present time, all other States in the Union, Europe, and Asia have poured into our boundaries a constant stream of humanity.

In 1871, there were only five hundred and eleven miles of railway, while at the close of 1872 there were one thousand and seventy-eight miles in actual operation.

Exciting Election Scenes.-As early as 1872, the Democrats had a majority in both branches of the Legislature, and had elected all Congressmen. In December, 1873, State officers were to be elected. The Democrats nominated Richard Coke and R. H. Hubbard for Governor and Lieutenant-governor. Governor Davis was a candidate for re-election. The campaign was intensely exciting; the result showed a majority of at least forty thousand for Coke and Hubbard. A question as to whether or not the election law was constitutional was raised by the opposing party. The matter was referred to the Supreme Court, which body decided the law to be unconstitutional. The Governor immediately issued a proclamation, forbidding the convening of the fourteenth Legislature, and denying that it had legal existence; the thirteenth Legislature was reconvened. The newlyelected legislators paid no attention to this proclamation; they hastened to Austin, took possession of the upper story of the Capitol, organized, and went to work. Governor Davis refused to recognize them, or hold any communication with them. The night of January 13, 1874, will long be remembered. The ground-floor of the Capitol was occupied by Davis, his officers, and a com

pany of negro soldiers; above, were the Legislature, their sergeants-at-arms, and guards. Late that night, the election returns were counted, and the Legislature solemnly declared Richard Coke to be Governor of Texas. The gravest fears were entertained, lest the night might close with bloodshed, but such was not the case. Davis was at last forced to yield.

COKE'S

ADMINISTRATION.*

(1874-1876.)

Fears of Interference.-Though Coke and Hubbard were installed in office, yet the State was by no means at ease. It was feared that the United States would interfere, as Davis had appealed to President Grant for aid. The President wisely answered that Texas was now a State of the Union, and must manage her own internal affairs. This settled the matter. Davis, seeing there was no possible chance for him to regain his power, retired from the field.

Difficulties.-Difficulties beset the new administration on every hand. As we have seen, at the close of the

*Richard Coke was born at Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1829. At the age of nineteen, he graduated with honor from William and Mary College; a year later, he was admitted to the bar. Moving to Texas in 1850, he located at Waco, where he still lives. He soon became prominent in his profession. He entered the Southern army as a private, served four years, and came out a captain. In 1865, he was made District Judge; in 1866, he became Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, but was soon removed, as an impediment to reconstruction. His career, as Governor, was such as to win the admiration and respect of all. In 1876 and 1882, he was elected United States Senator. He is regarded as one of the leading members of the Senate,

war, Texas had no debt worthy of mention; in 1874, she owed three and a half millions, besides various undeMany of the taxes had been left for

termined claims. years uncollected. par, while her warrants were sold at a heavy discount. Governor's Course.-Governor Coke employed the same keen business talent in State affairs that he had used so successfully in private life. The laws for collecting taxes were strengthened. An agent was sent East to sell State bonds. In every department of the government true economy was practiced; there was no "penny-wise-and-poundfoolish" policy, but wherever expenses could be reduced, without injury to the interest of the State, it was done.

The credit of the State was below

Constitutional Convention.-The Constitution adopted in 1869 was unpopular among the people. The State officers and legislators found it impossible to remedy many of the evils then existing, so long as the Constitution was in force. On September 6, 1875, a Constitutional Convention met at Austin. After two and a half months of hard work, they presented to the State the Constitution we now have. The Constitution was ratified by the people, the majority being nearly a hundred thousand, while, at the same time, Coke and Hubbard were re-elected by over a hundred thousand votes.*

Agricultural and Mechanical College.-Texas received

* Texas seemed, at this election, to have brought her best men front in all ranks. The fifteenth Legislature, that was selected at this time, is known as one of the most energetic bodies that ever occupied the legislative halls of the Capitol. Much of their success was due to the zeal, talents, and industry of the Speaker of the House, Colonel T. R. Bonner.

from the United States land scrip for one hundred and eighty thousand acres, for the founding of an Agricultural and Mechanical College. This scrip, when sold, brought $156,600. In 1871, it was decided to locate the college at College Station, four miles from Bryan. Handsome brick buildings were erected. On October 4, 1876, the

school opened, with an able faculty.

Coke Resigns.-In May, 1876, Governor Coke was elected to the United States Senate.

As he was not to

take his seat in the Senate until March, 1877, at Lieutenant-governor Hubbard's earnest request, he did not resign the governorship until December, 1876.

HUBBARD'S ADMINISTRATION.*

(December, 1876-1879.)

Penitentiaries -The penitentiary question had proved so annoying to several Governors, that each new officer

* Richard B. Hubbard, a native of Georgia, was born in 1832. Graduating at eighteen from Mercer University, he then took the law course at the University of Virginia and at Harvard. In 1853, he came to Texas, and settled in Tyler. He soon became a leading figure in political circles, his burning eloquence winning for him the title of the " Young Demosthenes." In 1856, he was a member of the National Democratic Convention. Soon after, he was made United States Attorney for Western Texas, an office he resigned to enter the Legislature. During the war, he distinguished himself as a Colonel of Confederate Infantry. After the war, he retired to his farm. On his return to public life, he held various offices of trust. In 1873, he was nominated by acclamation for Lieutenant-governor. When Governor Coke resigned, his place was taken by Governor Hubbard. In 1880, ex-Governor Hubbard distinguished himself in the National Democratic Convention, by securing the nomination of Hancock. In 1884, his services were in constant demand as a campaign speaker. In 1885, he was appointed by President Cleveland as Minister Plenipotentiary to Japan. In his new field he shows the same rare talents and strong personal magnetism that won him such popularity in Texas.