Reminiscences of public men in Alabama : for thirty years, with an appendix, Part 23

Author: Garrett, William, 1809-
Publication date: 1872
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga. : Plantation Pub. Co.'s Press
Number of Pages: 826

USA > Alabama > Reminiscences of public men in Alabama : for thirty years, with an appendix > Part 23

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GEORGE T. JONES, of Madison, had, many years previously, served in the Legislature. He was elected to the House in 1841, which was the last session in which he took his seat, as age and infirmity were gathering upon him, and he declined all further calls to the public service. He still lived in the county, at an ad- vanced age. At the election held 8th November, 1870, he had himself carried to the polls, and addressed a few words to his old neighbors and friends, telling them that it was likely he was cast- ing his last vote. Mr. Jones was generally a silent member, but well informed as to his duties-indeed, a man far in advance of the largest number of his fellow members-and with a firmness that could not be shaken. If not a Roman, he was the descend- ant of one. Mr. Jones died in the early part of 1871.

JOHN B. HOGAN, of Mobile, was a conspicuous man in his day, qualified by courage and intelligence to fill respectably any station within the gift of the people. In 1835 and 1836 he was appointed, by Gen. Jackson, as United States Agent for the location of Indian Reserves in the Creek Nation, and in discharging his duties he had to encounter the stratagems of many speculators in purchasing the Indian lands for a mere trifle, availing themselves of the ignorance of the tribe. Some of these fraudulent operations were reported to the War Department, and were referred to by Gen. Cass, in the United States Senate, May 19, 1852, as may be seen in the Appendix to the Congressional Globe, vol. xxv. p. 596.

Previous to 1840, Col. Hogan had occupied a seat in the Senate from Mobile, and had been Collector of the port, until he was reformed out by President Harrison. In 1841, he canvassed for a seat in the House, and was elected. Col. Hogan was a gentleman of a high order of intellect and business qualities, well cultivated and developed. He was industrious and prompt, and, as Chair- man of the Bank Committee, (a laborious position,) he sustained himself to the satisfaction of his fellow members, and the public. From first to last, he filled a large space in the political, business, and social circles of Mobile. The session of 1841 was the last in which he served, and, his health declining, he died a few years thereafter.

CHARLES E. B. STRODE, of Morgan, came from Virginia a young man, and located in Somerville, for the practice of the law. In 1839, 1840, and 1841, he was returned to the House. At the

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latter session, he was elected Solicitor of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, which terminated his public life. Proud of his Virginia birth, blood, and education, and withal not a little ambitious and vain, he never failed to assert his claims to applause and admira- tion, on account of his superior literary accomplishments, by an address at once lofty and pretentious. In the meantime, that his refined scholarship might appear, he was exceedingly fastidious in his pronunciation, even in the agony of physical suffering, an in- stance of which is here given as illustrative of his character in this respect.

In the Summer of 1843, a personal friend of Mr. Strode, of whose literary cultivation he formed a high estimate, visited the Blount Springs, to improve his health by a brief sojourn at that popular watering place. In a few days thereafter Mr. Strode arrived, in quite a prostrate condition, and inquired of his friend if any baths could be had to refresh him after a dusty travel in the stage. The reply was, that baths would be speedily furnished by the proprietor of the Springs, either hot, cold, or tepid, pro- nouncing the latter word as tea-pid, from a habital carelessness in consulting his dictionary for the standard pronunciation of short words. Mr. Strode made no criticism at the time, but soon ordered a warm bath, in which he indulged to his satisfaction. They en- joyed each other's company until bed-time, and, by request, they occupied rooms adjoining. At a late hour of the night, Mr. Strode had a very painful attack of colic, and called on his friend to break open the door, as it was locked inside, and he was unable to leave his bed. Before doing this, his friend waked up the landlord, who soon brought a physician. In the meantime, however, the door had been prized open, and Mr. Strode's friend entered the chamber, to afford him all the relief in his power. The sufferer exclaimed, in great agony, "Oh, my dear M. I shall die; yes, I shall be cut off! Oh, horrible! What pain; farewell! I can not survive this attack. I never had such pains before. Hold me; rub me; my bowels are as hard as sticks. I am to die in the prime of life. Yes, I am dying just as honors begun-Oh, horrid- what a sharp pain now darts through my vitals-my honors were just blooming. I always thought well of you, my dear M. Oh, my distress! can I bear it ten minutes longer? Surely the Doctor will help! You must pardon my candor in the hour of death. My last hour has come-death or the Doctor! You have done all you could possibly do for me. Oh! oh, how sharp the sting! Think not hard of me-you caused me pain, not this infernal colic. Oh, can I have time to tell you what pain you inflicted on my literary taste! Oh, mercy -I shall die! " But, Mr. M-, you did pronounce that word tepid horribly; I expected better things of you !"

