USA > Alabama > Reminiscences of public men in Alabama : for thirty years, with an appendix > Part 41
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama. 395
debate. His language was that of a finished scholar, and his elo- cution very pleasant to the ear. While his talents and his virtues gained him universal respect, he seemed to lack a concentration of purpose, and boldness of character, to propel him in the battle of life, where fame can only be won by a series of conflicts and triumphs. The Legislature afforded that arena, but Mr. Chan- dler was too unselfish, too modest, to improve the occasion by scheming his own advancement. He had no tact for political ingenuity, to use a mild term to express a large meaning, well understood in public life. He introduced a number of bills and resolutions, and offered amendments in the progress of measures, which showed that he well understood the best policy of the State, and the true interests of the people. His legislative record was much to his credit, though it was not equal to public expecta- tion. He appeared to be satisfied with the experience of one session, and was not again a candidate. In politics, he acted with the Democratic party.
His success at the bar as an advocate was decided. He always had large crowds when it was known that he was to address the jury in some case where his powers of eloquence, and the beau- ties of his imagination, could be fully displayed. His moral teachings in his professional capacity, like those of Lord Erskine, were always intended for the good of his race; and, animated by a Christian sympathy, his zeal found ready appreciation. But it was not at the bar or in the Legislature that Mr. Chandler was most effective in doing good. It was in his social relations, and as a member of the Presbyterian Church, that his influence was most beneficially exercised. His qualities as a man and a Chris- tian transcended everything else in his character. And it was well that he had this support, as troubles multiplied in his path. Misfortunes resulting from the war fell heavily upon him, and left their sad impress upon his mental and physical condition. Death terminated his sufferings in 1866. His tomb should be a hallowed spot.
Tread lightly o'er his ashes, ye men of genius, For he was your kinsman ; Weed clean his grave, ye men of goodness, For he was your brother.
WILLIAMSON R. W. COBB, of Jackson, began his long career of public service at this session, as a member of the House. He had been engaged many years in the business of peddling clocks, by which he made a handsome property; and turning his atten- tion to political life, he was elected from Jackson in 1844, and again in 1845.
His first enterprise in legislation was a bill which he introduced to amend the law exempting certain articles of housekeeping from
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sale under execution, for the benefit of each family. To the table furniture specified in the existing law, he proposed to add a half dozen plates, a half dozen cups and saucers, and a coffee pot, or articles of a similar description. He made his debut on the floor in favor of his bill. It was evident to all that he was courting public favor by this crockery adventure, but no one supposed that he would be hardy enough to make it the stepping stone to Con- gress-a man then ridiculous enough in his manner and ideas to provoke merriment among his fellow-members. Of course the bill passed, because no one had any objection to securing the little pittance for the use of a family in reduced circumstances. In the course of the narrative, it will be seen how the rattling of this crockery by Mr. Cobb acted as a charm in killing off all suc- cessful competition to him afterward.
At the session of 1845, it became necessary for the Legislature to ratify or reject the amendments to the Constitution providing for biennial sessions of the General Assembly, and for the re- moval of the Seat of Government. On this question he made a speech which savoured of his love for the people, and voted for the ratification of both measures. Others did the same in suffi- cient number to make it prevail.
After his nomination by the Democratic party for Governor in 1847, the Hon. Reuben Chapman resigned his seat in Congress, and to the surprise of everybody Mr. Cobb took the field as a candidate to fill the vacancy. He was elected over William Ack- lin, Esq., his competitor. In 1849, Mr. Cobb was opposed by Jeremiah Clemens, Esq., whom he defeated, and in 1853, Clement C. Clay, Jr., Esq., entered the list against him with no better suc- cess. After this, Mr. Cobb had an easy time, as it was generally agreed that there was "no vacancy" in his Congressional District, if victory at the ballot-box was a criterion. For twelve years in succession he went to Washington City as a Representative in Congress. In January, 1861, when he was officially notified that Alabama had seceded, he took his leave of the House.
