Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-07-14
JUDGE J. s. BLACK.
An OId.Time Jeffersonian Democrat,
Whose Infiexible Devotion to Party
and Principle Makes Him
A Shining Example for ALI Men-His
Home at ''Brockie," and His Sons
Home at "Wiilow Bridges"

| UOmlndttO Dy the DrmOcrals Iart week 10
, lIeutensnt-governor. The venerable sx judge
as the whole country knows, is an Inhexibl
Jefsrsonian Democrat, and when it is adde's
that he made his home here BY choice snC
not by force of circumstances, it viii. be IN
derstood that York is one of the banner
Democratic counties Of the State. This viii
account somewhat for the small support thu
county gave last year to Mr.. Wolfe when h'
ran Independent Republican candi
date for State treasurer. He received onlJ
223 votes to about 1000 given to Mr.. Baily
the regular Candidate. The counties ii
: which the Republicans are in minority
have always shown the least disposition t.
throw off the Cameron yoke. II has been By
the use of the Federal and State patronag,
in these counties, and the natural ipditfer
ence OF Republicans, who are in a hopeless
minority, that Mr.. Csmeroo has been able
TO perpetuate his control of the party ma
chinery in the State. The great strength Of
the Independent movement this year lies in
the large Republican counties, such as Phil
sdelphia, Allegheny, Tioga, Lancaster
Union and Venapgo.
THESE FACTS
will account for the change made by the
regular, or Cameron Republican, convention
| in the rules for the government of the party
| adopted by the peace conference in Philadel-
| phia. Those rules provided for representa-
| lion in future Republican conventions based
| upon the Republican vote in each county.
| Under Mr.. Cameron's orders this was Struck
out of the agreement, although the Democrats
have just adopted this wise plan for the
| election of delegates to their conventions
| hereafter. 1t would seem from the talk OF
the Independent Republicans here that this
| change in the rules is likely to prove a
mbling-block to any agreement for new
| convention. Mai r II. S. McNair editor of
the York Republican, which is the leading
Republican paper in the county, was one OF
the delegates to the independent Republican
convention held in Philadelphia, and his
| newspaper supports the Stewart ticket. He
| szys tina. no plan for a new convention will
| be satisfactory to the Independent Repub-
licans unless held under the rules adopted
| by the joint committees, which met in Phila-
| delphia in May. That was fair agreement
| which, he says, the Independent Repu bIicans
| will always stand ready to carry out, but
| they will not listen TO propositions for sur
| render made upon terms of Mr.. Cameron's
| own choosing.
Mr.. CAMERON
was here in attendance upon private ban
quet last Thursday night, returning to
Washington on Friday. The impression that
he left upon his friends here was that OF
alarm over the nomination of Pattison for
governor and the prospects OF Beavers de-
feat. His "toothache" experience in Phila-
delphia evidently taught him q lesson. AL
though attending a dinner here, at VIII ich
wines were served freely, he neither drank
anything intoxicating uor smoked. He said
that, although fond of wine and cigars, he
found it difficult 10 partake in such modera-
ton az was best for his health; hence he bad
eschewed them altogether for the present,
and that when at home he retired early ana
arose in the morning at o'clock and look
long walk. He said further that though
ne had never been across the Atlantic
and desired very much to go he could not gel
away this year on account OF mis- indie
pendent friends." Persons acquainted with
Mr.. Cameron and his HABITS oil life will have
no difficulty in apprecIating the great state
OF alarm ne must be in to have wrought such
a change. Major McNsir and other leading
Republicans here who supported the regular
ticket last year estimate the Independent
strength in this county at not less than 20UO
votes, which is about one-quarter OF the fuIl
Republican vote in presidential years. The
Stalwarts think this estimate too large by
one-half. Among the old-lime Repub leans
