The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1880-09-15
Hon. James 4. Mckenzie.

Mr.. James w. Allison, of the Evans
willie Journal, who was at Sebrec City,
publishes an interesting account of the
Congressional convention. We copy
the following paragraph written by him
concerning our distinguished Reprcsen-
tative:
James \. Mckenzie is in the prime
of Il vigorous manhood. He was born
in Christian county, Ky, near his pres
ent place of residence, August !, 1910.
He is, therefore, in his list year. He
was educated at Center College, Dan
vile, hut did not graduate. At the
breaking ont of the war Mr.. Mckenzie
was reading law in small town i'm
Texas, whittier he had gone To locate.
He enlisted in the Confederate army
there. AT the close of the war Mr.. Ne.
Kenzie again took up his residence in
Kentucky, and in 1861 was elected the
Democratic representative from Chris
tian county To the State Legislature
He continued Il member of that body
until the year 1871 serving upon several
of the most important committees of
the House. The brilliant record he
made a. a speaker in the debates of the
House caused him to be selected in 1872
an elector on the Greeley ticket for the
State at large. His speeches delivered
during the campaign We're remarkable
for superior literary form and dictiOn
at once finished and forceful. In 1876
Mr.. Mckenzie made his first race for
Congress. His opponent was Hon. l..
A. Spalding, of Morganiield, an able
lawyer and an estimable man; but Me
KcnZie won easily, carrying all but two
counties in the district. Two years later,
when he offered for rc-election; his
claims were contested 10y the Hon.
James +. Clay, of Henderson, Il man OF
winning, l0vable character, of the fin
est presence, and hardly eXcelled in the
State for popular oratory. The race,
which was reported at the time for the
Journal, was remarkable for the interest
taken in it on both sides, and il WAS
only after hard struggle that McKen-
zie won. While in Congress Mr.. Me
KenZie has distinguished himself hy
strict devotion to his people and his
party, and by Il prompt and faithful at
tendance on the business before that
body. He was member of the Com
mittees on Public Buildings and
Grounds, Of Public Lands, and of Rail-
ways and Canals. In person Mr.. Me
KenZie is highly attractive. He is fully
six feet two inches tall. and of 1.-THE and
graceful proportions. He has Il serene,
florid face, large blue eyes, easily lighted
up, and an actors gift in conveying
sentiments through facial changes and
expressions. He dresses neatly and eX-
hibits in appearance the unmiSta<abl,,
evidences of natural tiliness As IN
orator, Mr.. Mckenzie is fervid an en-
thu>ing; though he runs down the
gamut readily, and in the key of by
play and bandinagc lac performs with
happieSt effect. His illustrations are
enriched 10y wide and elegant reading
and the entire absence of anything
like dull, prosy Professionalism in his
speeches constitutes their great charm
with the masses. a man of quick OBJ
scrvations and applying his learning
readily, Mr.. Mckenzie has proiite,l
greatly 10y his experience at Washing
ton, and, naturally an orator, he now
exhibits his gifts polished and finished
10y studies of the best types of the day.
This will h. his third term in Congress.
When it shall have expired, that he
will then return To his people all the
stronger for his additional services to
them, Is all hut a certainty, and that
they will gladly further his aspirations
in amy higher field, us they may then
he reasonably declared, is nothing but
what may he safely counted ON from
those who in the past have been 81
quick and constant in recognizing bis
deserts