Twelfth Texas Legislature
Encyclopedia
The Twelfth Texas Legislature met from 8 February 1870 to 2 December 1871 in four sessions — provisional, called, regular, and adjourned.
members of the Twelfth Texas Legislature, the term is a variation of Rump legislature
. This incident is the only time in history were senators were arrested under a "call of the Senate" and were then prohibited from rejoining their fellow senators and participating in Senate votes.
There had been a rash of incidents with Indian marauders and cattle thieves. One of the responses was on May 6, 1870, Senator Theodor Rudolph Hertzberg introduced a bill to reorganize the state militia. The bill included provisions for a unique "state guard" and for martial law. David Webster Flanagan who had for years been a staunch Radical Republican opposed the bill because of its clauses allowing Governor Edmund J. Davis
to impose martial law. The cost was also the reason why some Republicans opposed the bill, but black Senator Matthew Gaines
believed that racism was the reason for opposition, since many of the "state guard" would be black. On May 17, at a Republican caucus, Senators Bolivar Jackson Pridgen and E. L. Alford announced their opposition to the bill and were thrown out of the meeting.
Governor Davis announced that he would veto any bills which came across his desk before his militia legislation. Flanagan then offered to support the state militia bill if Governor Davis supported a railroad bill, but Davis publicly refused.
On June 16, 1870, Flanagan put forward a substitute militia bill without the martial law sections, but it failed to pass. Senator Mijamin Priest then publicly supported a bill which had passed the house, which would have suspended the writ of habeas corpus. In a public debate on June 17, Priest said that Texas was in a state of war with Indians and bandits, insisting that "a desperate disease requires a desperate remedy."
On June 21, Flanagan attempted to introduce his previous defeated bill as an alternative to the house bill which suspended the writ of habeas corpus. This motion failed. Flanagan then attempted to adjourn. According to a sworn statement by Parsons, Senator Fountain moved for a vote on the bill by roll. Thirteen Senators, Marmion Henry Bowers, Flanagan, Alford, E. Thomas Broughton, Amos Clark, David W. Cole, Ebenezer Lafayette Dohoney, James Postell Douglas
, Andrew J. Evans, Henry Russell Latimer, Edward Bradford Pickett, William H. Pyle, and George R. Shannon
, withdrew from the chamber to prevent the presence of a quorum and to prevent passage of the bill, to a nearby Capitol committee room.
The Senate rule at the time, as it is today, states that the sergeant-at-arms could be sent to arrest absent senators to secure a quorum. The Senate sergeant-at-arms was sent to retrieve them with instructions to retrieve at least four senators, the number required for a quorum. Because the senators had locked the door, the sergeant-at-arms flung himself through a committee room window despite the efforts of the Senators to close the shutter on him. The sergeant-at-arms convinced the senators to return to the chamber. The Radical Republicans then had their opponents arrested. Nine were immediately arrested, but four of the Senators remained, so the Senate could form a quorum. The Rump Senate then moved forward the militia bill. The next day, one of the Senators pled illness, so one of the jailed senators was released so the militia bill could be passed.
During the confinement the Rump Senate took full advantage of their absence to pass as many of Governor Davis's bills as could be rushed through legislature. The House bill to establish a state police was passed on June 28, 1870. The Senate confirmed James Davidson
as adjunct general who later stole thirty thousand dollars of state money.
Several senators were held under arrest for three weeks while the Rump Senate passed the legislation and began hearings against the senators for not only walking out of the chamber, but for other allegations, including bribery for Senate votes. Flanagan, who was responsible for most of the incident, was too powerful a figure to be penalized. But Senator E.L. Alford of La Grange
lost his Senate seat after an investigatory committee ruled that he "did, in contempt of the Senate, violently resist said arrest, and did forcibly close the shutters, and did refuse to submit to said arrest by the Sergeant-at-arms."
As soon as he was released from jail, Alford continued to take his seat in the Senate, and even after the special election, refused to give up his seat. Reinhard Hillebrand, his elected replacement, had to wait in the wings.
(Provisional)
President pro tempore (Lieutenant Governor ex officio)
Flanagan was elected Lieutenant Governor
in 1869. He was declared “Provisional Lieutenant Governor” by Special Order No. 6, Fifth Military District, on 8 January 1870 and presided over the Provisional session of the Senate. During that session, he was elected to the U.S. Senate
and was never sworn in as Lieutenant Governor.