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Here the arrival of the doctor and landlord, with hot baths, mustard plasters, stimulants, and anodynes, and servants to assist, broke up the conversation, which was then assuming a very crit- ical turn. In the course of an hour, Mr. Strode was entirely relieved, and fell into a gentle slumber. His friend watched by his bed-side during most of the night, and the first remark he made on waking up was, "M. how kind you are? I thought you were a refined scholar, as your style denotes; but then you must mind your pronunciation. It is unworthy of your character in other respects, and you ought by all means to be a finished gentleman."

This anecdote is related merely to show the fastidious ideas of Mr. Strode. His whole conduct and aims seemed to correspond with this standard. As such, it was natural for him to feel a great contempt for his colleague, Col. McClanahan, who had never been a student at College, or even of an Academy. For this deficiency of education alone, his colleague was regarded as only a coarse, illiterate countryman; and yet, strange to say, this rough, ignorant man, as Mr. Strode was pleased to consider him, always led the ticket, leaving Mr. Strode to bring up the rear on the same Dem- ocratic platform. Mortified at this result, the Virginia aspirant tried hard to change it, and get himself in front, yet always with- out success. But in his electioneering tours, he had shown con- siderable dexterity, and made a favorable impression upon a plain man, who complimented Mr. Strode upon the manner in which he bore himself in the Legislature and in the canvass, and went so far in panegyric as to say that, if he continued a few years lon- ger, he would no doubt become as great a man as Col. McClana- han! This was a damper to Mr. Strode's ambition, and very inconsistent with the opinion he entertained of his own merits, and of Col. McClanahan's inferior qualifications. So he looked about for a door to escape from such darkness, and became a can- didate for Solicitor of another Judicial Circuit, to which office he was elected, and he thereupon changed his residence to Living- ston, Sumter county, one hundred miles from the scene of his mortification.

But Mr. Strode had one opportunity of taking revenge in the spirit of a true gentleman, as he was in all the traits of his char- acter. The old Door-Keeper of the House, from Morgan, op- posed his election before the people, but failed to defeat him. When the next election for Door-Keeper came on, the old incum- bent was again a candidate, and, fearing that Mr. Strode would vote and use his influence against him, sent a friend to the latter gentleman to make terms. The representative of the candidate was asked what he wanted, and, on disclosing his business, Mr. Strode replied, "Tell him I will vote for him for Door-Keeper.

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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.

I consider him well qualified, and only fit to wait upon gen- tlemen."

From this picture, the individuality of Mr. Strode may be deduced. He was a good speaker, very chaste in his diction, and much in the habit of quoting Shakspeare and the classics in debate. In social intercourse, he was very agreeable and con- fiding.

JAMES CAIN, of Walker, was first elected to the House in 1837, and was occasionally returned up to 1849, which was prob- ably his last session. He was a Whig, and in his Democratic county, had to watch his chances to get into the Legislature. Honest and popular, he was a man of good habits, of very little pretension, and grew largely in the esteem of public men, for the probity and consistency of his character. By industry and econ- omy, he had acquired before the war a good property, and was hospitable and charitable in his relations to society.

