The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-06-19
HON. ]. A. SULLIVAN

From Madison for Demo-
cratic Nominee for Con-
9ress. His Record is Worthy
of Emulation.
Hon. Jere A. Sullivan, candidate for
the Democratic nomination for Con-
gress in this District, is a man of large
business and political experience and
is thoroughly equipped 10 occupy the
responsible position which he seeks.
de was born near Richmond during
the Civil War. While the subject of
this sketch was very young his father
died leaving a widow and seven chill
dren In poverty. The mother inspired
the children in early life with desire
for good education and all of them
responded and used every honorable
effort to secure the same. Judge Sui
Ivan was educated in the common
and private schools of Richmond until
he entered the freshman class of Gen.
trail University from which institution
he graduated with the highest honors
of his class. During vacation he
usually worked as a hand on the adj
joining farms in order to secure funds
with which to purchase books and
other necessarieS. Shortly after his
graduation he served as deputy county
clerk and deputy circuit clerk Of
Madison county and at the same time
read law under the late L. j. Scott
who subsequently, became circuit judge
and was one of the ablest lawyers and
judges In the State. Judge sullivan
completed his education in the Univer-
sity of Virginia where he studied law.
After being admitted to the bar, he
formed partnership with lion. H. b.
Herd, who shortly thereafter located
in Fort Worth, Texas, where he has
made a great success as a lawyer and
business man.
In 1885 Judge sullivan was nomi-
mated and elected county attorney of
Madison. county without opposition.
Again in 1880 he was reelected without
opposition from either party. Toward |
the end Of the last term he announced |
that he would not be candidate for |
third term on account of the growth OF |
his practice which required all his |
time. His record rs county attorney
was progressive in every particular. |
He helped in the movement TO extend
turnpiKes, build bridges and improve |
the county along all lines, Although |
often requested 10 heoomelIa candidate, |
Judge Sullivan declined to make |
another race until 1907, when he be. |
came candidate for representative of |
Madison county at the solicitation Of |
hundreds of his fellow democrats. He |
was again nominated and elected |
without opposition. He went to the |
legislature not TO play politics but to |
frame, introduce ana have enacted |
measures that would improve and lad |
vance the State, He introduced a bill |
requiring the inspection of State banks |
on a similar basis " it'll national banks |
but the measure failed to pass until |
taken up by The asst legislature. Al
though not member of the 1912 legis-
lature, he drew the bill which was
adopted. Under this law, deposition
feels that the State bank is as secure |
as a national bank Judge Sullivan,
after examining the school census of |
l9OO, WHICH allowed remarkable de-
gree Of illit0racy in Kentucky, set to
work to improve The educational
system OF the State, or rather readjust /
matters so.lhat the people would get |
advantage Of the immense volume of |
money that is being expended annu-
ally for the cause of public education,
With others, he helped establish two
normal schools, and by his efforts the
high schools were founded and even
Judge Sullivan's strongest opponents,
who have seen the results, must ad-
NIT that his ideas were correct and
that his work will eventually take
Kentucky out OF the iIllterate column,
Ken Rcky was almost the last State in
the United States TO establish a normal
school. Practically from the time he
was admitted 10 the bar Judge Sulu-
ven has been recognized as one of the
ablest and most successful Lawyers and
mas been counsel 90 either side or the
other OF almost every important suit at
the Madison bar. His practice has
extended 10 many other counties and
into the Federal Court, He has at ali
times been recognized as a progressive
citizen, possessing sound, conservative
judgement and is one of the most sue.
ceSstul business men in Kentucky.
BY MS own industry, starting in pow
erty ne mas amAssed a splendid estate
and upon the removal of ]. Stone
Walker from Richmond, Mr.. Sullivan
was chosen president of the State
Bank and Trust Company, the largest
financial institution In Madison
county. Shortly after his admission
TO the bar, Judge Sullivan became
secretary 70 Gov. McCFeaEy during
MS race Tor congress, Later upon the
election OF Grover Cleveland he was
rendered the position of first deputy
under Collector Rronston, but declined
as he preferred TO continue his law
work. de has been elected Chairman
Of the Democratic county committee of
Madison county repeatedly without
opposition and likewise a member of
The Democratic State Central Com
mtttee. be has also served as men,
Der OF various State campaign COM
he drafted the Democratic
platform which was adopted at the
in Louisville and upon
which Gov James b. McCreary and
his splendid ticket won such crown
ing victory last November. Then
after Governor McGFeaEy had changed
an $4,000 defeat TO 3i,00O majority,
Nj, sullivan was asked by the new
Governor 10 prepare measures which
were 10 carry ont the platform pledges.
This he did spending several months
N the patriotic work. Practically all
Of the pledges were enacted into law
oy one of the best legislatures Ken
lucky has ever had. His great service
70 the party actuated hundreds of his
admirers in the Eighth Congressional
district to call upon him to enter the
race for Compress, realizing that he 4
would be great force at the national
capital and would in the language of
lack johnson, "Dring home the
bacon"