The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1915-02-19
MENDEL LAFAYETTE SMITH
a4t NEWLY ELECTED JUDGE

i've and conservative constitution of
these committees, done as much as
any one man in the state to stimulate
and develop it's educational system.
| In 1908, he was the author of q
resolution which authorized the gov
ernor to appoint commission to re-
vive the common school law of the
state and with distinguished educa-
tors served on the commission, and
while this report was not enacted
into law as a whole, its progressive
recommendations acted as great
stimulus to educational reforms and
| activities in our system. In 1907, he
was appointed by Speaker Whaley,
chairman of the Military Committee
of the House, which made him ex-
officio, member of the Board of
Visitors of the Citadel, his alma ma
ter. He was also appointed 4 mem
Der of the board of trustees of the
South Carolina Medical College in
1904, succeeding the late U. S. Circuit
Judge, Chas. H. Simonton, and serveo
on the board until the Reorganization
of the college as state institution.
He has served several times as
chairman of the county Democratic
convention and executive committee,
and has continuously served as u
delegate to the state Democratic con-
vention since his entrance into public
life to the last convention which he
declined on account of his announced
candidacy for the office of governor.
He was president of the state DEM
ocratic convention in 1908, and was
temporary chairman of what is
known as the Jones' convention
which was held in 1912 Many deli
cate and important questions were
presented at this convention, grow
ing out of contests which were ptn
sented with much feeling, to which
he applied his ability as a parlia-
mentarian and experience as a pre-
siding officer with great firmness and
satisfaction.
He was elected to the House of
REPRESENTATIVES from Kershaw coun-
ty In 1900 by the largest majority
ever given a candidate with opposf-
ton in the county and thereafter,
with the exception of one term 1907
1909), has served his county in this
capacity for period of twelve years,
never having failed Of election in the
first primary by overwhelming ma
jorities. No representative has ever
more highly esteemed by his constit-
uency nor more implicitly trusted,
nor has he ever failed to measure
up to any responsibility imposed.
After a service of two years on
the floor of the House, he was elected
speaker of that body by large ma
jority. He has served the state in
that capacity for eight years, from
1903 to 1915.
t 1t is here that his peculiar fitness
and talents have been displayed most
brilliantly in his public life. Possessed
of striking physique, commanding
presence and voice, an exquisite pa
tience and firmness, a spirit of abso
lutte fairness and impartiality, pol
ished courtesy and wonderful mas
terry of the principles of parliament
tary law and usage, it is conceded
by all that he has not a superior in
this country as parliamentarian and
presiding officer.
He is frequently called upon to de-
termine throughout the state impor-
tant questions relating to the pro-
ceedings of boards of directors of bus
mess concerns, municipal councils
and other deliberative assemblies Of
various kinds, whether presiding over
body swayed with bitter factional
strife, or moved by a peaceful har-
mony, he always won, jointly, by his
firnness, fairness and impartiality,
the confidence and esteem of all,
which have been from time to time
expressed by the most cordial reso-
lutions and the happy presentation Of
testimonials and tokens of regard.
In 1907 he was urged to make the
race for governor, but could not on
account of protracted illness. He,
however, did make the race in 1914.
but was unsuccessful. But for the
peculiar turn the campaign took dur
ing its last few days, he would today
be governor of South Carolina. He,
with six others in the race, opposed
the Blease administration, while four
candidates favored it. A concentra-
tion of the anti-administration forces
was deemed wise, and this resulted
in his failure to get in the second
primary. He made most vigorous
fight against lawlessness and the en-
forcement of the law. In an edito-
rial of Aug. %, 1914, the State
newspaper voiced the sentiment of
thousands in this state when it de-
clared:
"Rarely has any man made a more
attractive campaign for Governor of
South Carolina than that of Men
del l.. Smith, of Kershaw. His plat
form was broad and progressive and
he met the issues fairly and frankly,
discussing them with excellent abili-
ty.
"Mr. Smith is stronger in South
Carolina today than ever he was be-