In October, 1862, the writer was called to Chattanooga, in an attempt to find a son who was suffering from the casualties of war. At the car-shed he met with Mr. Cain, on his way to Knoxville on a similar business. We were both fatigued and care-worn, but soon stirred up the old acquaintance and friend- ship. Time had dealt gently with the old man, and his face wore the same pleasant expression as in former years. In the din of that crowd, we for a time forgot our cares and surroundings, and lived over some of the scenes enjoyed a quarter of a century before, in the old Capitol at Tuskaloosa. He was still living a short time ago.

Mr. Cain is a favorable specimen of a class of men who have been aptly styled "the bone and sinew of the country." With- out the aid of books, he possessed a sound, practical judgment in the every-day affairs of life, doing justice to all men, and requir- ing the same equivalent. In proportion as his character was understood, it increased in public estimation.

JAMES M. RUSHING, of Sumter, belonged to the legal profes- sion, and was elected to the House in 1841, the only session in which he served. He was then a candidate for Judge of the County Court, and was beaten by Gideon B. Frierson, Esq. In politics he was a democrat. At the bar he made no very distin- guished figure, as he was naturally diffident, and had no great ambition. Morally and socially his standing was good, although he was no star in society. In truth, Mr. Rushing was rather slow and heavy in conversation, and very plain in his manners. The companionship of cultivated men seemed to communicate no polish to him. His nature resisted all such aggression, still he was

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reliable in the business of his profession, and always had a respect- able practice. He rarely addressed the jury, and never ventured upon a flight of eloquence, or of fancy, to gain his point. If he could not succeed without such agency he preferred defeat. Al- ways calm, he was always prudent, and never forcible. He might justly be compared to a timid ray of light feeling its way quietly into a fog, rather than to a thunder-bolt, smiting the atmosphere in a blaze. Safe and certain was his motto.

Though a bachelor, Mr. Rushing was chairman of the Com- mittee on Divorce and Alimony, to whom all applications and records on these domestic troubles were referred. Having no sympathies by experience, he was the better qualified, perhaps, to adhere strictly to the law, which he always did in his reports to the House.

HARRISON W. COVINGTON, of Sumter, was a native of North Carolina, and a graduate of the University of that State in the class of 1834. He was a lawyer by profession, and was elected to the House from Sumter in 1841. Owing to indisposition most of the time, his attendance on the sittings of the House was irregu- lar, though he had impressed his fellow-members forcibly as to talent and propriety of conduct. He did not serve at any future session of the Legislature. After remaining several years in Alabama, with what degree of success the writer has not been informed, Mr. Covington returned to the State of his nativity.

Among the other graduates of the University of North Carolina who have served in the Legislature of Alabama, are the following gentlemen whose names occur to the writer:

Isaac Croom, of Greene, who graduated in the class of 1815; Pleasant H. May, of Tuskaloosa, 1818; Pleasant W. Kittrell, of Greene, 1822; John Rains, of Marengo, 1823;

Archibald Gilchrist, of Lowndes, 1826;

Thomas McCarroll Prince, of Mobile, 1827.

By referring to the roll of practising attorneys in Alabama, in 1845, the names of many gentlemen will be seen who were like- wise graduates at Chapel Hill.

LEROY GRESHAM, of Tallapoosa, was returned to the House in 1841, and again in 1842, and served through both sessions with commendable diligence and attention as a Representative. He was a lawyer, and though moderate and unpretending, he often took part in discussions on the floor. Before the close of the last session in which he served, he was elected Judge of the County Court of Tallapoosa county, the duties of which office he faithfully dischaged for many years. He was a Whig in politics; and with

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many strong points of character, he combined many elements of popularity; but in a free and ungoverned use of them, they be- came the instruments of his ruin. He died a few years ago.

