The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-13
LIKE A ROMANCE.
Career of Senator Berry, Told by Judge
Thompson, OF Little Rock.

Career OF Senator Berry, Tod by Judge
Thompson, OF Little Rock
Prom the IT, Louis Republic
The general manager Of the Batcsvillc Il
Brinklcy Railroad, Judge William J.
Thompson, Of Little Rock, Ark, Is in the
city ON business connected with his line.
A reporter currallcd him In the laclclc
rotunda last night,an in response TO qucs-
tons on the political situation down there,
lac gave up a. follows:
"All opposition to the reelection Of Mr..
Berry to the United States Senate has died
out, and he will, without doubt, be his
own successor. There was talk Of Gov.
Hughes, but lac never stood any chance
ut all from the start against Bruy's pupu-
lnrity, which has made him suCccssiyyly
Representative, Judge, Governor and Sen.
alur Bcrry's history reads like TO.
nance. lie was born in Mississippi, |
think, and at the age Of sixteen enlisted
In the Confederate army, an ignorant
country boy, with neither education nor
fortune nor polish. lie lett leg ut shiloh
aud after the Wargeitlcd at Ozark, Franklin
County, where lac went 30 school, working
nights and mornings lor his board After
ward lac moved 10 Carroll County, bccDm-
ing a school teacher, aud whom he had
saved money enough he furnished house
aud. writing Ia OHtk, invited one Of the
loyolicst ana most accomplished bellies in
the place 10 como and share H. She wac
willing but her parents would not listen
to such thing Berry Then, ior the first
time, showed TINT indomitlblc pluck that
has since overcome all obstacles. llo
closed his school, crossed the mountain
aud by aid IT friend aud ladder stole
his lady.lOyc from second story window
They Wcro married aud shortly aitcrNlfd
the young pcdugoguc was elected 10 the
Legislature, but the old man whose
daughter lac had won after the style oi
middlc.agc chiyalry could not forgive him.
For years, however, Bcrys wife aud
children were annual visitors ut the Ozark
homestead, because hc insisted on u,
though the doors were closed to himself
lilo came ont Of the State Legislature q
lawyer, aud good one, too. When
his constituents elevated him 90 the
circuit juigcship, his inthcr-in-law often
Inferred 10 him ~ my HJn-in-lnw, Judge
Berry, but never spoke 90 him. In 1852
the great Northwest brought Berry out
Tor Governor, aud lac was nominated by
acclamatiOn and elected by 5000 ma
jority. II must have been a proud aud
happy DAY ior the Judge when his WHO'S
father wrote 10 him. MY daughter WI, a
better Judge Ut men than l. forgive me,
aud during your administration whenever
you want To slip away from tho capital a.
enjoy q bficl respite from tie Carus vi state,
do not invite hut beg you 10 make my
country house your home Mr. Berry D.
now near thc close Of his tint term Ia thC
United States Senate, having been elected
four ycan ago 10 llll the uncXpircd term Ui
Senator Garland, and, the Aitomcy-ucn.
cml excepted, is head aud shoulder
above any man in Arkansas, both la point
Of intellect and popularity
els there any probability that the lrgis'
lniufe will change thc election law oi Az.
Kansas judge Thompson was asked.
"No, nov, that Mr. Harrison has been
elected. there Is not. Tho State aud
national elections will b. held on different
DAYS, ~ heretofore. II ~ bad enough To
have our congressional and presidential
elections under the heel Of Federal super
yisofs, without throwing our state ballot
box into their clutches. Thcpvscnt Cow
cfnor lllughDs), who goes out on the lith
inst. Wa once committed to tho policy ol
consolidation, but the action Of the Eopub.
licnns since the defeat Of Clayton by Bfcck-
inndgc VA the Second Congressional Dis
tuct las convinced him Of his error"
"What about tho race problom2"
"Tho Republicans Of the South are. Of
cour-c. opposed 10 an educational qualiil-
cation Tor voters aud the Democrats look
upon anything that curiails universal sui
iIagr No. nycrso 10 our institutions. ! do
not think anything will be done In the
direction Of a restricted ballot