The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-02


to tho overthrow Of tho curpet- bag
ger and scalawag and negro govern,
mont in this State that did not ro
ceive his earnest support. 1t was
natural therefore to expect him to be
in tho front rank of the revolution
in 1876, that restored the State to
the whites. In 1877 no entered the
House as one of the Representatives
from Newberry. His argument
against tho recognition of tho State
bonds issued in fraud and against
the provisions Of tho State constitu.
tion SO impressed both sides of that
discussion that d special tribunal
known as the Court Of Claims was
organized to settle these voxcd oues-
tions. With spontaniety honora,
ble alike to tho members of tho Leg
islature and to Judge Pope, he was
elected by the Legislature, ovor tho
heads of many other distinguished
lawyers, one Of tho States counsel
before that court. The final labors
eliminated in-tho rejection OF moro
than ono and one-half millions of
dollars of such fraudulent bonds.
After this case ended, Judge Popo
returned to his practice in tho coun-
ties Of Newberry and Laurens. Tho
State Reports show that rs an uttor
ney he managed causes of impor.
tance and With success.
He was five times elected MAYOR
OF his native town, and mover receiv
ed dollar of salary for such Office.
From 1865 to July, 1868, he was tho
Judge Of the District Court Of New
berry, and such was his fairness and
ability that no appeal was ever tax
en- from one Of his decisions either as
mayor or District Judge.
In May, 1883, he was unanimous
ly elected temporary president and
also president Of the State convcn-
ton of the Democratic party of this
State, and in the samo year ho was
elected Senator from Newberry coun-
ty While in tho Senate, he was IN
earnest advocate for tho establish
ment Of the Clemson College. His
course while in tho Senate plainly
showed that he was in sympathy
with that portion of the Democratic
party which afterwards became
known as the Reform wing of that
party.
During tho year 1890 tho candid
ates for the State Offices appeared
before the people as avowcd candid
ates for such ol1iccs-B. II. Tillman
for Governor, Eugene b. Gary for
Lieutenant Governor, James T.. Tin
dial for Secretary Of State, William
II. Ellcrbo for Comptroller General,
Y. j. Pope for Attorney General,
Hugh L. Farley for Adjutant and
Inspector General, w. II. G. Bates
for State Treasuror, and w. d. May
field for Superintendent of Educa-
tion AS the result of tho campaign
each gentleman named was elected
to the Office he sought by an over
whelm.n ng majority. AS Attorney
General, Judge Pope boro himself
with conspicuous ability. 1t was dur
ing his term Of Office the famous case
of the State VS.. The Coosaw Phos-
phatc Company was brought; it's re-
suit is woll known.
On tho Bird day of December, 1891,
he was elected as Associate Justice
of the Supreme Court of this State.
Owing to the political excitement
incident to that period Of our his
tory, doubts were expressed as to
Judge Popc's ability to maintain
himself in this new sphere of labor,
but after few weeks and months
these doubts were removed, and his
friends made to rejoice that their
confidence had been justified. A
glance at him as he sits in open court
shows that he is indeed a Judge,
calm, courteous and attentive in
manner, quick in apprehension, hap
py and lucid in statement, firm and
tenacious in opinion. His life as 4
Judge seems to be based upon the
thought "this court is tho temple OF
justice" 1t is gratifying to the
whole people of the State to sec with
how much approval his decisions arc
rocoivo1 Outsi1o tho Sfofn Too1;no