Rienzi Melville Johnston | |
|---|---|
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| United States Senator fromTexas | |
| In office January 4, 1913 – January 29, 1913 | |
| Appointed by | Oscar Branch Colquitt |
| Preceded by | Joseph W. Bailey |
| Succeeded by | Morris Sheppard |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1849-09-09)September 9, 1849 Sandersville, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | February 28, 1926(1926-02-28) (aged 76) Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Resting place | Glenwood Cemetery |
| Party | Democratic |
Rienzi Melville Johnston (September 9, 1849 – February 28, 1926) was an American journalist and politician. He edited theHouston Post from 1885 to 1919, and served a 29-day term in theUnited States Senate in January 1913 after the resignation ofJoseph Weldon Bailey. His term remains the fifth shortest in Senate history. Johnston was a member of theTexas Senate from 1917 to 1920, and also itsPresident pro tempore from 1918.
Johnston was born inSandersville, Georgia, on September 9, 1849 (some sources say 1850). He was born the son of Freeman W. Johnston and his wife Mary J. (née Russell). In his early years, Johnston worked in a print shop, but at the age of 12 was enlisted as a drummer in theConfederate States Army, serving a year from 1862 to 1863. After beingdischarged, he re-enlisted in 1864 and served until the end of the war. After the war, he returned to newspaper work.[1]
In the early 1870s, Johnston became editor of theSavannah Morning News. He traveled to Texas in 1878, where he took on the editorship of theCrockett Patron. After a year at thePatron, he went on to edit theCorsicana Observer and established theIndependent there. In 1880, Johnston moved toAustin, where he wrote for theAustin Statesman. TheHouston Post also enlisted him to serve as a correspondent to cover the state capital.[1]
After a reorganization in 1885, Johnston was chosen as the new editor-in-chief of theHouston Post, and later became president of the Houston Printing Company. As a noted editorial writer, Johnston was frequently quoted by other newspapers across the United States. He also served as the first Vice President of theAssociated Press for two years.[1]
Johnston, through his newspaper influence, became a leader of theDemocratic Party in Texas. He declined the nomination forLieutenant Governor of Texas in 1898. From 1900 to 1912, he served as a member of theDemocratic National Committee.[1]
At the beginning of January 1913,Oscar Branch Colquitt,Governor of Texas, appointed Johnston to theUnited States Senate to fill the unexpired term ofJoseph W. Bailey. Johnston served a brief term, from January 4, to January 29, 1913. Johnston's 29-day term is the second shortest in Senate history, behindJohn N. Heiskell's 24 days.[2] Elected to replace Johnston wasMorris Sheppard who would go on to introduce theEighteenth Amendment to the Senate, implementing thenationwide prohibition of alcohol.[3] Following his Senate term, Johnston returned to Houston and resumed his role as editor of thePost. He retired from the newspaper business in 1919.[1]
In 1916, Johnston was elected to theTexas Senate, representing Houston. He served in office from January 9, 1917, to January 12, 1920, through the 35th and 36th sessions of the legislature. On March 27, 1918, Johnston was elected asPresident pro tempore of the Senate. During the 36th legislature, Johnston was chair of the Towns and City Corporations Committee and vice chair of the Public Printing Committee. He resigned his seat in 1920, having been appointed by GovernorWilliam P. Hobby as Chairman of the State Prison Commission. In a special election, Lynch Davidson, later a state Lieutenant Governor, won Johnston's former seat.[1][4]
A collection of Johnston's papers is held atRice University in Houston.[5] His name has also been given to Rienzi, theMuseum of Fine Arts, Houston's house museum for European decorative arts. The house formerly belonged to Johnston's grandson, Harris Masterson III.[6]
Johnston married Mary E. Parsons in 1875, and they had three children. He died on February 28, 1926, and was buried inGlenwood Cemetery, Houston.[1]
| Texas Senate | ||
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| Preceded by | Texas State Senator from District 16 1917–1920 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. Senate | ||
| Preceded by | U.S. senator (Class 2) from Texas 1913 | Succeeded by |
| Class 1 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 2 | ||
