The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-07-16


S. Thompson is 4 native of Greenville
County is 30 years Of age. lie is grand
soa of Chancellor Waddy Thompson, who
for about twenty-five years, was one Of the
Court of Equity of South Carolina, and is
a nephew of Gen. Waddy Thompson, who
for long time was member of Congress
from South Carolina and afterwards minis
ter to Mexico during the Administration
Of President Harrison.
Mr. Thompson was graduated at the Mill
tary Academy of the State at the close Of
1886. A. year after his graduation he was
elected by the board of visitors assistant
professor in the Arsenal Academy at
Columbia, and rose by regular promotion to
the rank of captain, having filled the pro-
tcssorships Of French and Bellies Lcttrcs.
During the most of the war he was stationed
in Charleston, and did duty with the corps
OF Cadets i'll dcteucc Of the city, and at
different points in the States. The Cadets
under his command regarded him with
great affection aud confidence both as Il pro
tcssor 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 a very low condition, he raised it
to 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
no: l candidate for office, and he did not
even know that his namo had been thought
Of for the position. lie was unanimously
rcnomlnatcd in 1873, and again uuani-
mously in 1880, aud would certainly have
been rcnomiuated without opposition iCr a
fourth term by the State Democratic Con-
ventiou Of 1882 Had he not been nomi-
mated for Governor, he would have been
nominated again as superintendent: of cdu-
cation, and could have been elected prcs-
dent Of the South Carolina University, at
the meeting of the board of trustees in
August, 1882. When he took charge of
the public school system Of the State it was
in great confusion and heavily in debt.
Under his administration great reforms
were instituted, and the public school sys-
tenn of South Carolina is now rapidly
reaching Il high state Of efficiency.
Mr.. Thompson did not seek Tic nomi
nation for governor in 1882 it was well
known that he did not desire the nomina
ton, and this fact was plainly stated upon
the floor of the Convention by Mr.. +. B
Murray, Of Anderson, but the popular de
mand for his services could not be resisted
When Mr.. w. j.. Maullin, of Grccnvill,
proposed his name, aud insisted that there
was no other man in the State who could
carry the party through to 4 triumphant
victory, it WIS like shock from al electric
battery. The scene in the convention was
thrilling in tho extreme, and the nomina-
| tion was confined with a unanimity as flat
tcriug to Governor Thompson as it was in
dica,iYc Of the sound judgment Of the con
vcntiou. In the campaign of 1882 Gov
crnor Thompson made an exceptionally
brilliant canvass Of the State. from tn,
blue mountains to the blue sea, gaining
every where in popular favor, and was
elected by 4 tremendous majority. Ills ad-
ministration during the past four years ha:
been characterized by excellent judgment
The State has continued to prosper in all hcl
industrial and material resources the public
credit has been maintained, the laws hav,
bccn administered with justice and equity
the public schools have tlou:iShcd, the
races have lived together in perfect peace
and feeling Of personal security and pub
lie safety has prevailed during an admin
stration which will be no able in the his
tory Of the State for the equal satisfaction
it has afforded to all t.c people without re-
gard to party or section.
when the State Democratic Convention
met in June, 1881, Governor Thompson
was rcnominatcd, together with all his as
sociltcs on the State ticket, without oppo
sition. lie went into the Governors 5 ollic,
for the second time possessing the cntir,
confidence of the people. and has discharg
cd the important and cnorou5 duties Of hi
| high official station with eminent ability and
satisfaction to the people oi the entire