Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-04

Interesting Information About Mr.. Hoke
smith and His Characterisfics.

ATLANTA, March 2-Mr. Hoke Smith is a
newcomer in national politics. He has never
held political Office even in his own state.
Georgia. But he is no unknown quantity in pub
lie affairs in the south. All his life he has been
too busy with private affairs to seek honors at
the hands of the people. A strong natural
taste for politics carried him into state cam
paigns by the time he reached his majority,
and at twenty-si1 he was a prominent figure
in the campaign which put little Alexander
II. Stephens in the gubernatorial chair.
Mr.. Smith is not Georgian by birth. but
came to that state from North Carolins in 1873
when he was eighteen years old. He had
taught school year or two and read law before
he changed his residence. In selecting his
future home he displayed that foresight which
has always stood him so well in the years that
have elapsed since. Atlanta then Just
emerging from the chrysalir of country town.
Everything aud everybody was new to the
place. Strangers were grasping the trade and
the professions. Atlanta had many OF the
elements of a wes.ern town. Brains, energy
and force of character counted for everything.
these young 81 it'll had. They came to him
by inheritance. his father being descendant
of the Puritans and his mother q daughter Of
the famous Hoke family Of North Carolina
The new secretary was named for his uncle,
the distinguished Gen. Michael Hoke, of the
confederate army.
YOUNG LAWYER.
Mr.. Smith was admitted to tine bar the first
year OF lis residence in Atlanta. He was only
Is then. Practice came slowly at first, but in
time the young attorney won the confidence Of
the people and he improved every advantage.
he was a lard student and grounded himself
thoroughly IL law. During the early years Of
his practice he lived simply and his appearance
was OF the rugged order. He was content to
live modestly. 1t is related OF him that some
OF his associates we're chatting him Que day be-
cause he did not patronlze a fashionable tailor.
Mr. Smith replied that the day would come
when they would hear of him. he was am-
bilious TO make Roadway in his profession He
cultivated the acquaintance of the people and
ne soon knew more citizens personally than
any other man in the city. He entered the
secret orders and attracted attention there by
MS ready speech and activity. He has a strik-
inS appearance and would attract attention
anywhere. His physique is sturdy and he
looks a leader of men. His associates naturally
acce ted his leadership and at the age OF
twen'y-one Hoke smith was regarded as one
OF the coming men OF the rapidly growing CITY,
HIS FIRST MARKED SUCCESS
at the bar was in conducting damage suit for
large sum, the plaintiff having been injured
IN another state. The case involved some in
tricate questions OF law and the bar of two
states watched it with interest Mr. Smith won
u over dist hguished counsel representing the
defendant corporation. His fee in this suit
gave hun start and the victory brought him a
rush OF patronage. 1t really made him. He
won case after case and the older LAWYERS saw
young smith cutting into their practice, but
there was no help for it Litiyants sought the
counsel OF the attorney who seemed invincibie
before jnries. Al the age Of rs he had prac-
tice which paid him q hansome income and
was second TO none at the Atlanta bar And
all this had come within two years.
A lavyer's reputation ID confined in o great