The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1910-02-24

lJ-ClSilllf Va tAC SNAA~S'
Mr.. Percy received 81 votes to 81 for
Ex-Governor James K. Vardaman. When
the caucus was called to order tonight
the names of Messrs. Adam Byrd, John
KYLE and H. H. Street were Withdrawn,
thus leaving the race between Varda-
man and Percy A great crowd was
present and when the result fthe ballot
was known bedam broke loose. The scene
WINS indescribable. Enthusiasm had been
pent up for weeks and once the vents were
opened the rafters of the great hall were
made to shake and rattle as never be-
fore.
In many respects this has been one
of the most remarkable political con-
tests ever experienced in this country.
Ex-Governor Vardaman has made
wonderful fight. The brains OF the
state has been against him from the
beginning. He has had an average OF
seventy votes from the first, and it was
known that In event VI sho" Uo''H -
would receive sufficient number OF votes
as second choice to elect him over most
any other of the seven or eight men IN
the race. There was never at any time
any chance of winning votes from Var
daman. His followers, have stuck to him
closer than brothers and several times they
have rushed him near the goal. The op-
position had always shown up stronger
than the ex-governor, but it seemed I'M
possible to cement them on one man. Fhe
leaders of the opposition have praEIlsed
all along that they could control theama-
iority beyond peradventure, they would
retire all Tut ore of their number and
make the showdown.
During the afternoon all the candidates
held caucuses, separately, and afterwards
committees waited on the Percy manage
ment and served notice that they were
going to get out of his way. He had been
leading the fight from the beginning and
was confident he would defeat Varda-
man if MS friends and supporters would
rally to him as. he pledged he would do
to them should he get out.
The news spread rapidly over the city
that something was in the wind for the
night and long before dark the galleries
were packed and jammed as never before,
some Of the ladies having brought their
suppers with them.
When chairman Dean had called the
caucus to order Withdrawals came rap
idly-Street, Byrd and others with
drew.
After the result of the ballot was an
iounced Mr. Percy was brought to the
front and made a delightful little talk.
Mr.. Vardaman did the same, serving
notice he would be a candidate two wears
hence.
Hon. Leroy Percy was born in Washing
ton county, November ninth, 1861. He
was the second of five children Mr.
Parcy's father was Col. William Percy
a native of Alabama. Col. Percy was
one of the foremost men in the state, and
though his business interests in the delta
engrossed NOSE of his time, was a
power in state politics throughout his
life. He was the political leader of the
democrats during reconstruction days wher
the delta suffered more than one ether
section because of its overwhelming black
majority. Col. Percy was recognized a:
one of the abest lawyers. of the country
His mantle fell upon his eldest son, whc
was nominated for the United State:
serate tonight and vino is recognized a.
inheriting of his fathers ability as a law
yer and perhaps equalling him in ca
pacity of organization and leadership oi
men.
Mr.. Percy's mother was Miss Nan
ME E. Armstrong, of Tennessee.
Leroy Percy was a graduate of the
University of the South at Sewanee
Tenra, and a graduate also in law at the
University of Virginia. He also took a
short course at Princeton, N. ].
After his collegiate courses Mr.. Perez
returned to Grcenville, Miss, where he
made his home, engaging in the practice
of law, which has been his life business.
after the death of his father, who was
the senior member of the firm of Percy
and Yerger, lawyers, at Greenville, Mr..
Percy was taken into the firm
Mr.. Percy was married on the ninth of
December, 1883, to Miss Camille E.
Bourges, of Louisiana, and to them was
born one child, Vim. A. Percy, named
tor his grandfather Two brothers, VIM.
A. Percy, of Memphis, and Walker Percy,
of Birmingham, both distinguished law
yers, have been here since the contest
began