Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-02-28
MAJOR JAMES L. COKER.
Facts About a South Carolinian Who Is
Fit For Senator.

Facts About South Carollnian VINO u
Fit For Senator.
The News and Courier of last Tues
day published an interesting letter
from Mr.. ]. w. Norwood. n prominent
banker of Greenvlle, urging the
claims of Maj. ]. L. Coker, of Dar-
lington, for the senatorship. The let
ter vas not intended for public alton;
but the recipient, Maj. Hemphill,
probably thought 1t ought to be pub
lished and procured the writer's per-
mission. That Maj. Coker will be
selected we have no reason to suppose.
Such honors usually go only to those
who seek them, and Maj. Croker does
not happen to he Of such q disposi-
ton. Honors that come to him must
come unsought. The Enquirer would
not urge this gentleman upon any
body. 1t merely thinks that in hon
oring a man like this South Carolina
would honor itself. Practically all
the reasons we have for such view
are contained in the letter referred
to which we reproduce below as fol-
lows:
Greenville, S. c., Feb. 23, 1908.
If Charleston has nc candidate fcr
the unexpired term in the United
States senate, made vacant by the
death of Senator Latimer, could not
you use influence in favor of Major
Coker?
No man more richly merits the
com pliment of being elected to such
high office without effort on his part.
He has had little legislative expert
ence, but few men in our state Cor
the United States either) have as fine
natural ability as he-Hew have en-
loved as good educational advantages.
He was partly educated at the Clta-
del. He withdrew from the academy
a month or two before graduation and
continued his studies at Harvard. He
was among the first in his class al
the Citadel. He has been a close
and thorough student all his life, and
Is today one of the most versatile
scholars in the state. He is both q
creditable speaker and writer.
He is one Of the most successful
business men in the state. Twenty
five years ago Hartsrille was twelve
miles from the nearest railroad sta
ton, and the place bad only one coun-
try store and no other business en-
terprise except farming. He oullt
railroad to connect With the Coasl
Line, operated 1t successfully himself
and then sold it at profit. He en-
couraged competing merchants to
move to the place. built a paper
mill (Which has been enlarged from
time to time out of the profits, ana
| is now one of the largest and most
successful paper mills In the soutn,
having over 100000 of assets). A
| novelty company, for manufacture
| ing cones and parallels out or paper
| for use of yarn mills,) which has peen
phenomenally successful, is another
of the enterprises he set on foot' as
we'll as numerous smaller INDUSTRIES;
He also established a bank-and
through him a cotton mill costing
about 100000 was built. He is the
| largest stockholder in the mill and
was from the first. The HartsVille
cotton mill is one Of the most sue
cessful in the state.
He is one of the most successful
(and largest) merchants and planters
| in this state. He has large Invest
ments in mercantile business at Harts-
VILE and over 100000 in farming.
He is q man of we'll night infalllple
Judgment and seems to know how 10
manage the different departments OF
his business. He also has an oil mill
at Hartsville, (unincorporate0 IN
which a considerable sum is invested,
and which has been conspicuously
successful.
With all of his enterprises he is
| the most conservative man l know.
None of his corporations have depts
not represented ty quick assets.
| His modesty is such that the world
realizes the extent Of his business sue
cess no more than they do his intel
lectual attainments. His business
success has not been narrow or sell
| fish, but has helped build up the
country and has benefited a great
number.
He is one of the greatest philan-
thropists in the state Few men have
ever done more to build up South
Carolina, intellectually as we'll as
materially He las been helping to
educate other peoples boys ana SirlS
| from his early manhood. In the past
few years he has given to the Welch
Neck High School alCne over $50. 900.
This school is educating now about
| two hundred young men. boys ana
girls from all over the state.
Notwithstanding hi: varied inter-
ests he gives more of his own time
to helping his fellowman than any
other man of my acquaintance who
| is not q teacher or Il preacher. The
South Carolina college conferred the
degree of Ill. d. on Major Coker
few years ago. This is an unusual
degree to be conferred on a plain
| business man.
There was no more gallant soldier
in the Confederate service than Capt.
(afterward Major) Coker. COM
pliment to him would be appreciated
| by the old soldiers-now rapidly pass
ing away. l hope l am not an eXtrem-
list. In my sober judgment, con-
sidering character, intellect and varied
success, Major Coker is the greatest
man I've ever met. A more kindly,
pure and noble man would be hard
| to find. have considered him an
ideal man from my earliest recollec-
ton. I have never heard him make
an inconsiderate, uncharitablc or un-
kind remark. You know him by
reputation, if not personally. You
can verify what I nave written. IL
YOU will help elect him I bclie!> .'ou
will be honoring your state in honor
| ing him. Very truly yours,
| J. w. Norwood.
THE STOCK LAW.