The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1901-05-31
TENNEssEE's Ex-GovERNoRs.
Four are Old, but Retain Full Pos
session of Mental Faculties.

vile, Robert L. Taylor of johnson
City, Johu P, Buchanan of Muir.
treesboro. and Peter 'rurney OF
Winchester. Ex-Goy. Senter, the
first post-bellum governor, died re.
Gently at his home in East Tennes.
see.
While probably not the Oldest
living ex-governor, Hon. James d.
Porter is the one whose administra-
ton dates farthest back. He was
elected in 1874 to succeed Gen. John
c. Brown, and served two terms,
extending from 1875 to 1879, His
administration was a memorable
one. beginning with split in his
party on the State debt question,
one part declaring that that por-
ton incurred by the Brownlow ad-
mInistration should not be paid,
and the other wing saying that the
credit of the State should not be
impaired, and that all obligations
should be met. Despite his advice
and messages, the General Assem-
bly, of 1877 suspended payment of
the interest on the debt and reduced
the tax from 40 to 10 cents on the
500. An effort to fund the debt at
90 cents on the dollar failed, and
here the matter rested until it was
settled under succeeding admin
istration.
During his administration the
Funding Act of 1873 was repealed,
but number of splendid measures
were enacted. Among them were
the tour-mile law, the Act creating
the State Board of Health, and an
other creating the State Board of
Education.
OFFICES UNDER CLEVELAND.
After his voluntary retirement
from Office, Gov. Porter returned to
his home in Paris and resumed the
practice of his profession, the law.
He had at one time been a circuit
Judge, and was considered one of
the best lawyers in the State. When
the Nashville, Chattanooga g. st.
Louis Railway changed ownership,
in the early SOS, he was made pres
ident of the system and served in
that capacity for some time. During
Gleveland's first administration he
was made Assistant Secretary of
State of the United States. and
when Cleveland was elected for a
second Term Gov. Porter was sent
to Chill to represent this nation,
This post had formerly been filled
by another Tennesseau, Battle
Peyton.
Gov. Porter always took decided
interest in educational matters, and
when the Peabody Normal College
was established during his admin
istration he was made a member of
the board of trustees, position he
has held ever since. He is also one
OF the presidents of the Ten
nessee Historical Society.
Gov. Porter still resides in Paris,
and Is yet a vigorous man. He
takes strong interest in public af-
fairs, and is a frequent visitor to
the capital city.
ALVIN G. HAWKINS.
Since the overthrow of the Re-
publican party in this State, which
was brought about by the defeat of
Gov. Senter. there has been one Re-
publican governor, Alvin 6. Haw-
kins, and he is now in the decline of
life. He comes from family of
men Of strong character, who are
and have been divided on political
matters. Previous TO his election
as the chief executive of the State,
he had filled term of three years
on the Supreme Bench, from 1867
to 1870.
His election as governor came
about over the split i'll the DEM
ocratic party over the payment of
the State debt, and on this issue
this party put two candidates in
the field, Hon. John v. Wright,
representing the State Credit
wing, and Hon. S. f. Wilson, rep
resenting the Low Tax" wing.
This was one of the most memora-
BILE campaigns in the history of the
State, and despite the fact that the
dominant party was divided and
torn asunder--a position similar to
that which confronted the national
Democratic party in 1896--no one
has called in question the loyalty
of those who caused the split and
also the election of a Republican.
To-day they occupy some of the
highest places in the gift of the
people, the Low Tax" candidate
being a member of the Court of
Chancery Appeals.
Gov. Hawkins tried to settle the
debt question on a basis that would
meet the appreciation Of the bond
holders, but failed The Supreme
Court declared unconstitutional the