Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-10-28


senate are Hon. James NJ. Harris
and Esquire c. E. Smith.
Mr.. Harris is a native Of this ccun
ty. a sol of the late Judge Viii
liam R. Harris and nephew OF
Senator Isham G. Harris. " hen
a mere beardless youth he served
as a dashing rider under Cen
eral Forrest. After the war he nm
ished his education and graduated in
the law school at Lebanon. lie en-
tered at once upon the practice of his
profession, and has been identified
with it ever since. He succeeded in
a marked degree until failing health
compelled him to go to Texas for some
years until he recovered. When
barely Of age, in 1870, he was elected
to the legislature and served with dis
tinction. He took the first step to-
ward a final settlement of the state
debt upon a fair and equitable compro-
mise. OF late years he has not been
actively engaged in politics but al
ways takes a live interest in the sue
cess of his party. Possessing unques-
toned ability, i-tegrity and cool cOur-
age, he will admirably represent Shell
by county in the state senate, and will
have a commanding influence.
Esq. c. L. Smith. a native of An
son county, N. c., is about foIty-fve
years of age. He is from a solid
and once wealthy family who
lost everything by tho war.
He was a gallant soldier
and served throughout the wal as
captain of company &C." the color
company in the Fourteenth North
Carolina infantry, c. S. A. Twelve
years ago he anne to this county and
engaged in planting near Wbitehaven.
Three years ago he was elected justice
of the peace, and isyet a member o
the quarterly court. By his quiet
gentlemauly course, he has made host
of friends. No man is more highly es
teemed by all classes and parties. H'
might be termed an educated farmer
The agricultural, mechanical and mer
camille interests of the people can safe
~ be entrusted to his care. His gen.
tlemauly and self-possessed demeanol
would commend him to any company
and his sterling traits Of character ar,
apparent at a glance to the most easp
al observer. Esquire Smith will max
a pains. taking and useful member o
the senate.
Colonel NJ. D. l.. Stewart was Dor.
10 Madison county, Tennessee, an"
came to Memphis nearly thirty year.
ago with his fathers family, since
which time he has filled several hon.
orable and responsible Offices. II
1854, when but a boy, he waselected BIZ
the county court state aud county tax
collector, defeating l.C. Bleckley, Esq
always SO popular with his associate
justices. 10 1861 he was elected clerh
ofthe circuit court, and in 1860 rc,
elected but the war coming on ht
boxed up his records and, with the ale
Of his father, preserved the same dur
the war. When the war was over AM
the courts recognized 10 1865, he still
being clerk, (holding OVER b,
brought up his records aud continue
to act as clerk until the election il
1866, when he was again elected
and retired in 1870 to accept the
appointment Of clerk and master q
the second chancery court under the
lameDted chancellor, L. NJ. Yerger.
This Office he filled until his courI
was abolished in 1875, when he retir.
ed to the practice of law. He has al
ways been a stauneh democrat anC
enjoyed the confidence Of his party
freely giving to its promotion much o.
his time and money, but never re.
ceived an office at its hands. He.wa,
always successful when running or
his own merits and without a nomiua
ton. It was mainly due to his per
sonal exertions that the Odious rad
ical franchise laws were wiped from
our statute books he having pro
cured the removal of Williams anC
the appointment of John p. Boughnel
as register of Shelby county
This was the entering wedge
although Mr.. Boughner was perpetu.
ally enjoined by w. NJ. Smith, then
chancellor but now republican candi
date for the state senate, who wanted
to keep US bound hand and foot tha.
he and his kind might hold the offices
A republican supreme court peremp
tOrily reversed him and decided tina
the governor could remove and az
point registrars, whereupon Senter re
moved a great many narrow. minded
republicans and appointed liberal mer
in their stead. A democratic legisla.
ture was elected and we all know tn,
rest.
Some few now urge against Col
Stewart that he has held Office to-
long. 1t should be said. to his credit
that while ~discharging his official du
ties, to the entire satisfaction Of tn,
public, he has always made promp
and honest settlements, and not a wore
Of complaint can be made against him
A man with such a record cannot hol,
Office too long if the interests Of tn.
people is consulted. With his long
practical experience, coupled with hi