USA > Georgia > The history of the State of Georgia from 1850 to 1881, embracing the three important epochs: the decade before the war of 1861-5; the war; the period of Reconstruction, v. 2 > Part 17
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509
THE STATE TREASURY.
sureties for money illegally paid by him, and authorizing. the Governor to appoint a competent person to aid the Treasurer in doing all things necessary for the State's interest. Dr. James F. Bozeman was selected as the official to do this important duty. The choice was admirable. Dr. Bozeman proved himself a careful, capable, patient, honest financier, tracing out the difficult problem of our confused State finances to an unerring conclusion.
The whole episode was a painful one. It involved a Democratic official who had peculiarly strong claims upon the party. Yet the inves- tigation was made with a resolute thoroughness that marked the differ- ence between a Democratic and the Reconstruction administrations. A Democratic rule probed and punished its own derelictions. The Repub- lican régime had shielded its offenders.
Gov. Smith decided upon examination that the Treasurer's bond was insufficient, and on the 15th day of November, 1875, he issued an Executive order requiring a new bond. This the Treasurer failed to give, and on the 26th of November, the Governor declared the office vacant by operation of law. From the 25th of November until the 4th of December, the Comptroller acted as Treasurer under the Executive appointment. On the 4th of December, 1875, Gov. Smith appointed and commissioned as State Treasurer, Hon. John W. Renfroe, who served the balance of Col. Jones' term, and in 1877 was elected and served for the full term of four years to 1881.
The administration of Col. Renfroe through its entirety was a signally able one. He had been for years the tax collector of the large county of Washington, and had made a marked reputation for efficiency, skill and promptness. His collections were thorough and his returns a model of book-keeping. He took the treasury chaotic, disordered and unsys- tematized. He made it methodical, clear and smoothly running. He had something more than good steady business ways. He possessed genuine and original financial ability, blending, in a singular degree, nerve, judgment and fertility of resource. He held the many reins of State money interest with a firm hand and an intelligence, equal to any emergency. He was economical and managing, saving the State in every possible manner.
It was a most fortunate selection. The State's credit steadily went up under his financial direction. IIe negotiated large amounts of bonds at less cost than any other Treasurer. And with all his strict discharge of his duties he was uniformly polite and accommodating, and won a universal regard by his courtesy and spirit to convenience people.
510
THE DOUBLE PAYMENT OF BONDS.
The irregularities in the Treasurer's office and the changes of admin istration startled and shocked the public mind. There has never been such a demonstration of popular sympathy as followed Col. Jones in this unfortunate calamity. The proof of an inefficient management was irrefutable. But the public clung to the idea of his integrity, with a touching tenacity. Great losses to the State were proven, but the gen- eral thought maintained the good intentions of old "Jack Jones."
Stunned, dazed, fluttering in his helplessness, and in dreamy doubt of a disaster that he scarcely comprehended, and which he fought with all the gallant consciousness of honesty, the old man reeled under the terrific loss of his cherished repute, and finally as the evidence accumu- lated overwhelmingly to show an incompetent and careless management, he bowed his head in mute anguish. The iron ordeal of an unpitying inquiry went on.
Civil suits were instituted. Months were spent by an auditor, Col. John M. Pace taking evidence. The trial ran far into Gov. Colquitt's administration, and finally, on the 23rd day of May, 1879, a judgment was obtained against Col. Jones and his sureties, John T. Grant and C. A. Nutting, for 896,000. The counsel for the State were the Attorney General, Col. N. J. Hammond, and the following lawyers employed by Gov. Smith, Gen. Toombs, McCay & Trippe, Willis A. Hawkins and Wm. T. Newman. Col. Jones had for his leading counsel, Hon. B. II. Hill. Mr. John T. Grant offered $35,000 cash in settlement of his lia- bility which was accepted by Gov. Colquitt upon the advice of the State's entire counsel.
This most unpleasant affair was an injury to Gov. Smith's adminis- tration. Henry Clews & Co. had paid, during the administration of Gov. Bullock, the entire bonds falling due in 1870 and 1871. These bonds were reported paid by the bond committee in 1871, as also by Gov. Conley in his message, and in his first message to the legislature as Governor in July, 1872, Gov. Smith had mentioned the bonds due in 1872 as the first bonds needing attention. Of the redeemed bonds of 1870 and 1871 Col. Jones had paid a second time, $149,250 with $24,- 782.15 of interest. These bonds had never been canceled by Henry Clews, but were sold at public auction in New York on one day's notice. for $18,625 to J. D. Hayes, the Misses Clews and Chittenden and Hub- bard. Somebody presented them at the State Treasury and Col. Jones paid them. He had no clue to the person who got the money. After that payment Gov. Smith passed his warrant to Col. Jones for these bonds. And whether rightly or wrongfully the public held it a matter
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511
CONGRESSIONAL CONTESTS.
for censure in the otherwise excellent financial administration of Gov. Smith.