Petit did not attend the Provisional Session. He was sworn in on 26 February 1870 at the beginning of the Called Session. Evans refused to qualify on 8 February 1870, but did qualify and was sworn in on 10 February 1870.
District 2
: Swift elected in special election 3–6 October 1871. District 3
: Dillard elected in special election 28 November–1 December 1870. District 3
: Dillard reelected in special election 3–6 October 1871. District 26
: Hillebrand elected in special election 28 November–1 December 1870.
Rump Senate
The term Rump Senate is applied to the fifteen Radical RepublicanRadical Republican
The Radical Republicans were a loose faction of American politicians within the Republican Party from about 1854 until the end of Reconstruction in 1877...
members of the Twelfth Texas Legislature, the term is a variation of Rump legislature
Rump legislature
A Rump legislature is a legislature formed of part, usually a minority, of the legislators originally elected or appointed to office.The word "rump" normally refers to the back end of an animal; its use meaning "remnant" was first recorded in the context of the 17th century Rump Parliament in England...
. This incident is the only time in history were senators were arrested under a "call of the Senate" and were then prohibited from rejoining their fellow senators and participating in Senate votes.
There had been a rash of incidents with Indian marauders and cattle thieves. One of the responses was on May 6, 1870, Senator Theodor Rudolph Hertzberg introduced a bill to reorganize the state militia. The bill included provisions for a unique "state guard" and for martial law. David Webster Flanagan who had for years been a staunch Radical Republican opposed the bill because of its clauses allowing Governor Edmund J. Davis
Edmund J. Davis
Edmund Jackson Davis was an American lawyer, soldier, and politician. He was a Southern Unionist and served as a Union general in the American Civil War, besides serving one term as the 14th Governor of Texas.-Early years:...
to impose martial law. The cost was also the reason why some Republicans opposed the bill, but black Senator Matthew Gaines
Matthew Gaines
Matthew Gaines was a former slave, community leader, minister, and Republican Texas State Senator. He made valuable contributions towards the establishment of free public education in the state of Texas.- Former slave :...
believed that racism was the reason for opposition, since many of the "state guard" would be black. On May 17, at a Republican caucus, Senators Bolivar Jackson Pridgen and E. L. Alford announced their opposition to the bill and were thrown out of the meeting.
Governor Davis announced that he would veto any bills which came across his desk before his militia legislation. Flanagan then offered to support the state militia bill if Governor Davis supported a railroad bill, but Davis publicly refused.
On June 16, 1870, Flanagan put forward a substitute militia bill without the martial law sections, but it failed to pass. Senator Mijamin Priest then publicly supported a bill which had passed the house, which would have suspended the writ of habeas corpus. In a public debate on June 17, Priest said that Texas was in a state of war with Indians and bandits, insisting that "a desperate disease requires a desperate remedy."
On June 21, Flanagan attempted to introduce his previous defeated bill as an alternative to the house bill which suspended the writ of habeas corpus. This motion failed. Flanagan then attempted to adjourn. According to a sworn statement by Parsons, Senator Fountain moved for a vote on the bill by roll. Thirteen Senators, Marmion Henry Bowers, Flanagan, Alford, E. Thomas Broughton, Amos Clark, David W. Cole, Ebenezer Lafayette Dohoney, James Postell Douglas
James Postell Douglas
James Postell Douglas was a soldier, politician, and businessman in the state of Texas....
, Andrew J. Evans, Henry Russell Latimer, Edward Bradford Pickett, William H. Pyle, and George R. Shannon
George R. Shannon
George Ross Shannon was a member of the Texas Senate. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky, the son of George Shannon of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Shannon along with his brother, William, and sister, Sophie, settled in Johnson County in the 1850s. He became chief justice of the county and was...
, withdrew from the chamber to prevent the presence of a quorum and to prevent passage of the bill, to a nearby Capitol committee room.
The Senate rule at the time, as it is today, states that the sergeant-at-arms could be sent to arrest absent senators to secure a quorum. The Senate sergeant-at-arms was sent to retrieve them with instructions to retrieve at least four senators, the number required for a quorum. Because the senators had locked the door, the sergeant-at-arms flung himself through a committee room window despite the efforts of the Senators to close the shutter on him. The sergeant-at-arms convinced the senators to return to the chamber. The Radical Republicans then had their opponents arrested. Nine were immediately arrested, but four of the Senators remained, so the Senate could form a quorum. The Rump Senate then moved forward the militia bill. The next day, one of the Senators pled illness, so one of the jailed senators was released so the militia bill could be passed.
