The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 31, July 1927 - April, 1928 Page: 196
This periodical is part of the collection entitled: Southwestern Historical Quarterly and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Texas State Historical Association.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Southwestern Historical Quarterly
District Attorney in Tennessee.21 Thomas J. Rusk, a Georgia
lawyer who had lost his money in a speculative enterprise and
had come to Texas to recoup his fortune, had not had as much
experience in public affairs as a number of other men in the
group, but he was evidently recognized as a man of superior abil-
ity and the record indicates that he took a keen interest in every
issue that was raised.22 As the chairman of the select commit-
tee to correct errors and phraseology in the final draft of the
constitution he may be regarded as being more responsible than
any other man for the final wording of that instrument.23 By
way of apology for Rusk, it may be stated that the constitution
was amended a number of times after this final draft was pre-
sented. The notable service Rusk later rendered as Chief Jus-
tice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Texas and still
later as United States Senator from Texas is evidence of his ex-
traordinary ability, and explains the influence he wielded over
the members.
George C. Childress is best known as the chairman of the com-
mittee on a Declaration of Independence and as the probable
author of that instrument. He was not a member of the com-
mittee for framing a constitution; but he participated in many
discussions pertaining to it, and should be mentioned among the
men who appear to have had most to do in the final determina-
tion of questions that arose.
Three Spanish-Americans sat in the body and helped give it
some appearance of being more than a mere assembly of dis-
gruntled Anglo-Americans. They were Jose Antonio Navarro,
Francisco Ruis, and Lorenzo de Zavala. Of these the last named
"2Davenport, J. H., The llistory of the Supreme Court of Texas (Aus-
tin, 1917), 4, 9. Collinsworth was the first Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court of Texas.
"Ibid., 14-15.
"3"Journals of the Convention," Gammel, I, 894. Messrs. Gazley, Ham-
ilton, Gaines and Everett were on this committee with Rusk. Gazley
and Everett were both physicians. James Gaines certainly was not
suited for this work and there is nothing to indicate that Hamilton or
the two doctors had any special qualifications. One is inclined to con-
clude that Ellis thought the work was a one-man task and for that rea-
son placed men on the committee who would not interfere with Rusk.
Dixon, The Men Who Made Texas Free, pages 95, 240, 295, 301, gives
something of the lives of these men. It appears that he obtained his in-
formation principally from one of Gazley's granddaughters and from
Chas. B. Stewart, a member of the convention.196
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue 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 Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 31, July 1927 - April, 1928, periodical, 1928; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101088/m1/214/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.