In 1863, Mr. Cobb was elected to the Confederate Congress, but did not take his seat, on purpose it was thought. His conduct subjected him to severe criticism by Southern men. He lost his life not long after the surrender, by the accidental discharge of a pistol in his own hands.
Mr. Cobb was a tall, long-armed man, of some intelligence and more shrewdness, and well versed in the school of the demagogue. This was his principal stock in political trade, and it paid him well. He never let an opportunity pass to secure a vote, and the mail- bags and post-office were his channels of communication, aided by the franking privilege. The Patent-office was brought under con- tribution, and more seeds were scattered through his District than
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any other, addressed frequently to the mothers of some four or six voting sons. Public documents, wrapping paper, red tape, and sealing wax made up a large item in his operations. By this means he fed the people, and was at all times quite attentive to their interests. Every section in his District that wanted a mail- route, and any neighborhood that needed a post-office, was sure to be served by the influence of Mr. Cobb. In his speeches before the people, he was apt to play upon their prejudices of poverty, and always presented himself as the especial friend of the poor man, and for this reason, he alleged, he was opposed by the rich, &c., &c.
It is but an act of justice to say, that with all his demagogism, he was vigilant and true in guarding and promoting the interests of his District and section, and in the general his votes in Con- gress accorded with those of the other members from the State. He practiced one courtesy that made him many friends in the State, and contrasted him very favorabiy with some of his colleagues. He would look after the interests of gentlemen visiting Washing- ton on business from Alabama, call upon them, show them round, accompany them to the departments, and introduce them. This was a marked service, and justly made Mr. Cobb many warm friends outside his District. Take him altogether, Mr. Cobb was a remarkable and successful man.
DR. EDWARD H. COOK, of Lowndes, a Whig, was elected for the first time in 1844. His intelligence, and the ideas he gained at this session of the modes of proceeding in the House, qualified him to take a more active part in the public business at the next session. He declined any further election to the Legislature, and in 1847, he was elected Judge of the County Court of Lowndes, the duties of which he performed with such competency, that when the Probate Court was established, he was elected Judge by the people, and continued in office while he lived. He has been dead many years.
Dr. Cook was truly a gentleman of the olden school, quiet, respectful, and agreeable in his intercourse with society. His service in the Legislature brought about him many friends of the Democratic party, as shown by their votes for him as Judge of the County Court, in opposition to a decided Democrat. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church.
ISAAC CROOM, of Greene, was a native of North Carolina, and graduated at the University of that State in 1815, as one of a class of eighteen graduates, among whom were John H. Bryan, after- · ward a member of Congress, Francis L. Hawks, a distinguished lawyer, divine, and historian, Willie P. Mangum, a Senator in
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Congress, and President of the Senate, and Richard D. Spaight, Governor in 1834-'5.
Mr. Croom belonged to a wealthy and influential family con- nexion in North Carolina, which had furnished many talented sons, among whom was Hardy B. Croom, Esq., who, with his wife and daughters, perished on the wreck of the steamer "Home," off Cape Hatteras, in 1837, on the voyage from New York to Charleston.
Col. Croom was a planter of large means, and it was natural that he should desire a better opening than his native State afforded. He selected the rich soils of Greene county, Alabama, for his fu- ture agricultural operations, and removed there with his property about the year 1830. Of well cultivated mind, he furnished many valuable communications to the press, bearing on his favorite pur- suit, which had a good effect on the planting interests of the State. He was for many years President of the State Agricultural So- ciety, and took a leading part in getting up the State Fairs, which have since proved of great public utility.
While serving in the House at the session of 1844, he made a very able speech in support of the bill providing for the mainten- ance of the public faith, and the payment of the indebtedness of the State to the last dollar. He shamed the idea of repudiation as a reproach and dishonor to any people. His manner was im- pressive, and his arguments unanswerable. It was generally be- lieved that his speech on the question had a marked influence in producing that unanimity in the House with which the public credit was sustained, and the doctrine of repudiation branded with scorn.
