The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-10-10
THE JEFFERSONIAN

adjoining States.
Mr. Hemphll's defeat was accomplished by the
Tlliman movement in South Carolina. Wade
Hampton, M. G. Butler, George D. Tillman, John
Hampton, M. G. Butler, George D. Tillman, John
shades of private life by that unnecessary political
upheaval.
We certainly did not send their equals to either
branch OF Congress- and today the abest in
South Carolina not in public Office
There's John G. Sheppard, John L. McLaurn,
D. S. Henderson, Stanyarne and Wilson, who are
away and ahead of anybody have in Office
Ben Tillman not excepted.
But the politics of South Carolina have got to
be such cesspool of datribe and abuse that
some of our best men will not offer for public
positions.
I am not writing this out of any desire to
euloglze Mr.. Hemphill, but knowing that you
were in Congress with him in 1891, and in 1892,
prompted me to write and ask your opinion of
the late ex-Congressman. 1 shall appreciate very
highly short editorial comment in reference to
your opinion of Mr.. Hemphill and other distin-
guished South Carolinians.
John J. Hemphil William L. Wilson, the late
ex-Speaker Crisp, and Senator Bailey were con-
sidered the brightest young the Demo-
cratic side Of the House in the latter eighties
They are all dead, except Bailey, and he's dead
politically. Had Hemphi1I remained in Congress-
there is strong probability that he would have
been ranked with such Bailey, the late
ex-senator Carmac, and others. Hemphills defeat
was calamity to our State With the passage
of years has come more definite conception
the part of many that the Tillman movement was
concocted for the ostensible purpose of crafty
ing the selfish ambition of INSCRIPTIONS and
designing politician. Senator Tillman has been
repudiated by majority of those who supported
him in 1890. He said not long since, that had
it not been for receiving the support of those
who opposed him in 1890 he would have been
defeated this year for reelection" No wonder
they repudiated Tillman, because he has long
since repudated the principles for which large
majority of the people of South Carolina stand.
I am a citizen of South Carolina, and am there
fore interested in the politics and public of
the old Palmetto State.
Yours truly,
r. R. JEFFARES.
Atlanta, Ca. Sept 26th, 1912.
COMMENT.
Mr.. Hemphill's seat on the floor Of
the House was near mine, and we were
good friends. In the interludes of work, we
had many pleasant conversations.
He was every inch a gentleman and his
ability was unquestioned.
He had charge of the District Of Columbia
affairs, and was complete master of that
extremely complex and important branch of
the Federal Government.
He was SOBER d1ligent, even tempered and
ready.
Whenever "District day" was on, Hemp
hill led the House, and was at his ease in any
debate that came up. He enjoyed the abso-
lutte confidence of both the big parties, and
he treated us few Pops with unfailing
courtesy.
Without being at all intimate with him, l
entertained as warm feeling for Mr.. Hemp
hill as I did for Henry G. Turner, Alexander
Dockery and Buck Kilgore
It gives me pleasure to publish the tribute
which a fellow CaroEnian pays to Mr..
Hemphill's memory.