During the confinement the Rump Senate took full advantage of their absence to pass as many of Governor Davis's bills as could be rushed through legislature. The House bill to establish a state police was passed on June 28, 1870. The Senate confirmed James Davidson
James Davidson
James Davidson may refer to:*James Davidson , mayor of Ottawa in 1901*James Davidson , Kentucky pioneer and politician...
as adjunct general who later stole thirty thousand dollars of state money.
Several senators were held under arrest for three weeks while the Rump Senate passed the legislation and began hearings against the senators for not only walking out of the chamber, but for other allegations, including bribery for Senate votes. Flanagan, who was responsible for most of the incident, was too powerful a figure to be penalized. But Senator E.L. Alford of La Grange
La Grange, Texas
La Grange is a city in Fayette County, Texas, near the Colorado River. The population was 4,478 at the 2000 census. The 2006 estimated population was 4,645. But a 2010 census estimated that the city had a population of 4,923...
lost his Senate seat after an investigatory committee ruled that he "did, in contempt of the Senate, violently resist said arrest, and did forcibly close the shutters, and did refuse to submit to said arrest by the Sergeant-at-arms."
As soon as he was released from jail, Alford continued to take his seat in the Senate, and even after the special election, refused to give up his seat. Reinhard Hillebrand, his elected replacement, had to wait in the wings.
Sessions
- 12th Provisional session: 8–24 February 1870
- Legislative members eligible to take the qualifying oath were required to convene 8 February 1870 to ratify the FourteenthFourteenth Amendment to the United States ConstitutionThe Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted on July 9, 1868, as one of the Reconstruction Amendments.Its Citizenship Clause provides a broad definition of citizenship that overruled the Dred Scott v...
and Fifteenth AmendmentFifteenth Amendment to the United States ConstitutionThe Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits each government in the United States from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen's "race, color, or previous condition of servitude"...
s to the United States ConstitutionUnited States ConstitutionThe Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
in order for Texas to be readmitted to the UnionUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and to elect two U.S. SenatorsUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. Both houses of the legislature were required to adjourn daily until all members had qualified.- 12th Called session: 26 April–15 August 1870
- 12th Regular session: 10 January–31 May 1871
- 12th Adjourned session: 12 September–2 December 1871
Senate
Lieutenant Governor: James W. FlanaganJames W. Flanagan
James Winright Flanagan was an American merchant, lawyer, and farmer from Henderson, Texas. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1869 and 1870, and then represented Texas in the United States Senate from 1870 to 1875.-Early life:James was born to Charles and Elizabeth Flanagan in...
(Provisional)
President pro tempore (Lieutenant Governor ex officio)
- Donald Campbell, Republican, Called Session, Regular Session
- David Webster Flanagan, Republican, Adjourned Session
- Albert Jennings FountainAlbert Jennings FountainAlbert Jennings Fountain was a lawyer, Indian fighter, and Republican politician in Texas and New Mexico.-Biography:...
, Republican, Adjourned Session - David Webster Flanagan, Republican, Adjourned Session
Flanagan was elected Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Texas
The Lieutenant Governor of Texas is the second-highest executive office in the government of Texas, a state in the U.S. It is the second most powerful post in Texas government because its occupant controls the work of the Texas Senate and controls the budgeting process as a leader of the...
in 1869. He was declared “Provisional Lieutenant Governor” by Special Order No. 6, Fifth Military District, on 8 January 1870 and presided over the Provisional session of the Senate. During that session, he was elected to the U.S. Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
and was never sworn in as Lieutenant Governor.
House of Representatives
Speaker of the House- Ira Hobart EvansIra Hobart EvansIra Hobart Evans was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War and received the Medal of Honor. He was also a prominent Texas businessman and philanthropist.-Early life:...