Gov. Smith had pressed a controversy upon the writer in connection with the authorship of a newspaper letter, attacking him savagely, written by a Mr. Cowart. And in this controversy the writer entered fully into this double bond payment, and charged upon Gov. Smith a grave neglect of duty. The controversy which brought to light more clearly the facts of this bond mistake, demonstrated the tendency heretofore alluded to in Gov. Smith to provoke unnecessary antagonisms. It is due to Gov. Smith to say that the full extent of condemnation to which he should justly be subjected is simply such oversight of the fact of payment as would have prevented his signing a warrant for these bonds. The bonds had been paid. The money could not have been recalled. .. No human suspicion could attach any blame to Gov. Smith for the double payment. These are milder views of Gov. Smith's share of blame than the writer entertained at the time of the very tart corre- spondence in 1876, and are given in justice to both parties.
In 1876 an event occurred that attracted very much attention. Dr. W. H. White, who has since died, a gentleman from Iowa settling in Atlanta, was the successful originator and instrument of a large excur- sion of western citizens to the South, that went a great way to break down the ignorant bitterness existing between the sections, and which has proved so great a barrier to national reconciliation. Dr. White was a public-spirited citizen of energy and enterprise, who deserved the esteem he held among our people.
The death of Gen. Ambrose R. Wright and Thomas J. Speer, mem- bers of Congress, was followed by the election of Hon. A. H. Stephens and Col. Erasmus W. Beck to fill the vacancies. In November, 1874, the following gentlemen were elected to Congress, viz. Julian Hartridge, Wm. E. Smith, Philip Cook, H. R. Harris, Milton A. Candler, James H. Blount, Wm. H. Felton, Alex. H. Stephens and Garnett McMillan.
In the nominations of Col. Candler and Col. McMillan there had been prolonged, exciting and stubborn contests. McMillan beat Hon. B. H. Hill in the convention in a conflict that excited State interest. Col. McMillan soon died, and Mr. Hill was nominated and elected May 5, 1875, to fill the vacancy, and from that time has been in Congress. The most remarkable, and in some respects romantic, congressional contest,' was the one in the 7th District, which resulted in the election of Dr. William H. Felton as the Representative, which revolutionized the pol- itics of that District, which introduced a new and powerful factor in
512
PARSON FELTON.
the public matters of the state, and made the quiet old Seventh Dis- trict the scene of political strife so turbid and active as to focalize the gaze and the speculation of the whole people.
Some several weeks before the Democrats held their nominating con- vention, Dr. Felton had taken the field as an Independent Democratic candidate, on the general ground of the trickery of the convention system, which, he argued, disappointed instead of enforcing the popu- lar will. He was a tall, slender, gray-haired Methodist preacher, with a singularly effective eloquence and a very subtle power in reaching and controlling his hearers. The people of mountain sections seem to have a natural. proclivity to that loose wearing of political trammels that makes party independentism easy. It is a curious geographical fact that, in the 7th and 9th Congressional Districts, both mountain coun- tries, the Independents have been most active and successful.
Dr. Felton made a steady headway. His wife, a very comely lady, fearless, positive, managing, a born politician, a vigorous writer, and a tireless worker gave him a wonderful co-operation. Together they inaugurated a revolution that swept the District, made it the focal bat- tle-field of the State, and planted independentism in State politics for years to come. The placid parson became the central figure of public matters.
The convention nominated Hon. L. N. Trammell as the Democratic candidate for Congress. Dr. Felton attacked the fairness of his nomi- nation and his political record. Trammell met him squarely, hammer- ing down his assaults. They met in debate several times, and Dr. Felton declined to discuss with him longer. The disaffection in the Democracy of the seventh so perceptible gave serious trouble to the party all over the State. There were elements of discord at work that seemed uncontrollable. With a deft tact and consummate ability the clever parson used the chance. It was immaterial who was the nominee, the opposition to nominations existed. Whether Dabney, Lester or Trammell, it was the same breeding repulsion to convention work. Trammell was an unexampled manager, full of resources, and a watch- ful, masterly, political leader.
