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

Cooper. OF Clinton, y. G.. He applied
himself assiduously to learning and
understanding the fundamental princi-
pies of the profession in which he is now
gaining so much reputation, and after
reviewing law for six weeks under
Professor Gulley at Wake Forest. he
applied in February, 1897, to the SUI
preme court of the State for license and
of the forty-two applicants who applied
at the same time, Mr.. Oates was the
first one released after being compli-
mented by the examiners upon the high
grade made in the rigid test to which he
was subjected.
After leaving college, however, Mr..
Oates taught school two years, and in
this way paid back the money he bor-
rowed to defray his expenses at the
State University and at Wake Forest.
On the beginning of the practice of law
he formed a partnership with Mr.. L. X.
Cooper. of Clinton, under whom he read
law two years and the firm is now
known as Cooper Il Oates, with offices
at Clinton and Fayetteville.
Mr.. Oates was elected City Attorney
Of Fayetteville in May, 1899, and this is
but a deserved recognition of his sterling
y
the only position he has sought. being
too closely confined to his law business
to permit the use of his name for po-
itcal promotion. He is naturally fond
of politics, and some of these days VIII
doubtless stand for honors i'll this line.
He always takes great interest IN the
work of the Democratic party, is a
leader in his county and district and
prominent in the State. He always at
tends conventions, and is factor III
making nominations. AS speaker,
either before Il jury, in n convention, or
upon the hustings he has few superlors
and is regarded as splendid ana most
effective campaigner, Il fine political or
ganizer and manager.
Mr.. Oates is of Il most genial and so
cial nature and has all the attributes
which make him valuable contribution
TO society. and an influential member of
his profession. To illustrate his kind
and courteous treatment to all classes,
and also his fine sense of justice, the
following incident may be related:
While Mt Wake Forest College as stu
dent he 81 the agent there refuse
admittance to the ladies waiting room
to an old woman, because she had
second-elass ticket and because she was
poorly clad At the time the waiting
room contained good many elegantly
dressed ladies waiting for the arrival of
the train. 1t was. a bitter cold day, and
the crowd of negroes and boys III the
gents waiting room drove the old lady
and little girl with her out of the
gents waiting room, and she was forced
to wait on the platform in the bitter
cold. Mr.. Oates enquired of her, found
the reason and opened the ladies waiting
room. put her in there and then dehed
the agent to turn her out. He kicked
about ii, and Mr.. Oates reported him
to the Railroad Company. They got
after the Seaboard Air Line and they
after the agent for such radical treat
ment. demanded of him his order for
such an act, and he said it was verbal
order from a man then dead.
During the last session Of the last
Legislature Mr.. Oates represented and
carried to a successful issue the interests
OF the dispensary people of Fayetteville,
retaining the dispensary in the face OF
the most bitter opposition. The fight he
made before the committee was one OF
the most vigorous and successful
ever made in the State Capital. and IN
his able speech he carefully, yet fear
lessly handled the opposition.
Mr.. Oates is an Odd Fellow, member
of the Junior Order of United American
Mechanics and member of the Baptist
Church.