, Republican, 1870–1871 - William Henry Sinclair, Republican, 1871–1873
Members
Members of the Twelfth Texas Legislature at the beginning of the provisional session, 8 February 1870:Senate
| District | Senator | Party | Took office |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Texas Senate, District 1 District 1 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves all of Bowie, Camp, Cass, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Panola, Red River, Rusk, Titus, Upshur and Wood counties and a portion of Smith county in the U.S. state of Texas... |
Pickett, Edward Bradford | 1870 | |
| 2 Texas Senate, District 2 District 2 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves all of Delta, Fannin, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Rains, Rockwall and Van Zandt counties, and portions of Dallas and Smith counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 2 is Robert F... |
Clark, Amos | 1870 | |
| 3 Texas Senate, District 3 District 3 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves all of Anderson, Angelina, Cherokee, Hardin, Henderson, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby and Tyler counties, and portions of Montgomery and Smith counties in the U.S. state of Texas... |
Priest, Mijamin | 1870 | |
| 4 Texas Senate, District 4 District 4 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves all of Liberty and Orange counties, and portions of Chambers, Harris, Jefferson and Montgomery counties in the southeastern portion of the state of Texas... |
Pettit, E. | 1870 | |
| 5 Texas Senate, District 5 District 5 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves Brazos, Burleson, Freestone, Grimes, Houston, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Madison, Milam, Robertson, Trinity, Walker and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas... |
Flanagan, David Webster | Republican | 1870 |
| 6 Texas Senate, District 6 District 6 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves a portion of Harris county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 6 is Mario Gallegos, Jr. who has served since 1995.-2004:-2002:-1998:... |
Douglas, James Postell James Postell Douglas James Postell Douglas was a soldier, politician, and businessman in the state of Texas.... |
1870 | |
| 7 Texas Senate, District 7 District 7 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves a portion of Harris county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 7 is Dan Patrick.-2006:-2002:-2000:-1996:-1994:... |
Rawson, Henry | 1870 | |
| 8 Texas Senate, District 8 District 8 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves portions of Collin and Dallas counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 8 is Florence Shapiro.-2006:-2002:-2000:-1996:... |
Campbell, Donald | Republican | 1870 |
| 9 Texas Senate, District 9 District 9 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves portions of Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 9 is Chris Harris.-2004:-2002:-2000:... |
Latimer, Henry Russell | 1870 | |
| 10 Texas Senate, District 10 District 10 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves a portion of Tarrant county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 10 is Wendy Davis.-2008:-2004:-2002:-2000:... |
Cole, David W. | 1870 | |
| 11 Texas Senate, District 11 District 11 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves portions of Brazoria, Galveston and Harris counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 11 is Mike Jackson.-2004:-2002:-1998:... |
Dohoney, Ebenezer Lafayette | 1870 | |
| 12 Texas Senate, District 12 District 12 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves portions of Denton and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 12 is Jane Nelson.-2006:-2002:-2000:-1996:... |
Ruby, George Thompson | Republican | 1870 |
| 13 Texas Senate, District 13 District 13 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves portions of Fort Bend and Harris counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 13 is Rodney Ellis.-2006:-2002:-1998:-1994:... |
Bell, John G. | Republican | 1870 |
| 14 Texas Senate, District 14 District 14 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves a portion of Travis county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 14 is Kirk Watson.-2006:-2002:-2000:-1996:-1994:... |
Parsons, William Henry William Henry Parsons William Henry Parsons headed the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice from 1930 until his death. Previously he had served as the society's treasurer, from 1912-1930. Born in New York City he attended the Park Institute at Rye and then Yale University, graduating in 1882... |
1870 | |
| 15 Texas Senate, District 15 District 15 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves a portion of Harris county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 15 is John Whitmire.-2006:-2002:-2000:-1996:... |
Mills, John S. John S. Mills John S. Mills was a Major General in the United States Air Force.-Biography:Mills was born in Appleton, Wisconsin in 1906 and attended Lawrence College. He died on July 4, 1996.-Career:... |
1870 | |
| 16 Texas Senate, District 16 District 16 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves a portion of Dallas county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 16 is John J. Carona.-2008:-2004:-2004:-2002:-1998:... |
Gaines, Matthew Matthew Gaines Matthew Gaines was a former slave, community leader, minister, and Republican Texas State Senator. He made valuable contributions towards the establishment of free public education in the state of Texas.- Former slave :... |
