The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1888-08-23

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state and personal following which gives
him position in the very foremost rank
of the coming men of Georgia.
A thorough &c organ in every sense of
the word, the story of his success carries
moral to every Georgia boy and teaches
lesson which once mastered is invariably
rewarded
The lesson determination the re-
ward-success.
This sketch is prompted by the almost
certain prospect that Steve Clay will be the
next speaker of the Georgia house of rep.
resentatives. SO certain does this appear
that it can scarcely be judged premature
to introduce him to the people of Georgia
as such. Everybody who knows anything
about it says so. Most of those men who
have served with him in the house are as
hard at work in his behalf as if it were
their own race and it will be rare excep-
ton if the vote of any old member who
has served with him, is not recorded in his
favor. Indeed, as yet he has IA clear field,
with the probability of no opposition.
Alexander Stephens Clay was born in
Cobb county on the 18th of September
1858, on the farm of his father, w j. Clay
and on the paternal farm he remained un
til seventeen years of age" Thus begins
sketch published among number 0
: others in legislative biographical collec
ton Six months schooling al Palmett,
in 1869 was his first experience in thu
school room, though his mother who was
very bright woman, had given him an ele
, mentary education at the freside. Hi
father was poor and had four other chill
dren, and the seventeen year old boy al
Palmetto returned home where he was
needed He taught school three month:
during the summer and worked in an At
lanta grocery store for the remainder Of
the year. saving enough to return to school
to Palmetto for six months in 1870. He
taught again during the summer of that
year. and devoted the rest of the year to
hard work on the farm"
Ali of this comes out of the aforesaid BIZ
ographical sketch, which continues until
its subject occupies seat for second
term in the legislature from Cobb county
A gentleman well acquainted with Mr.
Clay continues the story with additional
interest showing the remarkable energy
in conversation with Constitution man
81 have been intimately associated with
Steve Clay ever since he came to Marietta,
and knew him well as boy He has al
ways been wonderful worker and he
owes his success greatly to his untiring
efforts. The manner in which he got an ed
ucation instances this When he returned
to his father farm from Palmetto he had
determined upon getting collegiate edu-
cation, and get it he did. In one season
he made eight bales Of cotton of his own,
and having taught school in the summer,
made three hundred dollars with which he
went to Hiwassee college, East Tennessee,
staying three years and teaching in the
summer to assist in paying expenses.
SO limited were his means and so great
his determination, that to make both ends
meet, he did his own cooking during most
of his college course. Returning home he
again taught school in 76 and II, reading
law at night, and afterwards studying I'M
der the late Judge David Irwin, of Mariet-
ia He was admitted to the bar in 1871. in
Marietta, and launched his career as law
yer
The remainder of the story Clay tells
himself, though with no thought that il
would find its way to the press.
More than a year ago a group of the
younger lawyers of the last house were re-
counting their experiences at the bar, and
among other things he stated that his first
years practice paid him only $ll2 and
his second $4l8. And now said he,
with characteristic modesty, II manage to
hold my own fairly we'll
Every one who knows him likes Steve
Clay, and in Cobb county he is the special
pet of every militia district He was first
nominated for the legislature in 1884 re.
nominated two years later, leading his
! ticket both times by q heavy majority al
August, this month, received every vote
OF tne county uemocfatlc convention lor 9
third term For two terms he has been 8
recognized leader of the house.
He is an excellent parlimentarian, {
man of wonderfully pleasing manners, ha'
clear, ringing voice, and is thoroughly
5 familiar with the details of the Legislative,
procedure.
He married in 1880 Miss Fannie White
t of Douglasville, and two bright boys bles
the union. He has accumulated consider
able property, and has lucrative incom,
out Of his practice. Atlanta Constitution