Col. Trammell wrote to the Executive Committee putting himself in their hands for the party good. It was a generous abnegation. The ' committee proposed to Dr. Felton that both retire and let the party settle the contest in some way. Dr. Felton declined. The committee decided that Col. Trammell must continue the fight. There was then every chance for the nominee. Trammell could have made the victory.
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DR. FELTON DEFEATED AT LAST.
But there was treachery in our own ranks. Realizing it, Col. Trammell determined that it should not be ascribed to him that the party was divided, and peremptorily withdrew. Col. Wm. H. Dabney was nomi- nated. The battle became hotter still. The schism grew, the rancor intensified, the struggle deepened in bitterness. Outsiders who were invited to come in and take a hand were warned off. The District seethed like the witches' cauldron in Macbeth. It was a red-hot time, full of accelerating fury.
Col. Dabney was an irreproachable gentleman and a fine lawyer, able and earnest. But Dr. Felton went for him. Dabney lacked personal magnetism and political strategy, and was not a match for Felton. We have never had a man in Georgia politics that has been so dangerous an assailer of personal records as this plausible preacher. He struck deadly blows. He held religious service on Sunday, and spoke politics on week days, and played perilous work generally with personal ante- cedents. His hold on the people was something marvelous, and could not be shaken. He inspired a tenacity of attachment in his followers, amounting to fanaticism.
He defeated Col. Dabney by over 200 majority. He ran again in 1875, and Col. Dabney was pitted against him, and he got an increased majority running to 2,462. The Republican vote went solid for him. In 1878 George N. Lester was nominated, and made a lightning race, full of fire. But Felton came in again with a majority of 1,350. It looked like the parson was invincible, and Independentism supreme. The contagion had spread. In the 9th, in 1878, a handsome, glittering, young man, showy, eloquent, ambitious, Emory Speer, who in 1876 had been defeated, slipped in over Col. J. A. Billups, the nominee, by a small majority, which in 1880 he swelled to over 4,000 in a tug with H. P. Bell.
But Dr. Felton's victory over Col. Lester closed his extraordinary series of successes, and in 1880 a sturdy, clear-headed, even-tempered young man, who had been first in the House of Representatives and then in the Senate from Walker county, entered the race and left the gallant parson behind. This sensible individual, Judson C. Clement, took a new tack. He would have no stock in a personal contest. He made a quiet elevated canvass, dignified, devoid of personality, soothing the asperities of an angry division, and treating Dr. Felton and his follow- ers with a uniform personal courtesy, and when the vote was counted, to the surprise of the State, and with somewhat of a shock to the par- son, Clement was declared elected. 33
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514
EMORY SPEER.
The defeat of Parson Felton has left his youthful and brilliant young colleague, Emory Speer, the leader of the Independents-a critical and perilous pre-eminence. He has shown, like the Parson, an able brain and a steady head, a thorough self-reliance and a shrewd mastery of the masses. It cannot be seen that Dr. Felton made any blunder to evoke defeat, but fell through in the reaction from a species of revolution and under the natural subsidence of men into customary and familiar polit- ical grooves. It remains to be tested whether the gifted young Speer can avoid the fate of his wise old colleague, and maintain outside of party lines that personal supremacy, which, while it utilized Democratic disaffection and a handy Republican balance of power, yet demonstrated an undeniable genius for leadership.
James Jackson
Martine of Crawford
SUPREME COURT OF GEORGIA.
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CHAPTER XLV. GOVERNOR ALFRED H. COLQUITT, AND HIS MAGNIFICENT MAJORITY.
The Popular Thought Points to Alfred H. Colquitt for Governor .- His Long Declen- sion .- Gen. L. J. Gartrell .- H. V. Johnson .- John H. James .- Thomas Hardeman Retires .- Gen. Colquitt's Character .- The State Democratic Convention .- The Col- quitt Caucus .- Weil and Wright .- An Amusing Episode .- Colquitt's Nomination and the Enthusiasm .- The Republicans put up Jonathan Norcross .- Colquitt's Easy Election and Vast Majority .- Tilden and Hendricks. - The Texas Banner Won .- The Congressional Delegation Re-elected Entire .- Ex-Gov. Joseph E. Brown .- Gregg Wright's Witty Article on Brown .- Gov. Brown's Service in Florida .- Changes ou the Supreme Bench .- James Jackson and Logan E. Bleckley .- Martin J. Crawford. -Alex. M. Spear .- The Legislature of 1877 .- A. O. Bacon, Speaker. - R. E. Lester .- E. P. Howell .- Patrick Walsh .- Gov. Colquitt's Splendid Financial Message. -His Practical Economy .- The Bankrupt Railroads .- Gov. Colquitt's Able Dis- position of Them .- B. H. Hill Elected United States Senator .- State House Officers.
