The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1902-07-02
JOHN J. HEMPHILL.
sketch OF one OF the Candidates for
the United States Senate.

! N'''' W SolljSo vi SOOu Olt
Chester stock, and has been citizer
OF that county all his life. Graduating
from the University of South Caroline
In 1869 he entered i'm 1871 the firm o
Hemphill II Hemphill, attorneys
which has lasted thirty-one years. In
1876 he led the Democratic ticket fol
the Legislature and became a member
OF the famous Wallace House, distin.
gushing himself in debate, and hav,
ing great influence in shaping legisia,
tlon. Elected to congress 1882 he was
the youngest member of that body,
but soon made himself useful to his
party. His speech on the financial
question advocating commission tc
secure international blmetallism was
pronounced bv Morrison, the Demo
cratic leader, 1.-THE ablest, fairest and
most creditable presentation of that
side OF the question" His power OF
repartee was marked. In the contest
between Elliott and Smalls the report
favored the seating the latter: but Mr..
llemphill as leader OF the fight for
Elliott carried the war into Africa
and proved the Hypocrisy of the Re-
publicaDS by showing that they ex-
cluded the negro from politics, schools
and employmentS in the north. The
sharp arraignment brought dozen
! Republicans to their feet at once, but
single handed Mr.. Hemphill met and
VanquiShed them. General Spinola
characterized his speech as "a shower
OF brickbatS into the Republican camp.
Every fellow was hit before he saw
where the blow was coming from. -
and correspondent wrote, except
Butterworth and Cox / have never
seen a congressman more ready i'm his
reply TO savage thruSts." The Rich
mond Dispatch declared 1.-THE GOODNESS
and self possession OF the speaker, who
made not one blunder, won the case
for Elliott"
In the Fifty-tirst congress. Lodge
OF MASSACHUSETTS,. introduced the fam
Gus force bill, putting all Federal cleo
tiors in the hands of the Federal gov
ernment with an unlimited number of
irresponsible Federal marshals. This
would have destroyed every vcstige of
civil liberty i'm the south. Mr. Hemphill
led the fight against the bill, measur-
ing swords with the brilliant New
Englander and holding his own with
ease. Lodge was rewarded for his fight
with seat in the United States sem
ate, but the iniquitouS bill was killed.
MIR. Hemphill also scored point i'm
| opposing the admission OF Utah as a
State until the men could manage
TO get along with fewer wives"
In tariff debates he strongly ex-
pounded the doctrines of the South,
and strenuously opposed all increase of
taxation. Since his retirement the
t.XeS have been doubled.
For eight years he was on the com
mittee on the District of Columbia.
and four years chairman. This dis
trict is under the exclusive control of
congress and the people have no vote,
SO that the committee is all important.
! The Washington Star said of its chair
man, The people of Washington
have no better or wiser friend than
he, and they appreciate the fact. He
has the confidence and respect both of
the community and the house, and
the district congratulateS itself that
he will consent to act as chairman. "
Another paper said: Mr.. Hemphill
is conceded to have been one OF the
ablest chairmen the committee has
had for years. He is the most CON
spicuous of the new generation of the
southern congressman"
In 1892 losing the nomination fol-
congress by Il few votes, though his
county sustained him strongly, he
urged his friends to Join him in sup
port OF his opponent. He has always
attended to the minor duties of a citi.
zen. being an active member Of the
Chester Democratic club and preServ-
ing his registration as Il qualified vo,
ter of Chester county. In 1895 he
was member of the county convcn-
tion to choose delegates 20 constitu
tiOnal convention and helped to ar
range peace and harmony ticket
He was nominated from the fool
} as Il delegate, but declined in favor ot
others. He has at different time.
canNaSSed a number of doubtful State.
for the Democratic ticket under the
auspices OF the national committee
and has ever supported the Demo
cratic ticket, county, State and ma
tiOnal. He has recently received az
) invitation to speak on The Southern
Democrat, at the approaching Demo
cratic luVcfeaSt in New York. 1,
which Cleveland, Hin, Bryan and 9th
erS are invited. lie believes i'm the
old Democratic idea of peaceful eX-
panSion in commerce and in the acQuiS
tion of such territory only as may be
admitted TO Statehood. Bnt he siren
ouSly opposes the bloody conquest anC
depopulatiOn OF the Philippines, tn,
subsidy 10 rich lines, and the protec
tiOn that enables trusts to sell t
foreigners at prices 30 per cent. chap
er than those charged home cUnSum
, crS.
Mr.. IIemphill is an able lawyer, ant
is frequently called beyond the limit
, OF the State in important cases, be
fore the court OF claims and otheI
I tribunals.
Ten years in congress, i'm association
, with able statesmen tit him to entel
the senate not as a novice, but as
well equipped veteran. His ability
experience and readiness in debat
would make him a strong addition {
the Democratic array in that body.