Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-01-08
r
Personal Sketches OF the Members
OF The FOs tieth General Assembly
of seRneBsee.

nAOAhs
Personal Sketches or n Members
OF the FOs tieth General Assembly
Of s~eRnessee.
ROBERT EMMETT THOMPSON (DEM
Senator from the Twelfth District, waS
born at the Cockrell Spring place, near
Nashville, Tennessee, on the 9th OF Oc-
tober, 1924. He descended from the
Tnompsons, Cockrells, McNairys and
Robertsons, four of the Oldest families Of
the State, families distinguished for tGsir
courage, patriotism aud intellect. Mem
oers of his family have filled every pos.
ton of honor in the State Government
and in the Federal Government except
President and Vice President. Robert
c. Thompson, his father, was a lawyer of
great ability and made considerable repu.
tltion, although but thirty-two years Of
age when he died. He was the owner Of
a large property at his death, but having
become involved in security matters, his
estate ives declared insolvent, aad Sen.
ator Thompson was left at the sgs Of ten
without a dollar. BE determined to edu.
cate himself, and having an uncOnqaei-
able will, nothing could deter him
Notwithstanding up to the death of his
father he was INDUCED in al the luxuries
that wealth could afford, at thirteen years
of aga he bought a blind horse and .
market.cart ard marketed to Nashville
for four years and r%ealizsd $llOO,
which he expended in obtaining an
education at different places. He
was in the senior class, half sd-
vsnced, in Cumberland University, when
he married Miss Mary Taliaierro,
the daughter OF Colonel 2 Taliaterro, Of
Lebanon. Tenn in 1874. Senator
Thompson has resided in Lebanon ever
since, and has twelve times been elected
mayor of bis town. He has bssn a mem,
Der Of tho House Of Representatives
twice. in le50-5l, and in 1928, and
was elected over prominent men by the
largest msiorities ever given in the
county. In his own district, with four
opponents, all strong msn, and two Of
them living ip the same civil district, he
received All Vores ogt Of $50. He was
elected to the Senate this time OTer BJ.
Burton, ESQ and ex-senator Ham.
ilton by au overwhelming majority.
BE beat the FIRST at q primary
election over two to one, and tho
second at the regular election by 729
votes. When ne was elected to the
House Of Representatives in 1851, with
four strong men against him, including
slch men as Jordan B. Stokes and Dr..
McCork!e, the Eighteenth district Of
Wilson county eaYe him ll9 votes, when
there were only lis registered voters in
the district. lie is a man Of great per-
sonal poyqiaTity; his friends Will not
only vote for lin bet will 6ght for him
when necessary. As a popalsF oEstor
he has but few squalls IN the State. lie
has as uany Of Tie elements OF greatness
IS aug nan in the State, and would have
occupied e naeS larger space in the
public mind than be doss had it not
been that for mary years he has been
very hard Of hearing aud although he is
q man Of unloading will aud reckless
courage, be is uuassuming aud cbildiike
in his manners, and has a great con-
tempt for pretenders. he was an un.
compromising rebel in the late revolt
ton; he is o for union and harmony;
for burJing toe past and looking 10 the
future. He is a bold advocate Of the
rights aad Interests Of the ,oiling mil
liens. he is opposed 10 high interest
to the ten per cent. Law. He is in favor
Of low taxes and for compromising the
State debt; for curtAHipg the salaries o.
all the officers and bringing the State
government to a plain, economical basis.
Senator Thompson is a lawyer, and has
considerable reputation O. q criminal
lawyer. lie is well vtroed 10 paflia
mentery law be has On energy and al
industry that never tires, ard be viii
doubtless be Of erest service to bis con
stituents in this time Of embarrassment
He is a member Of the Judiciary and the
Finance, Ways and Means committees
: two OF greatest Importance 10 the Sen
ate. He has already introduced a mum
Der of very important bills.
The vote Of Wilson county at tie No
vember election vas IS follows: Tildep
|, 1854; Hayes, 1859; Porter, 2779; Thomas
4s3; Yardley, 1863; Nancy, 29l. David
, son couny-Tilden, 1862; Hayes, 5447
r Porter, 1889; Thomas, 1882; Yardley, 40
-o---
There is a sudden fancy for restorinl
the gilt and silver brsids Of last seasol
for felt bats. The nreifiest hava MD.