DURING the years 1875 and 1876, the question of Gov. Smith's suc- cessor in the Executive office was actively agitated. Gov. Smith finally declined to be a candidate, and turned his aspirations to the United States Senate. The prominent name in the public mind was Alfred H. Colquitt. As early as 1857 the popular thought had pointed to him for Governor. After the war he had steadily declined political pre- ferment, and constantly grew in public favor. Coming from a blood renowned in Georgia annals; the son of a father, the most versatile and brilliant public man the State has ever known, Walter T. Colquitt; the inheritor of eloquence and ability for the administration of public affairs; a gentleman of rare Christian character and life, adding the grace of a deep piety to the attractions of a very handsome face and person, and with manners singularly simple and hearty, and reflecting a temper uniformly genial, Gen. Colquitt enjoyed an exceptional popu- larity, and had such a hold upon the respect and affection of the masses as few men have ever enjoyed.
He refused repeated solicitations to allow his name used for Congress, as well as for Governor and the United States Senate. He was con- stantly chosen as elector and delegate to National Conventions. He had, in 18:2, been elected on the same day President of the State Dem-
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516
THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR IN 1876.
ocratic Convention and President of the State Agricultural Society. He had been unanimously re-elected, year by year, President of the State Agricultural Society. Under this focal enjoyment of public regard he was at length squarely entered into the lists for the gubernatorial suc- cession.
Gen. Lucius J. Gartrell was mentioned and pressed by his friends for Governor, but when ex-Gov. H. V. Johnson's name was presented, he withdrew. Gov. Johnson was sprung as a gubernatorial candidate by Mr. Willingham of the Press, and warmly urged by Mr. Gregg Wright of the Augusta Chronicle and Sentinel. The late introduction of Gov. Johnson into the canvass was an injustice to that distinguished and popular statesman. His support was no criterion of the strength he had with the people. He neither endorsed nor declined the use of his name, but still left it before the public. The writer, a warm friend and admirer of Gov. Johnson, wrote him a letter, urging that so many of his friends were friends of Gen. Colquitt and had committed themselves to the latter, that he owed it to himself not to run.
Mr. John H. James, Banker of Atlanta, a gentleman of great native shrewdness and large means, accumulated by an uncommon financial sagacity and energy, had resolved, if possible, to cap his business suc- cess with the honorable distinction of Executive responsibility. Against Gov. Smith in 18:2, he had made something of a commencement of his attempt at the Executive chair. He regularly entered the race against Gen. Colquitt, and devoted himself to the campaign with that cool, sys- tematic energy and calculation that marked the man.' Deficient in education, he yet had a large fund of good sense, good temper, and real practical capacity. He pursued his canvass astutely.
The strongest competitor that Gen. Colquitt had, however, was Hon. Thomas Hardeman, Jr. This gentleman was very popular. As Legis- lator, Congressman, Speaker of the House, Confederate officer, he had shown himself capable, eloquent, honorable, patriotic and public spirited. He had convictions and the courage to defend them. He was and is a fluent and attractive speaker. He was true in his friendships, and direct and candid in his politics. Possessing a genial nature, he in- spired a general regard. Col. Hardeman has been one of the sincerest men in our public matters, meriting his repeated trusts, discharging his duties efficiently always, and enjoying public respect and regard.
Walter T. Colquitt, the father of Alfred H. Colquitt, was a most con- summate master of politics, and he transmitted to his son a full share of this power. The writer does not think that in the State there has ever
517
ALFRED H. COLQUITT.
been a wiser manager of a political campaign than Gen. Colquitt. Un- der his pleasant, unpretentious, genial exterior, he carries a keen judg- ment of men, an accurate perception of chances, a broad range of resources in management, a power of severe practicality, a thorough grasp of detail, and an unwavering decisiveness upon a deliberately selected line of policy. There were some other qualities in Gen. Col- quitt that gave him strength. No man was ever more crystally truth- ful and direct, no man was ever truer to friendship, and no man was ever more strongly governed by duty and conscience.
