Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-01-24
rRE R1scrroN OF arArn OFFlOERs


TIE ELECTION OF STATE OFFICERS
The legislature made up a good
deal of lost time Monday by elect
ing three State officers. The mem
bers will realize a sense of great
relief when the crowd has fairly
dispersed, and they get squarely
down to the real work Of legisla-
ton. Balloting for secretary OF
State had been goingon at intervals
for several days. The leading con-
testants were Colonel @. w. Gibbs,
present incumbent; Major w, d..
Lumpkin, of Shelby; W. G. Ewin,
of Humphreys; James White, OF
Hawkins, and Mr., Payne, of Har-
din. Lumpkin was Withdrawn
early in the contest rather than
prolong it. Colonel Gibbs was
elected by ffty-ive votes on the
thirty-ninth ballot. Colonel Marsh
I. Polk, of Hardeman, was easily
elected treasurer on the second bal
lot, and Colonel James L. Gaines
received seventy-fve votes and was
reelected on the first and
only ballot for comptroller.
The reelection Of Colonel Gibbs is
a well-merited tribute to his eff
cheney and ability in a high posi-
ton, and indicates the esteem in
which he is held. To be reelected
to a four-year Office over such ex-
cellent and able gentlemen as his
competitors is a triumph Of which
he and his friends may we'll feel
proud. He has acquitted himself
well, and in his intercourse with
the people of all parts of the State
has borne himself in a manner most
happily blending official dignity
with the suavity of the gentle
man. The election of Colonel
Gaines was a foregone conclusion.
He went into the office a stranger
to most Of the people outside Of
Knox county. In two years he has
won the hearts of all who have had
business about the capitol. He has
filled a difficult and Onerous posi-
ton SO well that the people would
not hear to achange. The election
of Colonel Marsh I. Polk, Of
Hardeman county, as treasurer,
completed aad rounded up as wor-
thy a set Of executive State officers
as ever the Legislature elected to
grace these positions. Two years
ago he made a strong race, and was
only defeated because there was
thought to be a necessity for the
retention of DR.. Morrow one term
longer. The impression fastened
itself on the public mind that Polk
should have the position this time,
and his election, we might say
again, was a fOregone conclusion.
The American, of Tuesday, says
of Colonel Polk
he is the youngest son Of the late
Marsh 7. Polk, brother of ex.Prendeni
James K. Polk, and was born May Is.
1881. Graduating at West Point Military
Academy 10 1852, be remained in tbs
United States Army until 1856, during
Rhieh time he accompanied Genera
Harvey on his Sioux expedition. After
resigning bis commission he retired L
bis home place 10 Hardeman county, anC
became a farmer. At the breaking on
OF the late war be Joined the Confedeg
ate army and commanded q battery a
Union City and Columbus until the BATH
Of Shiloh, in which he lost a leg, wa
laken prisoner and remained as sucl
until the general exchange in January
1863. lie rejoined the army aud serve
on General Leonidas Folks staff unit
T the latter was relieved, after whicIo b,
took command Of a post in Mississippi
At the battle Of Harrisburg Miss J Gen
Forrest placed him in command Of
regiment Of Mississippi State troops. Il
was then ordered to West Point, Ga
After which be took no active seryic0
, during the war.
2 After the surrender he returned homf
end has since been engaged in farmin,
, although in April, 1875, be and b
brother, Hon. Horace NJ. Polk, a Stat
= senator in tho last Legislature, purchase
r aud took charge Of the Bolivar Bulletin
They conducted it one year and sold
s TO other parties. Major Polk has ey'
G bees an unGinching Democrat, and hG
taken an Gatiye part 10 every canvas
for the past ten es twelve years. He WI
: a delegate to the st. Losis conyentio
which nominated 1ilden aud Hendfick
be haa q wife, who VII be a most We
S come Acquisition TO Nashville societ
tive sons and fouf dsDgbteTs.
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