JABEZ MITCHELL, of Tuskaloosa, was elected to the House in 1838, and, except one, was reëlected every year thereafter to 1845, including which made seven elections by the people. His career was terminated by sudden death. He possessed a good, discriminating mind, well stored with political and other knowl- edge, which enabled him to appear to an advantage in debate, where he was always calm and deliberate. He was a Whig, and exerted a strong influence in his day upon the masses of the peo- ple. From some cause he had lost his right arm, which seemcd rather to increase his prestige with his constituents. He was a planter, and his intelligence reflected credit upon that useful class of his fellow-citizens.

WYATT HEFFLIN was a Georgian, and settled in Randolph county soon after its organization, when the Indians vacated East- Alabama, in 1836. He was elected a member of the House in 1841, and again in 1843 and 1845. After this his health became infirm, and he persistently declined the repeated calls made upon him, by the people, for further service in the Legislature. He belonged to that class of plain, practical men who are generally safe and useful in a legislative body. He was far above the aver- age in ability, and enjoyed throughout his connection with the Legislature the respect and esteem of his fellow-members. In the days of Troup and Clark, in Georgia, he was a Democrat on the Clark model.

Mr. Hefflin is the father of Judge John T. Hefflin, of Talla- dega; of the Hon. R. S. Hefflin, a Representative in Congress; and of Dr. Wilson S. Hefflin, of Louina, Randolph county.

WILLIAM HARRISON GREEN, of Livingston, Sumter county, is entitled to a respectful notice, not only for his personal merits, but in conformity with the rule in regard to candidates before the Legislature. At the session of 1841, he took part in the canvass for Solicitor of the Seventh Circuit. The ballot was, for C. E. B. Strode, a member of the House, 73; for Samuel F. Austill, 27; for William H. Green, 11; and for Lemuel Cook, 10.

In early manhood, Mr. Green removed from North Carolina, and settled at Livingston, Alabama, in, 1835, where he opened a law office. In 1836, he married a relative, Matilda, the daughter of his uncle, Simmons Harrison, Esq., of Kemper county, Missis- sippi. By this connection, he became allied to Nathan B. Bush, Dr. Lewis Bush, Dr. Alexander Sledge, Dr. Levin B. Lane, and 16

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others who wielded a large family influence in Marengo county. By this marriage he became the brother-in-law of Jacob Giles and James Bryan Shine, of Kemper county.

Mr. Greene was a gentleman of fine literary taste, and of sound professional judgment. At the request of the citizens, he delivered a public eulogy, in 1836, on ex-President Madison, which was much admired. He afterward formed a law partnership with Murray F. Smith, Esq., which commanded a large practice for many years. Mr. Greene had a large fund of common sense, which he carried into the practical concerns of life. His moral character was of the highest standard. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, and died several years ago, His exemplary life is worthy of all respect,

CHAPTER XV.

Legislature of 1842- List of Members- Banks placed in Liquida- tion - White Basis-Events of the Session.

The events and developments of the session of 1841 had the effect to arouse the public mind throughout the State, and to pre- pare it for the elections of 1842. The people came up to the occasion, and met the exigency with prudence and energy. The best men were selected for the Legislature in most of the coun- ties-practical, safe men, who, in their circumstances and charac- ter, were above the influence of the Banks, and would do their duty toward restoring the currency to the proper standard. The result was the election of the strongest House in this respect that had for years been returned to the Capitol.

The General Assembly met, under a change of time, on 5th December, 1842. The attendance was large in both Houses. In the Senate, thirty of the thirty-three Senators were present. Col. NATHANIEL TERRY, of Limestone, was reelected President, unanimously; George B. Clithnall, Secretary; Thaddeus Scales, Assistant Secretary, and A. R. Thomas, Door-Keeper.

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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.

The members of the Senate, representing Districts composed of one, two, or more counties, were the following:

Counties.

Senators.

