The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-06-26
THE LATE GOV. HYAMS.

(Erlday) morning, at MS Houoes " ~'
street, at o'clock, after short but severe
illness, in the SEVENTEEN year OF his age.
He was born in Charleston, South Carolina,
in 1905, where he was carefully and ciass'caiiy
educated. In 1928 he came to Louisiana, and
after diliaent probationary study under the
observation-disclosures of Mr.. Livermore, thenya
distinguished barrister, he was examined and
admitted to the bar. Before engaging in the
practice of the law, his talents as fnancier
had attracted the attention of the Directors of
the Canal Bank, and he was employed
| az the cashier and manager of the branch OF
that bank at Donaldsonville. He lived there
until 1885, having in the year preceding mar
ried Laura Matilda, the accomplished and
amiable daughter of Judge Smith, of West
Feliciana, an eminent, wealthy and popular
lawyer, and party leader. The union was in
all respects most propitious; their affection
and mutual esteem having strengthened and
deepened continually for more than forty
years. Her death, which occurred few
weeks ago, undoubtedly fastened that of her
most devoted husband.
In 1885 Mr.. Hyams removed to Alexandra,
in the parish Of Rapides, and engaged IN the
practice of the law, in partnership with the
late Judge William Dunbar, afterwards Rep
resentative in the United States Congress, and
the late John K. Elgee, whose career and
noble qualities are well RENE mbered.
After fifteen years of very laborious and
eminently successful practice, Mr.. Hyams
settled in New Orleans and made very extern.
sive investments in city property, which.
with previous purchases of lands in all parts
of the State, made him one of the largest
owners of real estate in louisiana. His pur.
chases were made with exquisite Judgment
and managed with careful method. At the
outbreak of the war his property was worth
over million Of dollars.
In politics, Mr.. Hyams had been from boy
hood an opponent of the Democratic party,
and before 1854 he was an active, energetic
Old Line Wing and very formidable one to
the Democratic party. But when the Ameri-
can party arose to occupy the field in lieu Of
the Wings, MI. Hyams rel scted their doctrine,
refused TO act and vote with them, and, in
company with his intimate and very dis
tinguished friend, Judah z. Benjamin, and
other prominent Wings, gave his adhesion
to the Democratic party, his opposition to
the Know Nothing party being marked with
peculiar zeal and vehement energy.
From the date of his nomination to the
State Senate in 1855 until the disastrous cleo
ton of Abraham Lincoln, Gov. Hyams was
eagerly and devotedly engaged in doing all
that lay in his power to strengthen, solidify
and enlarge the Democratic party. He
worked rapidly, systematically and inces-
sanity, leaving no stone unturned. repelling
all attacks, refuting all calumnies, urging on
the dilatory, encouraging the timid and in
fusing his own energy into writer's, orators
and managers. During part Of the memo
rable campaign Of 1855 he accompanied the
late Hon. E. Warren Noise, candidate for
Attorney General on the Wickliffe ticket,
through several parishes
In the Senate, Mr.. Hyams displayed legis-
lative capacity Of very high order, giving
promise of distinction in the higher sphere
of legislation, to which he would have been
sent, except for the war.
The confidence and esteem of his fellow
citizens was again shown by his nomination
as Lieutenant Governor, on the ticket with
Governor Thomas sOverton Moore in 1859.
Another hard foushI campaign resulted in
Democratic victory. As ex-ofScio President
of the Senate, Gov. Hyams won new and well
merited laurels.
While the Senate was in session he sell iom
left the chair, insisting upon strict adhesion to
rules and the observance of propriety and
courtesy. He checked senators very promptly
in their occasional proneness to wander out
of the line of debate He had that rare
faculty of presiding officer, of deciding and
ruling promptly.
Gov. Hyams with his usual industry rem
dered all the assistance in his power to Gov.
Moore and to his successor, Gov. Henry Wat
kins Allen, being seldom absent from head
quarters, whether at Baton Rouge, New Or
leans, Opelousas, Alexandria or Shreveport
He was especially earnest, Jealous and active
in aiding the philanthropic Allen in his noble
efforts to relieve the distress of the impover-
ished people of Louisiana, Northeastern Texas
md Southern Arkansas, employing sush
means and resources as the war had left to
him, with characteristic generosity.
Gov. Hyams and two sons resided short
time rear Crockett, Houston county, Texas
where in broad bend ofthe Trinity, his own
and Gov. Moore's people cultivated success
fully two adjacent plantations. Since the
summer of 1865 he has lived in New Orleans.
The deceased was noted for temperance in
habits, for great purity in character, for spot.
less integrity. for absolute fidelity to all en-
gagements, for love of truth. and for constant
devotion to duty. But his leading and ruling
characteristic was that kindness OF heart
which made him . model as husband,
father, neighbor and friend. His charitable
actions are innumerable, and very many
,ror,n - h;c looxh lose ~ honafaCtOr