The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-07-07
biographical.

native OF Greenville county, and
is so yeais of age. He is grandson
OF Chancellor Waddy Thompson, who,
for about twenty-five Yeas, YVES one of
the Judges of the Court of Equity of
South Carolina, and is a nephew OF
Gen. Waddy Tho npson, who was for
a long time member of Congress from
South Carolina. and afterwards Minis
ter to Mexico during the adminisra.
lion Of President Harrison.
Mr.. Thompson was graduated at the
Military Academy Of ibis State at the
close OF 1856. A year after his gradua-
ton he WIS elected by the Beard of
Visit ,rS ass slant professor in the Ar
senal Academy at Columbia, and rose
by regular promotion to the rank OF
captain, having filed the professor
ship OF French and Bellies Lettres.
During most OF the war he was STA
toned in Charleston, and did duty
with the corps of cadets in defense of
the city and at different points in the
State. The Cadets under his com.
mand regarded him with great affec.
ton and confidence, both as profess
sor and as an officer in the field.
After the war Mr.. Thompson was
elected principal of the Columbia Male
Academy, aud, taking charge of that
institution when it was in very low
condition, he raised it the front rank
OF classical schools in the State. In
the Democratic Convention OF 1876 he
was unanimously nominated for State
Superintendent of Education, though
not candidate for office, and he did
not even know that his name had been
thought OF for the position. He was
unanimously renominated in 1878,
and again unanimously in 1880, and
would certainly have been renominat-
ed without opposition for a fourth
term by the State Dem cratic Conven-
ton OF 1882. Had he not been nomin-
ated for Governor, he would have been
nominated again as superintendent
OF Education, and could have been
elected president of the South Caro-.
lima University, at the meeting Of the
Board OF Trustees in August, 1882.
When he took charge of the public
school system of the State 1t was in
great confu ;ion and heavily in debt.
Under his administration great re-
forms were instituted, aud the public
school system of South Carolina is
now rapidly reaching high state of
efficiency.
Mr.. Thompson did not seek,,the nom-
ination for Governor in 1882; it was
we'll known that he did NOT desire the
nomination, and this fact was plainly
stated upon the floor of the conven-
vention by Mr.. + B. Murray, of An
der5on, but the popular demand for
his services could not be resisted.
When Mr.. w. l.. Mauld.n, OF G;esn-
vile, propc sed his name, and insisted
that there was no other man in the
State who could carry the party
through to a triumphant victory, 1t
was like shock from an electric bat
tsry. The scene in the convention
was thrilling in the extreme, and the
nomination was confirmed with a
unanimity as fiat ering to Gov. Thomp-
son as il wss indicative OF the SQUAD
Judgment of the convention. In the
campaign OF 1882 Gov. Thompson
made aa exceptionally brilliant cam
vass Of the State, 'from the blue noun
tains TO the blue ssa," gaining every
where in popular favor, and was elect
ed by tremendous majority. His
administration during the past four
years, has been characterized by ex-
celent judgment. The State has
continued to prosper in her industrial
and material resources, the public
credit has been maintained, the laws
have been administered with justice
and equity, the public schools have
foutished the races have lived to-
gether ia perfect peaca and a feeling
OF personal security and public safety
hes prevailed during an administra-
ton which will be notable in the his
tory Of the State for the equal salts.
faction it has afforded to all the people
without regard to party or section.
When the Stats Democratic Con-
ventiou met in June, 1884, Gov.
Thompson was renominated, together
with all bis associates on the State
ticket, without opposition. He went
into the Governors Office for the
second time possessing the entire
confidence of the people, and has dis.
charged the important and onerous
duties Of his high official station with
eminent ability and satisfaction to the
people OF the entire State.
Since his entrance upon public life
Gov. Thompson's career has been re.
markedly successful. At the time oil
his first nomination for Governor oil
the State, which was made without
his knowledge and against his wishes,
he had already filled the Office of State
Superintendent OF Education for six
wears, and had before him the Ger
tainty Of denomination for a fourth
term in this important office. HI
had also been offered the position o.
superintendent of the Citadel Acad
emy, with which institution he wa
connected during the war He haC
at the same time been offered thI
presidency Of the South Carolina Col
iege. Either of these positions wa
within his grasp when he was nomi
mated for Governor, as already stated
without his knowledge and agains
his wishes.
When the State Democratic Conven
ton met in 1884 he was unanimously
and spontaneously renominated To-
the office whose duties he had DIS
charged with singular fairness anC
ability. During his second term il
the office OF Governor he has been in
vited to become a candidate for Gen
eral Agent Of the Peabody Educations
Fund, as the successor OF DR.. J. L. N
Curry, now Minister TO Spain, and ha
also been rendered two other import
, ant positions under the United State
, government, besides the Office Of As
, sis,ant Secretary Of the Treasury, whic
he has now accepted.
, PENSION RILLS VETOED.