The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-08-08

AAS~S
by his own individual worth, integrity
and high, conscientious character.
He was born December 29, 1881, IN
Newberry. AS stated by Mr.. Thur
mond, in nominating him to the su-
preme court, his inheritance was a
good name and an honest character.
With this solid foundation to build
upon, Mr.. Justice Jones at an early
age developed a character that has
not only brought him political honor,
but which has stamped him as
man head and shoulders with his fell
low citizens. His rise to the high
and merited honor is but another IL
lustration of the adage, every man is
the architect of his own fortune
The early years of his life were spent
in Newberry where he entered the
Lutheran college there and went
through the sophomore class.
I'm 1858 he entered the Junior
class of Erskine college and gradu-
ated in the class of 1870. Among
the distinguished men in church and
State who were members of this
class was James Calvin Hemphill,
editor of the News and Courier. At
Erskine college Mr.. Jones was
member of the Euphemian Literary
Society, in which he distinguished
himself as an orator and debater. He
was medal orator of his society at
his graduation.
After graduation he returned to
Newberry and taught school two
years in the county and Edgeheld,
studying law in the meantime. While
in Newberry he was associate editor
of the Herald of that town. He was
admitted to the bar when 21 years
old, and since that time has follow
ed his profession with zeal and sue
cess; as is evidenced by his elevation
to one of the highest and most re-
sponsible positions in the gift of the
people.
"In the fall of 1875 Mr.. Justice
Jones removed to Lancaster, and has
since resided in that town. 1t was
then town without railroad or
telegraph facilities, but there were
great possibilities open to an active,
energetic young man. The town and
county were undeveloped, but rail-
road was headed toward Lancaster
from Chester. Mr.. Justice Jones,
then a lawyer just beginning profess
sional life, induced by his cousin,
Capt. w. L. DePass, late of Camden,
cast his lot in Lancaster. When he
got there he had $40 in his pocket
and no friends and acquaintance.
He had energy and pluck, however,
which often count for more than dol
lars, and always bring them in.
LAS lawyer he has been at the
head of the profession in the State,
In recent years his services were
largelyin demand blythe State. In the
celebrated cases in reference to the
railroad taxes, which Gov. Tillman
pushed so vigorously, Judge Jones
was chief counsel of the attorney
general. From the inception of the
railroad tax cases his advice was al
ways most valuable, and it is gener-
ally conceded that the victory of the
State in these cases was largely due
to his services as assistant-counsel.
I'm 1890 he was sent to the legis-
lature as a member of the house OF
representatives from Lancaster. He
Immediately took a prominent part
in the deliberation of that body, and
was appointed chairman of the ways
and means committee, and by COM
mon consent was the acknowledged
leader of the house. On the election
of Speaker Irby to to the United
States, he was chosen speaker of the
house, which position he filled until
January 80, 1895, when he was
unanimously elected Associate JUS
tice of the Supreme Court of South
Carolina. And on the 22nd day OF
January, 1902, he was again unanl-
mously elected for the full term OF
eight years to this responsible posi-
ton.
''By his uniform courtesy, kindness
and fairness as speaker he received
the appreciation of all factions and
parties. No speaker had been more
popular or won more praise FROM
members of all political faiths for
his manner of conducting and expe-
diting the business of the body over
which he presided. He was elected
a member of the constitutional con-
vention in which he took a promi-
nent part, and was chosen vice-presi-
dent. Besides these honors, Mr..