He returned to the House for the Eighth Legislature and was elected Speaker, defeating Nicholas Henry Darnell 45 votes to 33 on the second ballot.
[2] In the Tenth Texas Legislature, Taylor was again elected Speaker, defeating Constantine W. Buckley, 45 votes to 18.
[3] During this session, held in the midst of the Civil War, Taylor helped to pass resolutions praising Jefferson Davis, and stating support of the Confederate government.
In 1873, for the Thirteenth Texas Legislature, Taylor was elected Speaker for an unprecedented third time, defeating W. A. Ellett 76 votes to 10.
[6] According to some sources, Taylor was the father of several illegitimate African American children, one of whom he sent east to attend school.