Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-08-07

he worked as a 10urneyman for near
ly two years. While there he became
engaged to be married but the match
was broken off by the violent opposi-
ton Of the girls mother and friends,
the ground of objection being Mr..
johnson s youth and want Of pecuni-
airy means. In May, 1926, he return
cd to Raleigh, where he procured
journey work, and remained until
September. He then set out to seek
his fortune in the West, carrying
with him his mother, who was de-
pendent upon him for support. He
stopped at Greenville, Tenn, and
commenced work as a journeyman.
He remained there about II months,
married, and soon afterward went
still further westward; but failing to
find a suitable place TO settle, he re-
turned to Greenville and commenced
business. Up to this time his educa-
ton was limited to reading as he had
never had an opportunity of learning
to write or cipher but under the in
structions of his wife he learned
these and other branches. The only
time, however, he could devote to
them was in the dead of night. The
first office which he ever held was
that of Alderman o. the village, to
which he was elected in 1928. He
was reelected to the same position
III 1929, and again in 1880. In that
year he was chosen Mayor, whichpo-
sition he held for three years. In
1885 he was elected to the Legisla-
ture. In the session of that year he
took most decided ground against a
scheme OF internal improvements,
which he commended would not only
prove failure, but entail upon the
State a burdensome debt. The mea-
sure was popular, however, and at
the next election (1s37) he was de-
feated. lie became candidate again
in 1880. BY this time many of the
evils he had predicted from the inter-
nal improvement policy which he had
opposed four years previous were full
ly demonstrated, and he was elected
by a large majority. In 1910 be sery-
ed as Presidential Elector for the
State at large on the Democratic
ticket. He canvassed large portion
of the State meeting upon the stump
several of the leading Wing orators.
In 1871 he was elected to the State
Senate. In 1913 he was elected to
Congress, where, by successive cleo
tions, he served until 1858. During
this period of service he was conspic-
uous and active in advocating, re-
spectiyely, the bill for reflmding the
line imposed upon General jackson
at New Orleans i'm 1915, the annexa-
tion of Texas, the tariff of 1916, the
war measures of Mr.. Folks admins
tration, and Homestead bill. In
1853 he was elected Governor Of Ten
after an exciting canvass, in
which he was opposed by Gustavus
"A. Henry. He was reelected in 1885.
after another active contest his com
petitor being Meredith p. Gentry.
At the expiration of his second Pc
Rod as Governor, Tin 1857 he was
elected United States Senator for q
full term, ending March 3, 1868.
When the armed collision occurred
in 1861 between the Federal author
ity and the Cohfederacy Of the seced-
ing States, Mr.. Johnson took part
with the former, and in his place in
the Senate advocated every measure
to end the struggle in it's
favor. In the early spring of 1862
President Lincoln appointed NJ.
Johnson Military Governor Of Ten
nessee with the additional rank Of
General On the 9th of
June, 1864, he was unanimously NOM
mated by the republican convention
as the candidate with Mr.. Lincoln
for the Vice-Presidency. The ticket
was successful, and Mr.. Johnson was
sworn in and took his seat as presid-
ing officer of the Senate March 4th.
1865. On the 14th Of April following
occurred one of the most sad and
startling catastrophes in the wide
sweep Of human history. Only six
lays after the close of the civil war
by the surrender of General Lee, and
he army of Northern Virginia at
Appomatox, President Lincoln fell
BY the hand of an assassin, and few
iears after Andrew Johnson i'm ac-
.ordance with the provisions Of the
was inducted into the
position Of President. Before Mr..
Johnson's accession to the Presidency
md for some months after his as
of its duties, his politics
we're OF the extreme republican or
'adical school. In the change of ac-
ion which he saw fit to make, how
.ver, he undertook to restore the Sc
;eded State government on princi-
lies directly antagonistic to his
ormerpolitical professions, but some
What in accord with measures which
lad incipient development with
President Lincoln, and which had he
iyed would have imperiled his politi-
al status with his party. Congress-
men of extreme views at once arIayed
themselves against Mr.. Jollnson's
,olicy and the bitterest warfare was
Don inaugurated between the Execu-
i've and Legislative branches pO