1. Autauga and Coosa Dixon Hall,

2. Cherokee and DeKalb. Arthur Foster,

3. St. Clair and Jefferson Walker K. Baylor,

4. Blount and Marshall Mace T. P. Brindley,

5. Barbour and Russell Jefferson Buford,

6. Macon and Tallapoosa Samuel C. Dailey,

7. Morgan and Walker Milton McClanahan,

8. Franklin. Benjamin Hudson,

9. Tuskaloosa Dennis Dent,

10. Sumter John Edmund Jones,

11. Pickens. Peyton King,

12. Lauderdale Hugh McVay,

13. Dallas

William S. Phillips,

Walter R. Ross,

Harry I. Thornton,

Theophilus L. Toulmin,

16. Mobile.

17. Bibb and Shelby Daniel E. Watrous, Burr W. Wilson,

18. Fayette.

19. Jackson.

Thomas Wilson,

20. Lawrence Hugh M. Rogers,

21. Talladega Felix G. McConnell,

22. Butler.

Asa Arrington,

23. Clarke, Baldwin and Washington Gerard W. Creagh,

24. Madison

William Fleming,

25. Marengo.

William B. Moores,

Samuel C. Oliver,

Nathaniel Terry,

Thomas A. Walker,

29. Perry

30. Monroe and Conecuh Richard B. Walthall,

31. Henry, Dale and Covington

Angus McAllister,

32. Lowndes. John S. Hunter,

33. Chambers James E. Reese.

The House consisted of the following members :

Counties. Representatives.

1. Autauga William S. Morgan and John E. Mitchell,

2. Baldwin William H. Gasque,

3. Barbour John W. A. Pettit and John Jackson,

4. Benton. William B. Martin, Miles W. Abernathy, and John Cochran,

John Watkins,

26. Montgomery

27. Limestone

28. Benton .

14. Wilcox

15. Greene

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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.

Counties. Representatives.

5. Bibb. Robert Hill and Kenneth Morrison,

6. Blount. Godfrey Fowler and Isaac Wharton,

7. Butler Thomas H. Watts and H. S. Henderson,

8. Cherokee Thomas B. Cooper and J. M. Hendrix,

9. Chambers Charles Mclemore and William G. Morgan,

10. Clarke. Peter Dubose,

11. Conecuh Churchill Jones,

12. Coosa. Anderson H. Kendrick,

13. Covington Josiah Jones,

14. Dallas. William H. Norris and James M. Calhoun,

15. DeKalb William O. Winston and James M. Langford,

16. Fayette. James M. Morris and Elijah Marchbanks,

17. Franklin Felix G. Norman, B. R. Garland, and John T. Richeson,

18. Greene John Erwin, J. M. Witherspoon, and William G. Jones.

19. Henry John Pynes and William Gamble,

20. Jackson. Alva Finley, E. W. Williams, James Mundy and Robert T. Scott,

21. Jefferson Samuel S. Earle and L. G. McMillion,

22. Lawrence Tandy W. Walker, Denton H. Valliant and David Hubbard,

23. Lauderdale Jonathan Douglass, John S. Kennedy and Henry D. Smith,

24. Limestone Elbert H. English and Waddy Tate,

25. Lowndes Alfred Harrison and J. W. Dunklin,

26. Macon. Whiting Oliver,

27. Madison David Moore, C. C. Clay, Jr., James Robin- son and J. W. McClung,

28. Marengo Joseph Pickett and John W. Henley,

29. Marion Leroy Kennedy,

30. Marshall William M. Griffin and James Fletcher,

31. Mobile Isaac H. Erwin, Thomas W. McCoy, John A. Campbell and William D. Dunn,

32. Monroe. William Cunningham and John Morrissette,

33. Montgomery Robert J. Ware, and John Caffey,

34. Morgan Francis M. Roby and Green P. Rice,

35. Perry. William S. Miree, John Barron and Andrew B. Moore,

36. Pickens Nathan Smith, Thomas Williams and Reuben Gardner,

37. Pike. James H. Crowder and B. W. Hodges,

38. Randolph Jeremiah Murphy,

39. Russell. Brittain D. Harris,

40, Shelby John S. Storrs and Wilson M. Kidd,

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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.

