Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-23

ANNAM NANN AN AANn%R- stNtNA W ANN
every honest effort 70 elect him speaker
Of the house of representatives. We
cordially second the effort and in do
ing so, give a few facts in the life of
Captain Mathes. He is the son Of
Rev. w. A. Mathes, of Jefferson
county. He had a strong desire TO
receive q liberal education, and was
heroically struggling to accomplish his
purpose when the war came on. Soon
after Che beginning Of the war, he vol
unteered, and was elected orderly SER
geant Of Capt Stephen Cookies com
pany, raised in this vicinity, At the
reorganization a year afterwards, he
was elected first lieutenant Some
time after that General W. b. Bate
appointed him one Of his staff officers,
in which capacity he served faithfully
and calamity until he was severely
wounded, near Atlanta, We believe.
At the close Of the war Captain
Mathes chose the profession of Jour
nalism, and o o took high rank as
editor. For years he has been editor
in chief of the Memphis Ledger. The
people of Memphis and Shelby county
have frequently honored him with
important trusts, all Of which he has
faithfully discharged. During the
last summer Governor Porter sp-
pointed him a commissioner to the
Paris Exposition. Soon after his re-
turn the pestilence swept over Mem
.phis. He felt it his duty TO remain
with the people whom he had chosen
as his people. He recovered from an
attack Of the fever, and did all he
could to alleviate the Sufierings of the
afflicted. His people honored him by
electing him to a position he so
worthily filled four years ago. 1t will
be a fitting recognition of merit and
ability to call him to preside over the
next house of representatives. His
intelligence, experience and worth fit
him most admirably for the position.
JAMES RoOSA Democrat
was born and reared in Hamilton
county, Ohio; received a common
school education, and at an early aye
was %apprenticed to learn the black
smith and wagon business. He served
his time faithfully, married when
young, and soon had a pleasant home
of his own. He held the office Of
township trustee, in Columbia town
ship, for nine years, a position of con-
siderable importance, which he filed
with credit. His first vote was cast
for Martin Van Buren,. and he has
voted the straight Democratic ticket
ever since, though never taking a
prominent part in politics, being a
strict business mar and a hard worker.
In 1886 he was in the National Demo
cratic Convention at Cincinnati which
nominated James Buchanan. and it
was only an accident that he was not
in the Charleston Convention which
played the mischief.
In 1864 Mr.. ROosa came to Mem
phis and formed a partnership with II.
James in the wagon and carriage bust
ness. Being master Of his trade and
business he was very successful and
built up a large business. In 1871 w.
l.. Graham was admitted as a member
of the firm, since known as James.
RoOsa & Graham, Southern Wagon
Factory. The firm is one of the
strongest, and the buildings on Jefer-
son street the most complete in the
South or West. Mr.. Roosa is one of
the leading business men and manu-
tacturers in Memphis. He has been
called on several times to represent
the people in the legislature. and a
year ago was urged to run for mayor.
He consented to run this time because
he is a low tax man and desires to
assist the State and city out of
trouble on a basis as right and
fair as possible. He is of the
opinion that the bonds held against
the State and city should be shaved
Just as real estate is deprecated. Mr..
Roosa is a man of good practical sense
and will make a useful member.
JAMES H. SMITH (Liberal Repub-
lican)
was born in Shelbyyille, KY; removed
to Memphis in 1857; was deputy
sheriff of this county before the war
during both terms of the late James
+. Felts since the war has been en-
gagged in the grocery, cotton and COM
mission business; represented the
Tenth ward of this city in the gen
eral council during the four years the
Hon. John johnson was mayor was
an active member Of the Howard As
ISOLATION during the epidemics of 1873
and 1878, and, as secretary, had per-
haps the most difficult and laborious
position to fill Of any member of the
organization, all receipts Of donations
and payments Of moneys being
made through him, in addi-
ton to the immense daily cor
r%espOndence is at present pre-
pairing for the press his report, show
ing the entire donations received and
the names of those who died; in poll
tics he has been, for the past eight
years, an independet and Conservative
Republican. He neither desired nor
sought the position Of representative
and knew nothing Of his nomination
until seeing it announced in the daily
papers a few days before the election.
In regard to the State and city in
debtedness will be guided in his
actions as a member of the legislature
by what he thinks will be for the best
interest of all concerned, but thinks
fifty cents ON the dollar and four per
cent. ought to be satisfactory to bond
holders.
j.. C. MAccABE (Democrat),
of Memphis, was elected hoater to re-
present Shelby and Fayette counties,
at the special election held on the Dist
of December to fill a vacancy caused
by the accident of DR.. Ramsey being
| elected to two seats at the November