Col. Croom was a Whig in politics, but was so liberal and cour- teous toward those who differed from him in opinion, that he had many friends in the Democratic party. He was President of the State Historical Society, which was organized a few years before the war. In all the positions which he held, he acted a wise and faithful part, and long will the people of Alabama, especially in the rich planting section of Greene, Marengo, Perry, Sumter, and Dallas, remember his valuable services with gratitude. He was a gentleman of dignified deportment, yet affable at all times, and carried with him the evidence in his personal address, that he had been accustomed to the best society all his life, as to the "manner born." He died suddenly, a year or two after the close of the war, aged about seventy years.
HARRELL HOBDY, of Pike, was a planter of extensive wealth and a good financier. He was for many years a leading man in the county, and seldom failed of an election before the people. He served the people in the House and Senate, with sound prac- . tical ability, and close attention to business, An old settler in the
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State, acquainted with its prominent public men, a Democrat, un- varying in his adherence to its principles and organization, he had the confidence in council of the leading men of the party. He had no other ambition than to serve the people faithfully, and to keep the ship of State on the right track. He was in no wise selfish as a politician or public man; but would talk a good deal of his possessions, and give, as a reason for wanting the Legislature to adjourn, that he wished to visit his plantations in Arkansas, and perhaps in other States. This may have been a weakness with him, and if so it was certainly innocent, and hurt nobody. Mr. Hobdy was an excellent citizen, and died a few years ago.
SAMUEL W. INGE, of Sumter, was a son of Major Francis Inge, of Greene county. After his admission to the bar, he settled in Livingston, to pursue his profession, and was elected to the House in 1844 and in 1845. He was a ready, fluent, and agreeable speaker, bold and impetuous in his manner, and always equal to the occasion. In debate, he was a formidable antagonist to en- counter. Very few young men possessed his tact and resources. On the question of "Removal," at the session of 1845, he was a leading supporter of the claims of Tuskaloosa to remain as the Seat of Goverment, and his speech on that occasion, was a masterly effort. But the two propositions to be ratified were so united in a bill artfully drawn for the purpose by Mr. Bowdon, of Talladega, that "Biennial Sessions" and "Removal" had to receive a com- mon fate.
Such was the reputation that Mr. Inge acquired as a legislator at the two sessions, that in 1847 he was nominated by a Demo- cratic Convention, as a candidate for Congress in the Tuskaloosa District, over Mr. Payne, who had represented it several terms. Mr. Inge had for his competitor a strong man, William M. Mur- phy, Esq., his first cousin, and these two gentlemen, well matched in ability, and in popular eloquence, canvassed the District with marked zeal and courtesy, never forbearing in argument when it would prove effective, and never forgetting the amenities of lion- orable competition. A week or two before the election, they met at Northport, in Tuskaloosa county, for discussion, and the Hon. William R. King, happening to be on a visit to his relatives in the town of Tuskaloosa, was present in the large collection of peo- ple to hear the candidates speak. Although the Bank of the United States had been dead since 1841, and the question of its re-charter was settled by the veto of President Tyler in that year, it was a favorite ghost which Mr. Inge carried with him to frighten the people, and at Northport he exhibited the apparition of the monster in its most hideous form, and denounced the Whig party as Federalists in principle, for attempting to exercise power by the
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creation of a Bank for which there was no warrant in the Consti- tution. Though sitting with great composure and dignity, as was his habit, Col. King manifested some little embarrassment in his countenance, and his fine, healthy complexion assumed rather a crimson tinge, as his friend, Mr. Inge, struck blow after blow, with sledge-hammer force, on the supporters of that rotten, Federal institution. Other topics were touched upon with due force, and then Mr. Murphy rose in reply.
He answered all the objections of his opponent, and with a complimentary allusion to Col. King, he felt gratified that he had so distinguished a hearer, and he might add, so distinguished a witness, one so influential in the Senate of the United States, and one so potent with the Democratic party, who, in early life, had represented another State in Congress, about the time the United States Bank was re-chartered in 1816, and knew the condition of the country which called for such an institution, and the patriotism and honor of the men who voted for its establishment. Here Col. King's face turned a still deeper red, and his shoulders fairly twitched. Mr. Murphy perceiving his confusion, attributed it to his modesty under the compliment he had bestowed upon him, and forbore further personal allusion.