here who are supporting the Stewart ticket
are such men is Horace Bonham, a capital
isl; d.. Meisenhel,er, prominent physi
clan, and Robert Barnitz, u merchant. The
Itto1t"e correspondent visited
Elk JUDGE BLACK AT HIS BEAUTIFUL FARM OF
"BRoCKIE,"
which slopes up to the crest of the hill on
the ridge south west Of the town. His house,
about haif way up the hillside, is a stately
modern mansion, with tower overlooking
the valley and the town oil York away TO the
blue hills beyond, and commanding a mag
nihcent view. Alter his retirement from
President Buchanan's cabinet, Judge Black
was appointed reporter OF the United States
Supreme Court; but, after issuing two vol
uunes OF reports, he resigned 10 attend to his
extensive and increasing law practice. He
then selected York as place OF residence,
because central 10 the four points OF his chief
professional interestingly York, Philade
phIa, ashIngton and Harrisburg. He is
now seventy-two years OF age, wealthy
and indepc ndent; and as he started
lie on a farm he has returned To
mis- FIRST love. He reveIs in 'Brockie,"
and he has another farm in Msrylan
and the "Patchwork" place in Franklin
county, formerly owned. by President
Buchanan. The judge has no law partner
ship and no office, except in his splendid
library here at home. He refuses many
offers of retainers, and at times he will not
even open his letters for a month, les. it may
call him away from home. In front of his
house is handsome grove OF the native
forest trees and fine large spring of water,
while choice fruit trees, grape-vInes, flower
and vegetable gardens and all the charms oil
country life make the place
DELIGHTFUL RETREAT.
Personally Judge Black ia nearly six feet
in hight, with shaggy gray eyebrows that In
repose give his features a sternness of ex-
preston which is quickly melted away in the |
humorous expression of his eyes, or as the |
amin alton of expression steals over his face, |
which has never worn a beard. He Is OF |
rudy, healthy complexion, strong bodily |
frame and erect carriage, and his careful |
habits of living and cheerful mind give |
promise of still many years OF life. In 1868, |
while going to Texas to argue railroad |
case, freight car bumped against the side |
Of the car in which he was riding and crushed |
his right hand, which was lying on an open |
window. The arm was saved from ampuia-
lion, but was never afterward useful; but in
a few weeks Mr. Black learned TO shave him
self with his left hand and to write clear,
backhand Mr.. Blacks wife, a
daughter of Chauncey Forward, whom he
married ffiyone years ago, still lives 10
grace his home. About the time he married
he also embraced the religious faith of the
Disciples of Christ, or Complexities, of
which Church he is still a member. Mr..
Blacks pen is hardly ever IDLE, and volume
Of his writings. edited by Ex- Senator Bucka-
lew, has been promised. Mr.. Black is
4 GREAT SOCIAL FAvoRITE,
and Is not only SOOu laiker, OUT, Wnat Is
more, a good listener. In the face of his
ieep-dyed Democracy he has numbered
among his warm personal friends such men
ls Garfield, Matt Carpenter, Blaine and
Ingersoll In conversation with the Tribune
Mr.. Black expressed the Ut
most confidence in Democratic victory in
Pennsy lvania this year, but, in any event, he
thought the Cameron reign was about over.
he entertsins strong views on the question
,f anti-monopoly, and believes the regula-
ion of corporate power to be one OF the
great questions for the immediate future.
Adjoining Judge Blacks farm is "Willow
Bridges the picturesque home of his son,
Cnauncey F. Black, journalist and lawyer
1y profession, who has just been compli-
nented by the Democracy with an almost
unanimous nomination for lieutenant gov
.rnor. He has never been a candidate for
flee until this year, and therefore his nom
nation was a cause of wonder to the old
politicians, who canuot understand the pres
mt reform crsz=" in this State. Mr.. Black,
ike his father, however, is great admirer
# Jefferson, and he originated the Jeffer-
oman Democratic associations that began
heir existence in 1880.
yhaaucey +. Black. ID Democratic Candf-
date for LieuIenant-G0vernOr OF