The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-03-14
THE NEWS AND OBSERVER, SUNDAY, MARCH IA, 1897.

this just measure and lead the fight for
Its passage without dotting an | or Cross
ing a I through both houses, thus max
ing friends forever of thousands of men
who every hour in the day risk their
lives in the interest of moving commerce
and travelling humanity. Nor was this
all that Hartness, of Iredell did in the
present legislature, his able support Of
every proposed law that to his mind was
beneficial to the people and his courage
Gus fight against unwise and undemO-
cratic statutes stamped him early in the
session as an answering friend and adj
vocate of the right and an uncompromis-
ing enemy to wrong doing ON the part
of the legislature. He took rank as one
of the wisest leaders Of the Democratic
minority. He speaks with ease and
power. He is a true Democrat, believing
in the principles of the party and an car
rying them out. He is brave, courageous
and upright Iredell has every cause
to feel proud of the reputation Mr.. Hart
ness made. He is the type Of legislator
the people love to honor.
Mr.. Hardness was born in Iredell
county, July 2Sth, 1868. He received his
education at the Statesvile High School
and read law with Major Harvey Bing-
ham, of Statesville, he received his IL
cense to practice at the February term of
the Supreme court in 1887, and began
the practice at Statesville in May of the
same year. At a primary election in 1893
in Statesville he received large major
ity OF the votes for postmaster of the
town. But the appointing power decided
not to consider the primary election and
another popular man of Statewide re
ceived the appointment Mr.. Hardness
became the owner and editor of the
Statesville Mascot in 1894. and under his
management, the paper has grown into
a journal OF considerable power and infu-
ence in that section
Mr.. Hardness was nominated for the
House by the Democrats of Iredell, and
was elected by a good majority, leading
his ticket and redeeming the county from
Rep-POp. domination to which 1T had
swung at the election in 1894.
/ Mr.. Hartness was married in 1888 to
Miss Jennie Henderson, Of Rowan coun-
ty. They live at Statesville, where their
friends are numbered by the inhabitants
OF the town.
JAMES HAMPTON M'KENZIE.
In one sense Mr.. James II. Mckenzie
is the father of the Democratic side of
the House. Not in age, to be sure, for
Mr.. Mckenzie is yet awhile young
man, but in continuous service. He was
elected to the House in 1892 again On
1894, and in 1896 Mr.. Mckenzie comes
from that old rock-ribbed Democratic
county, Rowan, and his repeated re-elec-
ton shows his popularity among his
sturdy Democratic constituents. Mr..
Mckenzie was born in Rowan county
June 3,1S60. He was reared on a farm and
has followed this honored calling from
his boyhoOd. He enjoys only an academic
education, obtained at the academy Of his
county town, Salisbury. He was deputy
sheriff Of his county for six years and was
a capable, popular official. On entering
the Legislature as a member Of the
House at the session of 1893, he soon
became a recognized header on the Demo
cratic side and made considerable reputa-
ton as q wise, conservative legislator.
He stood in the front ranks Of the little
band of Democratic workers in the ses-
sion of 1895, and is one of the recognized
leaders Of the present House. Mr. Nc
Kenzie is quick, good paThamentarian
and has many times guided the House
out of parliamentary tangles. He was
appointed to positions on the Finance
committee the committee on Banks and
Currency, and on Railroads and Railroad
Commission, ON each of which commit
tees he has been an active, energetic
worker
HON.JAMES WILLIAM FERGUSON
/ Mr.. Ferguson is a son of Hon. Gar
land s. Ferguson, one of the most p0pu-
lar men that has ever gone in and out
among our mountain folks. He was
solicitor of the Twelfth Judicial district,
for several years, represented his county
in the House and was a State Senator
from his Senatorial district. He has
been for a quarter OF a century a CON
trolling spirit in the councils of his party
a delegate to its convention and Yalu-
able aid in formulating its principles and
in defending them on the hustings.
With such tutorage it is not wonder
that even at so early an age his gifted
and popular young son should be found
sitting high up in his partys councils.
James w. Ferguson was born at the
Der q, 1872. He was well educated
and took a special course in law at the
State University during the session OF
1898. He was licensed to practice and
in 1894 returned to Waynesville and
joined his father in the practice of his
profession. Since then the law firm of
Ferguson and Ferguson has stood near
the head in Western North Carolina
In the summer of 1896 the Democrats Of
Haywood county called ON the Junior
OF this firm to represent them in the
Lower House OF the General Assembly.
He accepted the nomination, made a
brilliant and effective campaign, and
when the votes were counted he was
elected with more than Thousand votes
to spare
Mr.. Ferguson has taken prominent
stand among the Democrats of the
House. He has done hard work in the
committees and on the floor and has
JCI h. a.