The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-07-09
TENNESSEE POLITICIANS.
The Fortunes and Fates of Public Men
During the Past Ten Years
Written for the National Review.
BY ONE OF THE "RETlRED.

tires many of the older ones. There
is no business in which a mans for
tune is so tickle as in politics. The
man who leads the multitude to-
day may be sent into oblivion by
| tomorrow.
Brownlow rose to a high position
on a popular tide that had not
ebbed before he died. Senter sue
ceeded to the executive chair, and
after a stormy canvass was re-elect-
ed by an overwhelming majority,
defeating the more radical candi
date, Gen. w. B. Stokes. Though
living, both of these men have
passed into comparative obscurity,
and are enjoying the retirement of
age. Jno. G. Brown enjoyed a
season of popularity, but the
things which helped to make him
popular then would make his party
curse him now. He funded the
state debt at par, and thought it
right to pay it. He is gone from
politics now, and practices his pro
fessiOns in st. Louis, making prob
ably five times as much per year as
the governors salary in Tennessee.
James d Porter succeeded Brown,
and it is questionable whether any
governor in Tennessee ever held
the esteem of the people more
widely. Twice elected by immense
majorities, he disagreed with his
party during his second term, and
the sentiment of reputation retired
him; not, however until he had
brought still another man into
prominence, destined to become
known throughout the nation. /
refer to Judge D. NJ. Key, whom
Porter appointed to the United
States senate. Key was talked of
and written about all over the land,
and his brief senatorial career made
him Hayes pOstmastergeneral.
He took federal judgeship, and
is comparatively forgotten beyond
the borders of the state. Prior to
1878, Judge Marks was scarcely
known beyond the chancery di-
vision of which he was a capable
judge. The low-tax tide was
spreading rapidly over the state,
and he jumped on it. 1t made him
governor. His brilliant canvass
made him known and admired. He
served one term, and his admins
tratiOn was offensive to state credit
men. His retirement was enforced
and he is not any longer potential.
Governor Hawkins canVassed the
state in 1880, representing honest
and wise government policies. His
election gave him a very peculiar
prominence, which he richly en-
joyed for two years. But his de-
feat for reelection has placed him,
for the present, out of the public
notice.
Horace Maynard too has gone.
For many long years he was a pow
erful facter in Tennessee, and also
in the nation. Almost a quarter
century in congress, once minis
| ter, and then in the cabinet, made
him one of the best known charac-
tiers who ever lived in Tennessee.
But he is no more forever. Five
years ago Senator Jackson was a
quiet lawyer in a quiet town, I'M
| known to the outside world, but
| loved and admired at home. Elected
a member of the legislature, there
came a conflict, sharp and bitter,
| for the United States senators hip,
and he happened to be present at
the critical moment. Worthy in
every way Of the honor, it fell upon
him. Two years later he canvassed
the state for a principle which
could only find 4,5O0 supporters in
his party. To day he is probably
the most powerful man in the state
with the federal administration.
Porter, too, has risen by sheer per-
sonal worth to prominence again;
and from the political obscurity of
two years ago he has mounted to
one of the highest positions in the
nation.
Who ever thinks now of ex-Sen
tor Jas. E. Baily as living guam
tity? He is retired. Alas that
an honest, courageous man like he
is should be forced from a public
place. Four years ago he was an
issue; to-day he is the subject only
of memory. He ought TO be proud
of his retirement.
Poor old Savage! You can't
kill him-yOu can't hurt him
you can't get rid him. Like the
poor, he is always with us. Savage
is not treated justly. He is a gen
erous, frank, courageous man in
his line. He has laid the foundation
for many men to rise to prominence
on since the war. If he were any
one else than John H. Savage, 1
would say he is shelved But you
can't ever tell VIXEN he will "bob up
serenely from below" Atany rate,
he is temporarily retired. Scarcely
less long-lived and tenacious is
Col. Colyar. He is very different
man from Savage, but equally as
irrepressible. A man with a pow
erful intellectual organization, he
cad not be "downed." He has
played his part in many campaigns,
and age lends dignity, without tax
III LlS lAbCIAGCGQdL NlSOis ouO
he is not the Colyar he used to be.
If he goes down in his present fight
for supremacy, he is gone forever.
If he triumphs, the end Is not yet.
General Bate has fought long
and hard for his present position.
That is to say, his present position
is the result of a long and hard
fight for United States senator.
What will become of him? He
will try to go to the senate, but he
will never crafty that ambition,
Like Savage, Gov. Bate is not
appreciated as he deserves to be-
He is honest, frank and courageous
Isham G.. Harris has had a long
lease on public honor. This fact
lies in three causes: First, he is q
shrewd discerner of the temper Of
the people and a thorough dema-
gogue; second, he is loyal to his
friends; third, he knows how to