After the discussion was over, and Mr. Murphy was returning to the city with a number of his political friends, one of them re- marked to him, that if he had gone only one step farther, and stated that Col. King voted for the Bank charter in 1816, as a Representative in Congress from North Carolina, he would have estopped Mr. Inge in his charge of Federalism against the Whigs who were in favor of a Bank. Mr. Murphy asked if such was the fact? On being assured that it was, and that the Journal of the House would show it, he expressed his sincere regret that he had not known it in time, for he would certainly have referred to it in terms that would not have offended Col. King, whilst it would have silenced that everlasting howl of "Sam. Inge " against the integrity of those who favored a Bank. But the occasion had passed, and the advantage within his grasp was wholly lost, as the last speech in the canvass had been made. Either from the pres- sure of the Bank question, or some other influence, Mr. Murphy was defeated, and Mr. Inge, the young Democratic champion, was covered with Congressional honors.
In 1849, Mr. Inge was a candidate for reelection, and succeeded over his able Whig competitor, Joseph G. Baldwin, Esq. After this term expired, he seems to have been content with his experi- ence at the Federal Capitol, as he declined further service in Con- gress. While there, he shared freely and boldly in the exciting discussions which took place, and was always among the foremost in defending the rights of the South from Northern aggression.
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On another subject, he had a personal difficulty with the Hon. Edward Stanly, a Representative from North Carolina, which resulted in a hostile meeting at Bladensburg, or its vicinity, where shots were exchanged without serious injury to either.
Resuming his practice at the bar, Mr. Inge was next appointed by President Pierce, United States Attorney for the District of California, which caused his removal to the Pacific coast, where he remained until 1866, during which year the writer met him at Montgomery, as he was preparing to return to California. In a year or two thereafter, Mr. Inge died suddenly, a man of note, of personal courage, and of inexhaustible resources as a politician. He was inclined to be stubborn in his purposes, and considered himself fully competent to manage his own affairs without advice, rather overbearing in the assertion of his rights, and his claims to preferment: There was some austerity in his manner as though the world had not exactly pleased him.
ROBERT JEMISON, Jr., of Tuskaloosa, was born and educated in Georgia, and was long a school-mate of Dixon H. Lewis, at Mount Zion Academy, Hancock county, under the direction of Dr. Nathan S. S. Beman. His father, William Jemison, was a very large land owner, including the rich settlement in the vicinity of Tarversville, Twiggs county, and removed to Alabama about the year 1820, settling in the neighborhood of Tuskaloosa. Here commenced the prosperous course of Robert Jemison, who always added, and perhaps still adds, "junior" to his name, to contradis- tinguish it from an uncle, for whom he was named.
Mr. Jemison had served in the Senate prior to 1837. The po- litical excitement of 1840, brought him out on the Whig ticket, and he was elected to the House, and was reelected to that body in 1841, 1844, 1845, 1847, and 1849. In 1851, he was returned to the Senate, of which he continued a member for twelve years. In 1861, he was a delegate in the Convention, and voted against the Ordinance of Secession, using all the arguments in his power to show its impolicy. After the State had taken position, he de- voted his great powers and energies to the defense of her rights and her sovereignty. In 1863, upon the assembling of a new Legislature, he was unanimously elected President of the Senate, a position he did not desire, but one which he filled with dignity and ability. A few days thereafter, a still higher compliment was paid him by his election to the Senate of the Confederate States, to supply the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Yancey, a place which he held at the time of the surrender.
