The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-07-11

very creditable examination IN law, ana
received an order admitting him to the
bar upon attaining his majority. March
s, 1871, an Act of tho Legislature was
approved empowering Edwards B. MUIR
ray to practice law in the Courts Of this
State. Thus it will be seen at the age OF
twenty he was admitted to the practice of
law and entered upon the duties of life.
After his admission to the bar he en-
tered into partnership with his father,
under the firm name Of Murray & Muir
raw. He studied his profession as he did
his school lessons, and always endeavored
to understand his cases. he gradually
rose in his profession to that prominence
that few lawyers attain. Those who
opposed him in Court will remember
with what ability and skill he managed
his cases. he truly represented his
client. So much 80 that his practice was
not confined to Anderson County. He
has repeatedly been in the United States
Court, and was for several years past IN
almost every case Of great Importance in
this and adjoining Counties. His last
important legal effort was in the case OF
j. Mimms Sullivan, as one Of Mr.. Sulli-
vans attorneys. 5sss.s;..gg.
Early In life Mr.. Murray began to take
an interest in politics. Even while at
The University of Virginia he watched
the drift Of political affairs. During 1873
and 1874 he studied closely the condition
sof our State, and being filled with love
and patriotism for the State, which was
then in the hands and under the control
OF carpet -baggers and negroes, he was
ever willing to make sacrifice Of his
individual interests for the good Of his
native State. Consequently, he took an
active part in the politics, both of the
State and County, from his return from
College. ss s9
During the struggle Of 1870, so memora-
BILE to most ofsour people, e. B. Murray
was an energetic and active factor. He
devoted all his powers to the Hampton
campaign, travelling day and night when
necessary to attend meetings and plead
for the cause of right. Whenever and
wherever he felt that he could serve his
State he never failed to go, and whatever
duty prompted he did with his whole
heart, even in politics. +.
In 1873 he was elected member Of the
Legislature Of this State. BIS services
/ = = -
as representative were 80 able and
satisfactory to his constituency that he
was reelected in 1880, and again e.elect-
ed in 1882 During this time be was q
real representative OF Anderson County.
He had the good Of the people at heart,
and often, as has ever been the case with
snch men, his people would doubt the
wisdom Of his course, but time almost
invariably demonstrated that he was
correct in his views. We would not be
understood as saying he made no mis-
takes, for It is human to err, and he was
human; hut few men have ever been
F able to overcome their mistakes and
errors with the: power and ease that he
did. Several incidents in tis life would
have relegated an ordinary man to the
past forever. but he with his wonderful
mental power and indomitable energy
rose above them all, and continually
went higher and higher in the scale Of
life, leaving his mistakes below him.
In 1885 Maj. Murray was elected sena-
stor from this County which position he
held until 1890. During his term as s tate
Senator he welded good influence in
tho affairs Of State, and gained q arep'lta-
sion all over The State as q wise and fsar-
less legislator. HE influence was sought
by theae who had any pet measure to
advocate before Che Senate. .. # q. {.
In 1890 Rial. Murray was candidate
for Congress from this District, but was
defeated, Hon. George Johnston securing
the nomination.
In 1892 he was q candidate for the posi-
tion Of delegate to the State Democratic
Convention on the Sheppard and Orr
ticket. In this he was. unsuccessful
through no fault of his. 1t was during
this campaign Of 1892, .that he was so
ontrageonsly treated by mob at Cedar
Grove, and yet it is known that he held
no malice against those who participated
in that outrage. he was q Conservative,
and never yielded a particle in his oppo-
;sition to the methods adopted by Mllman
and the false charges made by him
against the State and those who had been
in control Of affairs from 1876 to 1890. He
believed that the reform moVementS as
conducted, would result in harm &c the
State, and for that reas n he opposed it,
and in this matter. he never had occasion
to change his opinion.
Mai. Murray was for many years con-
nected with journalism in this County.
In 1873 his connection with journalism
began, as one Of the Editors and proprie-
tors of the Anderson CoNsERyAToR.
Later this paper was consolidated with
the Anderson IETELLIaERoEP, and Maj.
Murray was one Of the editors Of the
INrELLIaENcER for several years, until
he sold out his interest and devoted his
whole time to his profe ssion and politics.
AS journalist Maj. Murray had few
and his views were received
with decided consideration. He was a
very severe critic, as all will well remem-
bar who have ever been criticized by
him. Our people know the work he did,
and remember how they read with inter-
est his views on public questions. They
are still fresh in all our minds.
In 1865 he joined the Anderson Baptist
Church, Of which until his death he was
consistent member. For several years
prior to his death he had taken an active
interest in church work. He was one Of
the teachers in the Sunday School, having
q class of young and middle aged men.
His work in the Sunday School showed
study and preparation. He never came
to the class unprepared. In 1891 he was
chosen and ordained one Of the Deacons
of the First Baptist Church Of this place.
He kept posted OH the work and progress
of the Baptist denomination, and was
ever ready in that, as in other fields. to
speak out wherever duty demanded it.
He was strong advocate of higher
education. and kept we'll up on this