1870 | |
| 17 Texas Senate, District 17 District 17 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves portions of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. Senator Kyle Janek announced his resignation on May 29, 2008. Governor Rick Perry called for a special... |
Saylor, William A. | 1870 | |
| 18 Texas Senate, District 18 District 18 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves all of Aransas, Austin, Bastrop, Caldwell, Calhoun, Colorado, DeWitt, Fayette, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Lavaca, Matagorda, Refugio, Victoria, Waller, Washington and Wharton counties and a western portion of Fort Bend... |
Hall, Phidello W. | 1870 | |
| 19 Texas Senate, District 19 District 19 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves all of Bandera, Brewster, Crockett, Culberson, Edwards, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kinney, Loving, Maverick, Medina, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Reeves, Sutton, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Ward and Winkler counties, and portions... |
Evans, Andrew J. | 1870 | |
| 20 Texas Senate, District 20 District 20 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves all of Brooks, Jim Wells and Nueces counties and a portion of Hidalgo county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 20 is Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa.-2004:... |
Pyle, William H. | 1870 | |
| 21 Texas Senate, District 21 District 21 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves all of Atascosa, Bee, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Jim Hogg, Karnes, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, San Patricio, Starr, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, and Zavala counties and a portion of Bexar county in the U.S. state of Texas... |
Samuel Evans | 1870 | |
| 22 Texas Senate, District 22 District 22 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves Bosque, Coryell, Ellis, Falls, Hill, Hood, Johnson, McLennan, Navarro and Somervell counties in the U.S. state of Texas... |
Broughton, E. Thomas | 1870 | |
| 23 Texas Senate, District 23 District 23 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves a portion of Dallas county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 23 is Royce West.-2004:-2002:-1998:-1994:-1992:... |
Shannon, George R. George R. Shannon George Ross Shannon was a member of the Texas Senate. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky, the son of George Shannon of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Shannon along with his brother, William, and sister, Sophie, settled in Johnson County in the 1850s. He became chief justice of the county and was... |
1870 | |
| 24 Texas Senate, District 24 District 24 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves Bell, Blanco, Brown, Burnet, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Erath, Gillespie, Hamilton, Kerr, Kimble, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Mills, San Saba and Taylor counties in the U.S. state of Texas... |
Pridgen, Bolivar Jackson | Republican | 1870 |
| 25 Texas Senate, District 25 District 25 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves all of Comal, Guadalupe, Hays and Kendall counties, and portions of Bexar and Travis counties in the U.S. state of Texas... |
Foster, Abner K. | 1870 | |
| 26 Texas Senate, District 26 District 26 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves a portion of Bexar county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 26 is Leticia R. Van de Putte.-2004:-2002:-2000:... |
Alford, E. L. | 1870 | |
| 27 Texas Senate, District 27 District 27 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves all of Cameron, Kenedy, Kleberg and Willacy counties and a portion of Hidalgo county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 27 is Eddie Lucio, Jr..... |
Baker, Thomas H. | 1870 | |
| 28 Texas Senate, District 28 District 28 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves Armstrong, Borden, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Coke, Collingsworth, Concho, Cottle, Crosby, Dawson, Dickens, Donley, Fisher, Floyd, Foard, Garza, Gray, Hale, Hall, Hardeman, Haskell, Hockley, Irion, Jones, Kent,... |
Bowers, Marmion Henry | 1870 | |
| 29 Texas Senate, District 29 District 29 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves a portion of El Paso county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 29 is Eliot Shapleigh.-2006:-2002:-2000:-1996:... |
Hertzberg, Theodor Rudolph | 1870 | |
| 30 Texas Senate, District 30 District 30 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves all of Archer, Baylor, Clay, Cooke, Grayson, Jack, Montague, Palo Pinto, Parker, Shackelford, Stephens, Throckmorton, Wichita, Wilbarger, Wise and Young counties, and portions of Collin and Denton counties in the U.S.... |
Fountain, Albert Jennings Albert Jennings Fountain Albert Jennings Fountain was a lawyer, Indian fighter, and Republican politician in Texas and New Mexico.-Biography:... |
Republican | 1870 |
Petit did not attend the Provisional Session. He was sworn in on 26 February 1870 at the beginning of the Called Session. Evans refused to qualify on 8 February 1870, but did qualify and was sworn in on 10 February 1870.
House of Representatives
- Richard Allen
- James Buckner Barry
- D. W. Burley
- James Reid Cole
- Giles Cotton
- J. Goldsteen Dupree
- Ira Hobart EvansIra Hobart EvansIra Hobart Evans was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War and received the Medal of Honor. He was also a prominent Texas businessman and philanthropist.-Early life:...