Counties. Representatives.

41. St. Clair. James B. Bothwell,

42. Sumter William Woodward, Isaac F. Dortch and John A. Winston,

43. Talladega John W. Bishop and A. R. Barclay,

44. Tallapoosa . Leroy Gresham,

45. Tuskaloosa. Benjamin F. Porter, William P. Meriwether, Marion Banks, and William R. Smith,

46. Walker. James Cain,

47. Washington . B. L. Turner,

48. Wilcox .. Charles Dear and John W. Bridges,

49. Dale and Coffee, Levin S. Skipper.

In the House of Representatives, ninety-four of the one hun- dred members answered to their names. John Erwin, of Greene, was elected Speaker-the vote being, for Erwin, 65; and for Charles McLemore, 27. Joseph Phelan was elected Principal Clerk ; A. B. Clitherall, Assistant Clerk; W. C. Bibb, Engrossing Clerk, and James H. Owen, Door-Keeper.

In the Senate, one-third held over. Some changes in the newly elected Senators may be noted. Dr. John Watkins succeeded Mr. S. S. Andress, from Monroe; Col. Richard B. Walthall took the place of Henry C. Lea, from Perry; Major William Fleming re- turned to his seat, from Madison, which had been occupied by D. B. Turner; Gen. Thomas A. Walker succeeded Col. John R. Clarke, from Benton; and Mr. James S. Reese took the place of his brother, George Reese, of Chambers. Judge Thornton was Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary; Gen. Toulmin, of Mobile, on State Bank and Branches; Mr. Walker at the head of the Committee on Federal Relations; Mr. Walthall, on Internal Improvement; Mr. Baylor, on Education; and Gov. McVay, on Propositions and Grievances.

In the House, there was an abundance of talent and experience, coupled with character of a high order. The chairmen of the most important Committees are here given to indicate the position of members:

On State Bank and Branches, John A. Campbell, of Mobile; On Ways and Means, John W. Bridges, of Wilcox; On the Judiciary, James W. McClung, of Madison; On Education, John Cochran, of Benton;

On Propositions and Grievances, David Moore, of Madison ; On Internal Improvement, R. J. Ware, of Montgomery; On Public Printing, Andrew B. Moore, of Perry.

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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.

The Governor's annual message was transmitted to the two Houses, on Tuesday, of which the Senate ordered 1,500, and the House 5,000 copies to be printed. An abstract of this document, and portions quoted from it, are given under the head of Gov. Fitzpatrick's Administration. The topic most extensively dwelt upon by the Governor, was the regulation of banks and the cur- rency. Soon after the message was read, Mr. Pettit, of Barbour, offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the State Bank system of Alabama has failed to answer the design for which it was created, and ought to be discontinued; and it is the duty of the present Legislature to adopt measures for bringing the same to a close, at such time, and in such a manner as may best consult the public interest.

On motion of Mr. Martin, of Benton, the resolution was laid on the table.

The peculiar state of the times, the echoes from the people, and the practical teachings of the message, added to the high intellect- ual and moral tone of leading members, soon induced an earnest application of legislative energy for reform and improvement, looking to the public interest. The principal matters may be thus classed :

1. Retrenchment in all the departments of the Government, scarcely omitting an office, to diminish the burden of taxation.

2. The placing of the State Bank and Branches in liquidation, with a view to winding up their affairs, etc.

3. The passage of a revenue bill to pay the expenses of the State Government, and looking to the maintainance of the public faith; the first tax law of force in Alabama for many years.

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Reminiscences of public men in Alabama : for thirty years, with an appendix, Part 23

Author: Garrett, William, 1809- Publication date: 1872 Publisher: Atlanta, Ga. : Plantation Pub. Co.'s Press Number of Pages: 826

Author: Garrett, William, 1809-
Publication date: 1872
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga. : Plantation Pub. Co.'s Press
Number of Pages: 826