There have been many misconceptions of Gen. Colquitt's qualities,- inconsistent with his striking political successes. No mistake as to his character has been more widely at fault than the idea that his enemies have used against him, that he possessed a pliant and yielding character. This has grown from that perennial sweetness of temper and genial courtesy of manner that belong to the man. In truth he is as positive and unwavering a public man as we have ever had in Georgia. Not an aggressive person and not given to seeking combat, but a most un- changeable and patient man upon a line of policy he has shown himself to be. Every political campaign he has been engaged in has demon- strated fixedness, persistence and resolution of an unusual quality.
Perhaps the strongest trait of Gen. Colquitt's nature is his contempt for affectation or pretense. With a hearty scorn for shams, caring nothing for show, yet with a genuine pride of principle and gentility, he has kept his poise, preserved his common sense, and maintained the solid purity of his character and intelligence in a manner that testifies conclusively to his native worth. No public man has ever been more untouched by the glitter of official distinction, or has borne high prefer- ment with more modesty. This simple wearing of ennobling trust has been accompanied by a strong practicality that he shows in all matters, and which is the essential basis of a very strong personality with an unlimited reserve power in it. The qualities of this distinguished Georgian will be further discussed. He was destined for unprecedented triumph and a remarkable experience.
The nominating convention was held on the second day of August, 1876, in Atlanta. The selection of county delegates to the body demonstrated the overwhelming drift for Colquitt. When enough counties had acted to show the popular preference, Col. Hardeman, with that patriotic sensibility that has always signalized his public course, withdrew his name in a most graceful letter, yielding a prompt acqui- escence in the public will. At the Kimball House, the head-quarters of
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518
GOVERNOR COLQUITT'S NOMINATION.
the Colquitt, Johnson and James delegates were established. A caucus of Colquitt's friends was held in the large ball-room of the Kimball House. The Johnson men met in the breakfast-room, and Major J. B. Cumming stated that he had in his possession a letter from Gov. Johnson declining to have his name presented to the convention. The caucus resolved to support Colquitt.
In the Colquitt caucus the enthusiasm was overwhelming. The large room was packed. The proposal of three cheers for Colquitt brought out a ringing response which echoed throughout the immense building in thunderous notes. Mr. H. D. D. Twiggs announced the withdrawal of Gov. Johnson's name and that Johnson's friends would support Colquitt. The excitement that followed this announcement went to fever heat. Cheers were given for Gov. Johnson and his friends. Hon. Josiah Warren of Savannah was called, and made an electrical little talk. Among other things he used these notable words: " As an original Hardeman mari, and one who believes he is one of the purest and noblest sous of Georgia-and who withdrew in favor of one who is his peer in every respect [cheers]-Gen Colquitt-[cheers], and as a friend of Gen. Colquitt, and as one who is in favor of the harmony of the party, I congratulate you and the whole people upon the evidence here to-night of the future harmony and unisou of the Democratic party of the State of Georgia " [cheers].
Col. Hardeman made such a speech as he always makes, fitting and eloquent. The convention consisted of 550 delegates from 135 counties. Hon. Geo. F. Pierce, Jr., was made temporary Chairman, and Hon. Clifford Anderson permanent President of the body. Col. S. Weil of Fulton county withdrew the name of Mr. James, and moved the nomi- nation of Gen. Colquitt. Mr. H. Gregg Wright of the Richmond dele- gation had been empowered to announce the withdrawal of Gov. Johnson and put in nomination Gen. Colquitt. It is a part of the under-current of the history of this convention that the movement of Mr. Weil in his German idiom was a surprise, and unexpectedly interrupted the pro- gramme of the Richmond delegation. It created a sort of ripple of amusement, but the ready and quick-witted Wright met the sudden emergency cleverly, and put in his most felicitous speech with a spirit that brought the house down, stating that Johnson's name would not be presented, and urging Gen. Colquitt's nomination by acclamation.
The nomination went through with a rush, and Gen Colquitt was brought in, and made a stirring speech. Electors were chosen on the Tilden and Hendricks ticket. They were A. R. Lawton and J. W. Wofford from the State at large; and district electors, A. M. Rodgers.
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519
GOVERNOR COLQUITT'S SUPERB MAJORITY.
R. E. Kennon, J. M. Dupree, W. O. Tuggle, F. D. Dismuke, F. Cham- bers, L. N. Trammell, D. M. Du Bose and J. N. Dorsey.
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