The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1891-05-13
OUR NEXT SENATOR.

Dennitt Hill Mays of Jefferson, upon
whose shoulders it seems the senatorial
| toga must fall, is remarkable man. He
is Of middle size, with heavy shoulders
well balanced head and strong frame. He
has broad thoughtful face, his eye is
large and bright, his heavy jaw shows
tenacity of purpose and strong will, his
lips indicate fulness Of language, his nose
is comma nding and his manner quiet.
he wears no beard, and the lines of his
face prove the difficulties he has met and
conquered. He has never been in public
life till this year, but has been absorbed In
the business of a successful planter, and
therefore he is little known throughout
the state, but those who know him best,
have sought him out, and Florida will not
loose sight of him again.
He was born on a farm in Madison
county in 1852. His father was prosper
Gus planter, who died in 1864 leaving a
widow, two sons and one daughter. who
soon saw their property swept away. The
young Dennitt was sent TO Savannah to
attend school and thence 10 the Washing.
ton Lee university at Lexington, Va. Here
he distinguished himself as lad of unus-
ual promise, but his collegiate course was
cut short by lack OF means A friend off
cred to lend him the money to finish his
course, but he refused to accept such q
debt, and returned to Florida at the age of
III.
He rented land and bought blind mule
on credit: and went to work in 1870. By
sheer business capacity in 1880 he had be-
come one Of the heaviest planters in his
equity, and owned more than one hundred
| mules. He married Miss Emmala Park
hill, daughter of Capt. G. w. Parkhill of
Leon county. and resides at Monticello.
AT the primaries in Jefferson in 1890 he
received very nearly the unanimous vote
of his party and is now filling his first
public Office in the halls of the legisla-
ture.
Certainly Dennitt H. Mays is no politi-
clan. Certainly no collision with mo-
nopolist or corporationist can be laid at
his door. Most certainly he is both fit
and capable. He is farmer, one of the
Alliance, man of the people, incorrupti
BILE and just, If the 81 members of the
| Alliance i'll the Legislature cannot concen-
trate their full strength on Dennitt H.
Mays they are welded to idols too tainted
| for the pure faith.
His home paper, the Constitution has
this to say Of the candidate who is the
coming man:
The cho'ce Of the Alliance could not
| nave ialleh on worthier man. Mr..
Mays ii Is the alliance idea, as we under
stand it, completely. He is brainy.
wlde-awake young farmer, with some of
the very best blood Of the south iii his
veins. He was born in the ADJOINING
county of Madison. His father, Rev.
Richard j. Mays, formerly Of South Car
ollila, was in his day one Of the veal hi
est and most prominent men in Florida.
though never politician. He is thor
| oughly identified with the Agricultural
interests Of the country, and comes-like
Cincinnatus Il fresh from the fields To
strong native intellect and a liberal ed
ucati"n, he adds the charm of genial man
ners and fine presence. His first taste
of political life is his recent election To
represent in part, his own county in the
house of representatives. 1t would be
something very unusual if Mr.. MAYS
should SO suddenly be exalted to the no.
sition of United States senator, but he
would bear that distinguished promo ION
with honor to himself and with credit tn
the fair fame Of Florida.