The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-08-22
Col, James A. Hoyt
Prohibition Candidate for Governor.
Some Interesting Sketches Of Long and Useful Lfe-Is
Battles for Southern Rights-Eis Fight for Temper
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contests. In 1874. he carried his county fol
Green, in opposition TO Chamberlain. He
was yehem ent In his criticism of Chamber
laln's course, and as county chairman OF The
The 5ate of aSvs wsab Gbgan bs
strenuous work for General Hampton and
enjoyed the con fdence OF that leader through.
out bis campaign and ADMINISTRATION. His
heartily bated by the Radicals, who frequent
ly th threatened his life; but without ef feet up
on bis course. His service upon the state
executive comm ittee was equally vigilant
arms Of the Wallace house, and Was with
Judge Haskell when he discovered the means
ofentering the state capitol.
In the early part OF 1877 Colonel Hoyt be-
came editor OF the Columbia Register, which
was the champion OF The unlerrined De-
mocracy while II was under his control.
Alter two years In this work, he left The Re.
gister and purchased The Working Christian
Courier and removed to Greenville. The
paper was enlarged and improved, and under
bis management az chief editor and proprle.
tor, ~ became one OF the leading denomina.
with The Baptist Courier made him acquaint-
ed througout the state, and az he has the ex.
ceptional faculty OF remem bering names and
faces, he enjoys remarkably wide range OF
friendships.
During his editorship OF The Baptist Couri.
er, he continued 10 take an interest In poll.
tics, and until 1850 he represented Greenville
county In the state Democratic executive
com mtttee, and In that year was elected Its
chairman, as one who was not an extremist
on either side OF the factional fight then brew.
ing, and who bad the confidence of both fac
1ps AIS n9 an he refused to rule out
tion, though be did not approve the methods
used TO inangarate reforms In the state gov
eminent Whiiel opposing those methods,
he deprecated strife apd bitterness and was
one OF the first 10 appeal for the obliteration
Of factional lines.
Ia 1885, Colonel Hoyt was unanimously elect
ed president OF the Baptist State Convention
and was reelected for nine successive terms,
twenty years he was trustee OF Furman
University, and was at one time vice-presl.
dent OF the Southern Baptist Con nvention.
For the last several years he has been q Vice
president OF the American Baptist Education.
al society, and has delivered an address, be.
fore that body and also before the American
Baptist Publican society. 81 ~.
In June, 1891. be sold his interest In The
Baptist Courier and contemplated final re-
iirement from the newspaper business. For
time he was financial agent OF Furman Uni.
yersity; but the habits and associations OF q
1892, be assumed control OF the Green vile
Enterprise and Noun ntaineer as editor and
proprietor. The name Of the paper was chang
ed 10 It's original form, The Mountaineer, and
Colonel Hoyt has since continued as It's editor
and proprietor until the opening OF the pres
ent campaign, when be relinqnished his edi-
torial duties TO devote his time 10 the can.
vasa.
Having been so long active and prominent
In State politics, II Is natural that Colonel
Hoyt should have been often solicited TO be.
come candidate for governor; but he has
always steadfastly declined until this year,
when the demand upon him was such that he
could not refuse. Having always been an
outspoken advocate Of prohibition against
every other method OF controlling the liquor
traffic, and having repeatedly favored making
the fight for that principle In this State, he fell
which was given him by the Prohibition De-
mocrats In May, and accordingly he accepted
the responsibility and has taken the stump
as their candidate for governor. Besides his
advocacy OF prohibition. he possesses other
elements OF strength iu his acknowledged
ability, his respected high character, his long
experience and service In public life without
reward bis success In business and his re:
putation as man and Christian.
As Prohibitionist, Colonel Hoyt Is strictly
self nor has he ever permitted the use OF wine
or liquors of any Bind In bis home. He was
member OF tempera nce society when
youth and later Joined the Good Templars.
whose principles ne has always eXemplified
IN his daily life. AS an employee, Colonel
Hoyt has made IL rule not to allow any one
who drinks 10 remain on bis pay roll, and by
thus mlngling hrmness with kindness be has
helped many man TO give up the habit.
Colonel Hoyt Is d Mason of high degree, and
b, tore he had been ten years member OF
that order, he was chosen Grand Master OF
the Ancient Freemasons In South Carolina,
succeeding General j. B. KershsW in that
Office In 1874 He has also held memberships
In the Grange and the Odd Fellows. He Was
prominent IN organizing the South Carolina
State Press Association In 1875. or which he
was elected president, and he Is now on The
executive committee ofthat body.