The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1890-02-06
COL. J. W. ROBERTSON
SUCCEEDS MAJOR WALLACE AS
RAILROAD COMMISSIONER.

| Major Campbell Wallace, who has been
a member of the Railroad Commission
since its organization, on the 22nd of Jan.
uary rendered his resignation to Governor
Gordon, to take effect January 3lst 1890.
Governor Gordon accepted, and imme
diately appointed and commissioned Col
James w. Robertson, the President of the
Porter Wooden Mills at GAINESVILLE, Haber.
sham county.
! 1t is to be regretted that old age has de.
prived the State of the valuable services of
Major Wallace, but it is indeed fortunate
and gratifying that his successor is Col.
James W. Robertson, who is so eminently
qualified for the responsible duties of that
important Office. His intellectual endow-
ments, culture and sense of justice and
sound judgment, place him in the front
rank of Georgia's noble and gifted sons, In
whom the rights of the people will be
carefully guarded and impartially upheld.
Col. Robertson was for a long time citi-
zen of Marietta, and his host of friends
here, as well as throughout the State, will
be glad of his appointment With Col. L.
N. Trammell, of Marietta, and Judge
Erwin, of Athens, the Commission may
be considered the best that could be form
ed. The material is the best in Georgia
and satisfactory to the people.
| The Atlanta Constitution gives this brief
sketch of Col Robertson:
Col. Robertson is thoroughly qualified
for the position to which he has been ap-
pointed He is native of Augusta, be-
cause his father, who was one OF the en-.
gineers who constructed the South Carroll
ma railroad, was stationed there at the
time of his birth. He followed in his
fathers footsteps, and he, too, is a civil
engineer by profession.
He was for years prominent citizen OF
Georgia. and has, in pursuing his profes.
sion been engaged in different parts of the
State. He was once commander of cadets
at the Georgia Military institute, at Mariet
ia, when this institution was in great pros.
perlCy just DeIOre Inc war
He was engaged on the Western and
Atlantic railroad during Major Wallace
administration and when Governor Smith
had to take charge of the old Macon and
Brunswick on account of default in its
bond, which the state had endorsed, Col
Robertson was placed in charge of the
|
success. He was leading member of the
constitutional convention that framed the
constitution in 1877 and represented Cobb
county, where he then resided. While he
was still living in Cobb county he was
nominated by the democratic convention
OF the old seventh districs tor congress At
that time he was president and general
manager of the Roswell cotton mills, and
he declined the nomination because he was
not able to leave his business, the stock
holders of his company using every effort
to retain him. He was, however, staunch
leader of the democracy, and took promi
nent part in the exciting campaigns dur
ing the time that Dr. FELTON, represented
the seventh district.
Col. Robertson has been spoken of as
possible candidate for congress, in the
ninth district, where he now lives, his
home being in Habersham county. His
name was prominently mentioned as a
member of the first commission, and Maj.
Wallace often asserted that Col Robertson
understood railroad matters better than
any man in Georgia He is comfortably
situated now as manager of a large wooden
factory in Habersham county, and by his
skillful management has made it quite a
paying institution. Col Robertson is
6fty-nine years of age, Of commanding ap-
pearance, fine judgment, good sense and
great frmness.
His manners are those of a courtly gen.
tleman of the old school, and the members
of the commission are delighted at the
prospect of having him with them.