The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-01
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.

In the early years OF the nineteenth century
there lived at Raleigh, n. c., man named Jacob
Johnson who Was porter in the State Bank.
town constable and on Sundays sexton. Among
his townspeople he was known as man OF great
industry and OF heroic impulses. He Is recorded
as having frequently risked his life in order to
save the lives OF other people, and, indeed, he
died In 1872 from the effects Of injuries which he
received while saving Colonel Henderson, editor
OF the Raleigh Gazette from drowning. Ana ew
Johnson was born at Raleigh on the 10th OF De-
cemoer, 1903. The death OF his father left
him and his mother In extreme poverty.
The house in which they lived was small,
shaky structure containing only two rooms
ANDY" grew mp. wild, vagrant, narum-sca um
boy, well known to the poorer people as a ragged
urcnin who played many tricks, but never dis
honorable one. lie never attended school. be-
cause he was not inclined toward education, aud
because his mother did not possess the few shi-
lings necessary for his maintenance at the acad-
envy attended by children OF well-to-do people.
When he was ten years old Amy was apprenticed
by his mother to a tailor. At that time he
scarcely knew the alphabet. He was restless
youth, given to frolicking and during the years or
his apprent he committed mlsdemeanor
by throwing stones at iady's house, for which
he was obliged TO ny from the state. He earned
his living with his needle. 1t was about this time
He earnestly wished that he might learn TO read.
In 1925 he returned to Raleigh, went into
the country where his former master lived,
apoogized TO him for running away, ana
promised to paw him for any losses he had
sustained. The master required security, ana
young Johnson being unable TO paylt again left
the State. He journeyed toward Tennessee, tax
ing with him his mother, whom he purposed to
support. He stopped az Greenvile, in the eastern
part OF Tennessee, sixty-six miles northwest Of
Knoxville. Hero he obtained employment as a
tailor. 1t was said OF him in that town that he
always did complete JOB. The garments ne
made were never returned to be reftted.
HIS MARRIAGE
During the frst year OF his residence at Green
vile he married plain girl, and 1t happened that
she had been TO school. She read to him while he
worked on the BENCH and after the work OF the DAY
was done she taught him the elements OF reading
ana OF arithmetic He also managed to gain from
her some instruction in writing. His old restless
habits now loft him; ana having heard a
gentleman louager OF his neghborhood reading in
the shop from a collection OF speeches. by Fox,
Burke and Erskine, his mind was turned
toward politics. lie at once became powerful
among the workingmen OF his town, and when, In
1928, a workinRman's party was formed he
joined It, and opposed the aristocralc people who
had thereto ore managed political AFFAIRS. He sue
ceeded in creating considerable excitement on
bot SIDES and his prominence made him a candi-
date for the position OF Alderman. He was elected
by a large majority. In the interests OF his fol-
lowers he became an honest demagogue. 1t was
sincerely attained habit OF his to say that he
labored for the interests OF the t0iling masses In
1880, being then but twenty-five years old, he was
elected Alderman He was so popular and his
education was so apparent that he was appointed
o trustee OF the town academy. About this time
a new constitution was proposed for Tennessee,
and Mr.. Johnson made himself active In aiding
TO secure its adoption. This constitution gave in
creased rights to the lower OF whites to
which Mr.. Johnson belonged. The slaveholding
arlsrocracy VINO had long exercised control OF
politics in the state opposed the adoption Of The new
instrument. 10 them his ambition was source
OF constant annoyance. 1t was not long before he
offered himself as o candidate for election to the
lower house or the State Legislature.
ELECTED TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
In 1886 he agltated forward his claims the friend
and champion Of the workingmen, and announced
himself as regular democrat. The leaders OF the
democratic party, however. sighted his preten-
sions, and his ambition compelled him to enter
the campaign personally. He was elected. This
was At a time when the people OF the
state were much agitsted over the question
of public improvements. Many politicians were
with macadamzed roads, and for this purpose
resolution was introduced in the Legislature In
volving the State in a debt Of $4,000, 900. Mr..
Johnson became Its bitter opponent on the ground
that It ought frat to sanctioned by the people.
The measure, however, became q law, and was
very popular, 30 that when Mr.. Johnsons term
expired he was so greatly disliked that he was
not reelected. The prophecies he mad made were
fulfilled during the next two years. The scheme
OF internal improvements proved to be fraud.
In 1889, in the reaction, ne was again elected to
the Legis AZURE. He was now power
in the State OF Tennessee. When Martin
Van Buren, was a candidate for President
Mr.. Johnson was placed upon the democratic
ticket as an elector-at-large, and during the sum-
mer OF 1910 he actively canvassed the whole east
ern portion OF the state. At this time ne aban-
boned the tai,or's bench, and. with the aid OF
friends entered into speculations by which he
made good living. He purchased two slaves for
domestic purposes. His name was known through
out his state that OF an influential stump
orator. The aTstocrstlc leaders OF his party were
still opposed 10 him; but as Tennessee was wing
Ia politics ana ne was democrat ms comDaIive
BILE to MS party. In lS4l he was elected 10 the
State Senate, and therein he was the champion or
a measure for prudent improvements In hts own
portion Of the stats Bis abilities were highly ap-
preclated.
ELECTED TO CONGRESS-
IA 1913 he was the democratic candidate
for Congress, ana he was elected. he re-
tanned MS seat by successive re-elecLions
until 1858. During these ten years ne gave
an honest support TO the prominent measures
while in Congress OF insisting that he was the
representative OF the people; and 1t was his hon.
est opinion that democracy should rest directly
upon the wishes OF the masses. by the masses
ana by democracy he meant the laborinR people
only. He mated the aristocracy aud the aristoc-
racJ hated him. During the lush times OF the
democratic party he was little noticed In WASTE
lngton. he was always trying to cut down gov
eminent expenses, and thus made himself bug
bear to his parry, ana he would never attena
caucus. He was an extremely honest,
obstinate man. and In our day he
would have been called sincerely
pig-Aeaded man. II must be confessed that IN mis-
demagoRue. Yet no did q good work. He was
always opposing clerical expenses add funeral
bills. No one ever doubted MS honesty. He
wished that the people should vote directly for
President instead OF through q college OF cleo
tors. He urged tnat the tarln should be 80 esti-