At no period in the legislative history of Alabama has any man been more intimately connected with the important interests of the State than Mr. Jemison. His mind was strong and capacious
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in its grasp, safe in its conclusions, and always centered in the public welfare. Though a decided partisan in his attachments to principle, he was ever open to conviction, and ever ready to do right. His character in this respect was so fully established, that. the Democratic Speaker (L. P. Walker, Esq.) appointed him Chair- man of the Committee on Ways and Means at the session of 1847, when the whole revenue system of the State had to be reorganized, to sustain the public credit, and to defray the ex- penses of the Government, after the Banks had been put in liquidation. It is not saying too much when it is claimed for Mr. Jemison that a better appointment could not have been made. He applied himself vigorously and successfully to the task, and gave form and substance to those various measures which have since proved so beneficial to the State and the people. While in the House, he continued to act as the head of the Committee, and on his transfer to the Senate, he was made Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Taxation. A complete revenue sys- tem came from his hands, which has upheld the honor of the State, and satisfied public expectation. In the department of finance and political economy, Mr. Jemison has no superior as a statesman.
It was through his influence that the Asylum for the insane was established near Tuskaloosa, and that large sums of money were granted to rear up the institution in a style which reflects honor upon the State. Mr. Jemison also projected and carried through the charter of the North-East and South-West Railroad, which has resulted in the Alabama and Chattanooga Road as its succes- sor. Indeed, there are few, if any, measures looking to develop- ment and progress, which Mr. Jemison has not aided in carrying. forward. His ample legislative record is full of practical wisdom,. without the glare or frivolity of mere abstractions. Take up the Journals of the House or the Senate for the many sessions in which he served, and it will be observed that more salutary amendments to bills and resolutions were offered, and more judi- cious matter introduced by him, in various shapes and modifica- tions, than by any other member of the Legislature. He has a large, working brain to devise and comprehend systems of policy, and the skill to carry them into execution.
Having said this much respecting the public life of Mr. Jemi- son, it only remains to add that he has been a large planter from his youth, and has been connected with many valuable enterprises in milling and manufactures, and has in other respects used his large fortune for the good of the community, always setting an example of liberality and perseverance in his plan of operations. Whenever he builds a mansion, or makes improvements of any kind, it is always on a plan of his own, princely in the concep-
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tion, and with taste in the surroundings. He at present resides in the city of Tuskaloosa, where, and in the vicinity, he has passed fifty years, or thereabout. The war, no doubt, has greatly dimin- · ished his wealth, and cut off the means to which he had been accustomed in carrying on his several plantations, and his manu- facturing establishments; but it is hoped enough remains to make the evening of his life comfortable, as the meridian has been hon- orably devoted to the public service. In this respect, no citizen of Alabama is in advance of Mr. Jemison, nor is there any who excels him in the attributes of a solid, noble character.
[NOTE .- The foregoing sketch was written in the Spring. Mr. Jemison died October 16, 1871.]
DR. PLEASANT W. KITTRELL was raised in North Carolina, and graduated in the State University, in the class of 1822. It is pre- sumed that he received his medical education in Philadelphia, from his skill and success in the practice, as there was no other institution in the country, about that time, which offered such thor- ough instruction to medical students. At what time he removed to Alabama I am not informed; but he was well established in his profession, and in the confidence of the people many years before he was elected to the House in 1844. He possessed wit, repartee and fine conversational powers, which rendered him a favorite with both sexes. He was also a good speaker, and never turned aside from a tilt with any gentleman in discussion. His industry, intelligence and sound judgment made him, in legislation, what is usually termed, in such cases, a valuable member.
Dr. Kittrell was a Whig, "without discount," of the old North Carolina stripe. He was reelected in 1845 and again in 1847- the latter year being the first session held at Montgomery, where he took a leading part in the proceedings and debates of the House, and was listened to with attention. His reports from com- mittee were well framed, and showed an intimate knowledge of the subjects referred. He was favored with a comely person, dressed in good taste, and had the cultivated manners of a gentleman.
The session of 1847 was his last, as he declined any further public employment in Alabama, and soon thereafter removed to Texas. The writer met Dr. Kittrell at Charleston, in 1860. He had made it convenient to be present at the National Convention to meet with many old friends, and to visit his former home in North Carolina. If I mistake not, he has been called by the people among whom he settled in Texas, to positions of honor and trust. No gentleman was more courteous, or more generally respected, and such representatives of the old North State do honor to the land of their birth and education. He was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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