The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1912-04-05
SENATOR TAYLOR.

servant. Senator Taylor was not
great man, bat he had personally en-
dearcd himself to larger following
than any man the state has known
in wears His sunny disposition, his
wit and humor, his gospel of sun
shine and love, while not CONSTITUTE
ing him a statesman, did endear him
to the people. He understood the
great body of the common people
and in turn they understood and ap-
preciated him. Loveable, genial,
agreeable and eloquent, Robert L.
Taylor held place in the affections
of the people of Tennessee that 1t
will be hard for any man to fill.
Senator Taylor's political career
has been long one, in spite OF the
fact that he was only sixty-two years
of age when he died. For thirty
six years he has been factor in the
uublic life of his state and for more
than a quarter Of century he has
been the best known and personally
the most popular man in Tennessee.
Away back in 1876 when only twen-
ty-six years of age he made an un-
successful race for the Legislature.
Two years later he was elected to
congress from the first Tennessee
district, the only democrat elected
from that district with one eScep-
ton since the great war between the
states His famous campaign with
Mai. A. H. Pettibone, the republican
nominee, is one of the most fascinat-
Ing events in the political history OF
Tennessee So successful was Tay-
lor as a humorist, wit and fiddler
that he turned large Republican
majority into Democratic victory
He was a member of congress for
one term, being defeated for re-elec-
ton and again in 1882.
Taylor took his seat in the House
of Representatives in 1879, the very
day that Benton McMillin commenc.
ed his twenty years career In the
congress. The late Leonidas Cesar
Houk was a member from the second
district, George G. Dibrell was there
from the third, the late John M.
Bright was there from the fifth, the
seventh was represented by Wash.
ington Curran Whitthorne and At
kins was the member from the
eighth. Isham G. Harris was just en-
tering upor his long carer in the SEN
ate and his colleague was James E.
Bailey. Not one of these men Is now
living with the single exception OF
Benton McMillin. And it should be
remarked that the forty-sixth con.
gress in which Taylor served is con.
ceded to have contained the most
brilliant array Of statesman that
ever sat in any congress since the
war and many competent judges de.
, clare that no ante bellum day cong
gress surpassed it's personnel.
Bob Taylor became known to all
of Tennessee in 1884 as an elector
, for the state at large on the Cleve
land Hendricks ticket. In the fol
lowing year he was rewarded by ap
pointment as Pension Agent at Knox
, Vile. In 1886 he was nominated by
, the democrats for Governor. His
opponent was his brother an(
their campaign of the roses" is one
, of the most memorable in the his
tory of the state. Two years latel
: Taylor was candidate for re-nom
ination, but the opposition in hi
. party was both large and aggressive
. Gen. Trousdale and Daniel and Nc
Cornell were the oposing candidates
9 and the convention was deadlocket
. for a week, the longest deadlock eve
known in state convention. TIL
o minority finally yielded a sullen &C
quiescence IN the will Of the majorit.
and Taylor was nominated. John J
!. Vertrees was the leader OF the Tay
-. lor opposition and the convention
-. was marked by speech from hir
- that was scathing arraignment @
), Taylor's policies. Again in 1892 Tay
- Tor was an elector for the state a
!, large making nearly a hundre
= speeches for Cleveland and Stevel
= son.
N In 1896, for the third time the bal
L. ner of the party in Tennessee wa
ia committed to Taylor's hands and b
10 was elected Governor in one Of tn
l. closest contests ever known in tn
in state. At the close of his third teri
as governor he announced his retir
:, ment from public life and went G
: the lecture platform. AS a lecture
he was most successful.
Id Senator Taylor always cherishe
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