired from the Senate in
1895 and won the appointment by the legisla-
ture. He had initiated a plan to select senatorial
candidates by the primary system, a plan that
was adopted early in the 20th century. Among
his accomplishments was service as a floor man-
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Kingston, Mike. Texas Almanac, 1994-1995, book, 1993; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth162513/m1/70/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.