AND STATE PAPERS OF JAMES STEPHEN HOGG EX-GOVERNOR OF TEXAS WITH A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE EDITED BY C. W. RAINES FELLOW OF the texas HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION, MEMBER OF THE SOUTHERN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION AUSTIN, TEXAS THE STATE PRINTING COMPANY 1905 PREFACE. It goes without saying that James Stephen Hogg is the most unique personality that ever figured in Texas politics. During a public career of thirty years he has always stood for the enforcement of the law against all wrong doers, and been the champion of popular rights against the encroachments of whoever assailed them, whether corporations, representing plutocracy, or designing individuals, acting upon their own initiative; not because he is an enemy to rich men per se, or to corporations per se, but because he is hostile to their encroachments on the rights of the people. He is an enemy to law-breakers, but a friend to the lawabiding. The court records show him to be a great lawyer, and they also show that he never represented corporations against the State. His speeches and State papers evidence that he is a great practical statesman, who has ever been animated by a lofty desire to promote the general good, and whose efforts have found fruition in wise laws that must ever remain monuments to and honorably perpetuate his fame. It takes courage and honesty to brave the opposition of corporations when they are seeking to override the laws. He has never failed to evince both those qualities in an eminent degree whenever occasion required. He has well-defined convictions on all public questions, and has the courage to express them. There is nothing of the demagogue in him. He has never trimmed his sails to catch the passing breeze, or descended to fawning or double dealing to win popular favor. He has a striking individuality. He is undoubtedly eloquent. He has strong personal magnetism. His very appearance on the platform frequently electrifies the whole audience with enthusiasm 170135 and the battle is half won before a word is spoken. As a stump speaker he, perhaps, has no equal in the State. But more than all this, Hogg has achieved tangible results from his labors. That is, his great reform measures are written indelibly on our statute books. The people appreciate these beneficent measures. That serves to explain why citizen Hogg is today the most powerful political factor in Texas. C. W. RAINES. |