The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-04
GEORGE JoHNsTONE FOR CONGRESS.
A Reform Newspaper Enth usiastically Ad-
vctstes His Reelection.

iGreenville Evening Democat, Aprii29.J
The Hon. George Johnstone, of New
berry, is the son Of the late lamenteG
Chancellor Job Johnstone, who was
one of the wisest, purest and ablest OF
the many eminent jurists that ever
adorned the bench Of South Carolina.
Chancellor Johnstone was also man
of . fortune. "George," as ne IS ia
miliarly called, is possessed OF re-
markably fine native intellect, when
he has cultivated as broadly and deeply
as unlimited means, indomitabie en-
ergy and tireless perseverance would
permit. He is to-day concededly one
ofthe most talented, learned and cul-
tured men in the State. He was born
where be now lives-and where his
honored sire before him led his long,
useful and eventful life-on the 18th
day Of April, 1916, and therefore is just
, forty-six years of age. He received his
early education in the schools OF his
native town, and entered the State
Military Academy from which he en-
listed in the Confederate army as
member of the Battalion Of State Ca
6ets and served till the close of the war.
From 1866 to 1869 he was student in
the University of Edinburgh, Scotland,
and returned to his native Town, read
law and was admitted to the bar IN
1871. since which time he has contin-
ued in active practice and is now at the
head of his profession. Though raised
in afiuence, he is emphatically Peo-
ple's Man. He loves the people and
they love him. This caused him to
embark in politics. In 1874, during
the dark days of negro and carpet bag
misrule, his people rendered nim the
nomination for representative OF New
berry County, out there being such an
overwhelming black majority in the
county aud, hence, seeing no chance
of election, he declined the profered
honor. But when the "Wallace
House" gained the ascendant and e3-
PEELED the members from Newberry-
who were negroes-in 1877, on the
ground of frauds in the election, there
IL was that he was elected to the
LEGISLATURE and erred as member
os the House Committee on corpora
tions from 1878 to 1880. In 1881, he
served as member of the commission
created by act of the Legislature which
revised the tax laws and to suggest
amendments to the State constitution;
during his active service in the Legls-
1atuFs he~xas member of the COM
uoittee on ways and means, and from
1880 to 1884 he was member OF the
State Executive Committee. In 1857,
he was, among divers Others, candl-
date for speaker of the House, receiving
the next highest vote to Hon. James
S;mons. who overcome him by small
majority.
In 1886 he was q candidate for Con-
press before the primary election with
four others when be received the next
highest vote TO Judge Cothran, who
was successful. In 1890, upon the re-
tjreuent Of the last named gentleman,
he was again candidate when he de-
feated the Hon. w. G. Benet, Maj. E.
B. Murray, Coils. D. K. Norris and 4.
E. Bowen, achieving most signal
victory against the most fearfu! odds
living in the extreme lower end of the
District, in county possessing by far
q smaller white vote than any OF the
others.
Col. Johnstone is man of ambition,
iaudable ambition. In this there are
no objections. Gov. Perry was want
to say: "All great men are ambitious"
This, upon the idea that, in order to
achieve greatness, it is essential that
you have ambition. This is literally
correct. Again there is much in a
mans having an idea in life-an hon.
orable ambition which he desires to
crafty. Col. Johnstone was heard re-
mark over a decade ago that when ne
Quilted school he started to Congress!
Who can doubt but what this enabled
him, in great measure, to attain his
ends?
Congress is very large and un-
wieldy body. There are now 356 mem
bers of the lower House and it takes 8
new member, and who is active and
enterprising at that, at least one term
to familiarize himself with the rules
and methods of procedure and the
workings of the various departments
in Washington to adequately represent
his constituents. Hence, the reason 0!
that unyritten law that entitled q
member to q second election without
opposition. The simple truth is that 8
Congressman's labors and duties are
so arduous and multifarious that Pig
Iron Kelly, who served in that body
for over quarter of a century, was moi
far wrong when he asserted that serv
ing in Congress may properly be termed
a business-an avocation-that cannot
be properly mastered by the lucubra
tions of four years! Colonel Johnstone
is unquestionably the ablest man il
bis district, and is in full touch anG
sympathy with the farmers move
ment, enjoys an experience thas NJ
other man IN the district does, and w
do think tha: our friends in the ThirG
District owe it to themselves. no less
than to George Johnstone, and ta ths
whole State as well, to return him Il
Congress this year without opposition
sFhis is consummatIon devoutly t,
be wished" Aud, what is more, n,