The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

respected parentage. in Halifax county.
june 9th, 1866. The family is one of
the oldest in the State and the lineal
descent, being English is traceable back
to the famous battle or Agincourt,
where one of the ancestors distinguish
ed himself, was knighted and given the
coat of arms
When but thirteen years of age. our
subject left home, with his fathers
consent, and began the real battle of
life. Although of tender years, he had
learned that success was only obtain
able by strict adherence to the princi-
pies of honor and integrity. and the
constant application of mind and body.
The years passed on and each succeed
ing year found him better prepared to
do something, accomplish something For
a number Of years he worked in the Supe-
rior court clerks office and during that
period, he constantly perfected and en-
larged his knowledge. He had resolved
10 become Il disciple of Blackstone and
siiA~sq uently began the study Of law,
being ;itfshs.fed to the bar in February,
1890. Active TSactice was begun at
Halifax. this State.sas a partner Of K.
@. Burton, under the Grnl. name of Bur-
ton u Travis. This partnership was
continued for three years at the expira-
ton of which time, tha senior member
moved TO Raleigh Since that period
he has built up large and lucrative
practice, and perhaps has tn 'arg
est docket of any lawyer i'll his county.
The Senator is close and ardent stu
dent. who thoroughly prepares and mas
ters his cases, hence his great success.
He is not Il politician and has never
sought political preferment. but has
closely attended to his professional dtl-
ties, which wholly consume his tins.
He married in 1894 Miss Grady of Hall
fax county, and the result Of this union
is two bright boys. In 1898 he was
made chairman of the Democratic Elk
ecutive Committee of Halifax county.
When he assumed the executive posi-
ton. the county was considered hope
lessly Republican and there seemed not
even a shadow of a chance for the
success of Democracy. With quiet,
determination TO succeed. Senator Ira
Wis closed his office. the middle of Sep
tember, brushed aside all private mat
tiers, until after the election. and at
once began campaign, the like of
which has never before been seen i'm
Halifax county. Not u stone was left
lnturned. with almost superhuman eff
fort he shoulGered the vast burden In
the meantime, he was unanimously
nominated for the State Senate The
Ides of November rolled around. and
with them the joyful news came that
Edward l.. Travis had not only wiped
out the vast Republican majority of
1900 but was elected Il member of the
State Senate by over LOO majority
and this TOO, in the face of a complete
Fusion between Republicans and Popu-
lists. Mr.. Travis carried through suc-
cessfully the entire county ticket No
doubt the result was even a greater sur
prise to the Republicans throughout the
State. as Halifax is considered their
banner county Too much credit cannot
be given to the brainy man who wrought
this great achievement, a triumph of
pure, unadulterated Democracy over
Eusionisn.
Senator Travis career in the Senate
was charac, eristic Of the man. and
n the committee room or upon the tlnor
nv was without superior His
week as chairman of the Committee on
Constitutional Amendment will long
stamp him as benefactor Of the Demo-
cratic party Of North Carolina His
ceaseless, untiring toll both in the for
NATION and the subsequent adoption OF
the amendment will long be remembered.
1t is generally considered that his de-
bates in caucus on the Constitutional
Amendment were among the ablcst
made and were largely instfums ntal in
its passage.
He is chairman of the Committee on
Appropriations and a member of the
following important committees: Fin
ance. Penal Institutions. Railroads and
Railroad Commission, Judiciary. Elec
ton Laws. Counties. Cities and Towns
Courts and Court Districts. Public
Roads. Corporations and othsrs As a
member Of this large number Of COM
mittees his work was necessarily large
and trying. but he never faltered and
true 10 the trust reposed IN linn, gave