- Jeremiah Hamilton
- Gustav Hoffmann
- Orlando Newton Hollingsworth
- Mitchell Kendall
- Fergus Kyle
- David Medlock
- John Mitchell
- Henry Moore
- Shepherd Mullens
- Henry Phelps
- Julius Schuetze
- William Sheriff Thirteenth District
- William Henry Sinclair
- Richard Williams
- Benjamin Franklin Williams
- Francis Gray Franks, District 13 Wharton
Membership changes
| District | Outgoing Senator |
Reason for Vacancy | Successor | Date of Successor's Installation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District 2 Texas Senate, District 2 District 2 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves all of Delta, Fannin, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Rains, Rockwall and Van Zandt counties, and portions of Dallas and Smith counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 2 is Robert F... |
Amos Clark | Clark died 18 February 1871 | William H. Swift | after 6 October 1871 |
| District 3 Texas Senate, District 3 District 3 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves all of Anderson, Angelina, Cherokee, Hardin, Henderson, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby and Tyler counties, and portions of Montgomery and Smith counties in the U.S. state of Texas... |
Mijamin Priest | Priest resigned 15 August 1870 | James Elizer Dillard | 10 January 1871 |
| District 3 Texas Senate, District 3 District 3 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves all of Anderson, Angelina, Cherokee, Hardin, Henderson, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby and Tyler counties, and portions of Montgomery and Smith counties in the U.S. state of Texas... |
James Elizer Dillard | Dillard declared ineligible 10 April 1871 | James Elizer Dillard | 31 October 1871 |
| District 14 Texas Senate, District 14 District 14 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves a portion of Travis county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 14 is Kirk Watson.-2006:-2002:-2000:-1996:-1994:... |
William Henry Parsons William Henry Parsons William Henry Parsons headed the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice from 1930 until his death. Previously he had served as the society's treasurer, from 1912-1930. Born in New York City he attended the Park Institute at Rye and then Yale University, graduating in 1882... |
Parsons resigned 4 December 1871. | Vacant | |
| District 19 Texas Senate, District 19 District 19 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves all of Bandera, Brewster, Crockett, Culberson, Edwards, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kinney, Loving, Maverick, Medina, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Reeves, Sutton, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Ward and Winkler counties, and portions... |
Andrew J. Evans | Evans unseated in election contest 18 February 1870. | S. W. Ford | 18 February 1870 |
| District 25 Texas Senate, District 25 District 25 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves all of Comal, Guadalupe, Hays and Kendall counties, and portions of Bexar and Travis counties in the U.S. state of Texas... |
Abner K. Foster | Foster died 9 March 1870. | Robert P. Tendick | 10 January 1871 |
| District 26 Texas Senate, District 26 District 26 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves a portion of Bexar county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 26 is Leticia R. Van de Putte.-2004:-2002:-2000:... |
E. L. Alford | Alford was expelled for resisting arrest during the call of the session. | Reinhard Hillebrand | 17 February 1871 |
| District 29 Texas Senate, District 29 District 29 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves a portion of El Paso county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 29 is Eliot Shapleigh.-2006:-2002:-2000:-1996:... |
Theodor Rudolph Hertzberg | Hertzberg resigned 2 December 1871. | Vacant | |
District 2
Texas Senate, District 2
District 2 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves all of Delta, Fannin, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Rains, Rockwall and Van Zandt counties, and portions of Dallas and Smith counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 2 is Robert F...
: Swift elected in special election 3–6 October 1871. District 3
Texas Senate, District 3
District 3 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves all of Anderson, Angelina, Cherokee, Hardin, Henderson, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby and Tyler counties, and portions of Montgomery and Smith counties in the U.S. state of Texas...
: Dillard elected in special election 28 November–1 December 1870. District 3
Texas Senate, District 3
District 3 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves all of Anderson, Angelina, Cherokee, Hardin, Henderson, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby and Tyler counties, and portions of Montgomery and Smith counties in the U.S. state of Texas...
: Dillard reelected in special election 3–6 October 1871. District 26
Texas Senate, District 26
District 26 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves a portion of Bexar county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 26 is Leticia R. Van de Putte.-2004:-2002:-2000:...
: Hillebrand elected in special election 28 November–1 December 1870.