The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1903-07-23
SAMUEL MAYES ARNELL,

In the death OF Hon. Samuel M. Ar
nell, which occurred at his home on
Unaka avenue in this city ON Tuesday
evening, historic figure is removed.
Mr.. Arnell was born in Maury
county, Tennessee, on May 3, 1888, and
attended Amherst College, which con.
ferred upon him the degree of master
of arts.
Upon the outbreak of the civil war,
although slave owner himself, he
threw all the influence of his magnifi-
cent intellect in favor of the union and
battled under conditions that would
have daunted one of less sterling con-
Victions.
AT the close OF the war, without con-
sulting his wishes, his name was placed
on the state ticket presented by the
Union people as a candidate for the
general assembly. He was elected and
became member of the first legisla-
ture of the free state of Tennessee.
Upon the assembling of the legisla-
ture he at once became the leader of
the progressive wing of that body.
SO great was his influence that it be-
came a by-word and it was iokingly
said that if the clerk should reverse the
roll and cause his name to be called
last that more than half the members
would not know how to vote. Whether
this be exaggeration or not is imma-
torial, but the fact stands out that he
left his impress upon nearly every
statute of general nature that was
passed during the sessions of that leg.
islature, and large proportion of them
were originated by him, the most wide
reaching Of which were the franchise
law, the testimony law and those re-
lating to the free school system.
He was man of strong convictions
untiring energy and persistent pur
pose. He counted not personal sacri
fee, and although all the powers of
partisan press, personal intimidation
social ostracism and financial ruin wer,
thrown into the scales against him h,
stood immoyable in what he considered
for the interests of the people and tn,
state. His influence was second onl,
to Governor Brownlow himself, will
whom there subsisted the warmest per
sonal friendship.
In all the storm and turmoil of tina
legislature we find him, however. ever
poised, as is illustrated by his opposi
ton to bill Offering reward for Gov
Harris dead or alive, and Tennessee
owes him a debt of gratitude in pre-
serving the state intact when partisan
clamor sought to divide, it as was don
in the case CT Virginia. At the expira
ton of his legislative term he was elect
ed to the both congress from the Col
umbia district and was reelected t
the 10th and 4lst congresses.
lie took prominent place in con
gress, became a member OF the con
mittee on accounts and chairman of th
committee on education and labor.
His committee conducted the inves
tigation which resulted in the exonerI
ton OF Gen. o. o. Howard from a
fault in the management of the Freed
mans Bureau, and it was directly du
to his influence that the national br
reau of education was saved from b,
ing abolished as impracticable.
In the Treasury Department
Washington is bust of Gen. Spinnt
placed there by the women of AmeriC
in recognition of his having first en-
ployed women in the government SCI
vice. To Mr.. Arnell is due equi
credit as it was through his efforts thu
there is now no discrimination in til
pay of men and women in the employ
ment of the government where the
perform the same class of work
This was recognized through con
mittee composed of Mrs. Henry Win
tiers Davis, Isabella Beecher Hooker
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan
Anthony, who waited upon him an