The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-07-03

Gen. Alexander Robert Lawton was
born in st. Peters parish, Beaufort dis
trict, South Carolina, Nov. T. 1915. His
grandfather was an officer in the conu-
mental army, and his father was a plant
er. His youth was spent on the planta-
ton, and his early education was acquired
at private schools In the district sup
ported by the wealthy planters, for the
instruction Of their children. At sixteen
young LaWton was appointed a cadet a
West Point. He graduated in 1889, with
the rank of second lieutenant, and was
assigned to the First United States artii-
lery, and was stationed at various points
IN the north and east along the Canadian
borders. In the class of thirty-one with
which he graduated, were Gems. HallecK,
Candy, Burton, Gilmer Stevens ana
Hunt. Resignng his commission in the
army IN 1884, after two years of service,
Lieut.. Lawton entered the Dane Law
School, at Cambridge, Mass, and gradu-
ated In 1872. Returning south, he speat
six months in law studies at home, and
after a thorough examination before the
court Of appeals of South Carolina was
admitted to the bar. A year later, In 1913,
he came to Savannah and began the prac-
tice Of the profession which he continued
for over half a century.
Gen. Lawton was married IN November
1S45, to Miss Sarah II. Alexander, daugh-
ter OF Adam l.. Alexander Esq, and q
sister of Gen. E. p. Alexander, who sur
wives him.
Without in any way laying aside his
professional duties, Gen. Lawton, in 1S49
accepted the presidency of the Augusta
and Savannah railroad and was closely
identified with the location and construc-
ton Of the road.
Gen. Lawtons entry into political life
was as representative from Chatham
county in the state legislature. in the ses-
sion OF 1866 S. Among other important
services during his term as representative,
was his framing, introduction and sue
cessful support of the bill which culmina-
ted in the Incorporation of the Atlantic
poi
days of excitement, which rendered the
winter Of 1s60-61 memorable in the history
of Georgia and of the entire south, Gen.
LawtOn was a member of the state Senate.
and many times met in debate Benjamin
II. Hill. who was then the acknowledged
leader of the opposition to the secession
sentiment. While absent from the state,
Gen. Lawton was again call
IN the House of Representatives
.n 1674-'75. He was vice president Of
the convention which, in 1877, framed the
present constitution of Georgia, and was
chairman Of the judiciary committee. He
was president of the electoral college in
1876 and cast the vote of Georgia for Sam
uel j. Tilden for President He was chair
man OF the Georgia delegation in the Gin
cinnau convention which nominated Gen
Hancock for President, and also of the
Georgia delegation at the Chicago conven-
tion which nominated President Cleve-
land
In 1885 Gen. Lawton was nominated bv
President Cleveland as minister to Rus
STA. Upon reference of the nomination TO
the Senate the claim was made that he
was ineligible by reason of the fact that
having in early life held commission in
the regular army he had during the war
between the states done service as an
officer in the confederate army No OBJ
lection was made 10 his confrmat ton. ex-
cept the technical objection which raised
doubt as to his legal eligibility under
The constitutional amendment. The dues-
ton was referred to the Attorney Gem
eral, who submitted the opinion that Mr.
laWton is qualified to hold civil Office
under the government of the United
States" Before the Attorney Generals
opinion had been communicated to Gen
LaWton, wishing TO relieve the President
or all embarrass he requested him 10
Withdraw mis- name and bestow the an
pomtment elsewhere, which the President
reluctantly did When congress .reassero
Died the following term the first private
act passed was that removing the pollt-
lcai DISABILITIES of Gen. Lawton 1t re-
celNed the unanimous vote OF both houses
Two years afterWard President Cleve-
land conferred upon him the mission to
austria Hungary. As minister plenjpo-
Iehtlaty 10 that power Gen I.awton con-
quoted himself and maintained Diplomatic
Ietdtlons with marked acceptabi both
70 the nome government and TO the Ans
iran court He represented the United
States al vienna for two years. His res
4shatlon OF the ministry was in the hands