University of Georgia - Pandora Yearbook (Athens, GA)

Page 16 text:

 Cbe Crustm of the University of Georgia ¥ ¥ GOVERNOR W. Y. ATKINSON. Ex Officio. Born at Oakland, Meriwether County, Ga. Received the rudiments of his education from his father and mother. Was prepared for college by his brother. Entered the University of Ocorgia. from which he was graduated with the class of 1877. Commenced the practice of law at Newnan. Ga. In 1879 was appointed by Governor Colquitt Solicitor-general of Coweta County Court. Represented Coweta County in the General Assembly from 1886 to 1894, being made Speaker of the House in his last term. Author of the bill creating the Georgia Normal and Industrial College. Elected Governor of Georgia in 1894. Re-elected in 1896. Was made a trustee of the University of Georgia in 1S90. DR. WILLIAM H. FELTON. From the State at Large. Born in Oglethorpe County. Ga., June 19. 1823. Entered Franklin College in 1836 and was graduated in 1842. Now resides in Bartow County, near Cartcrsville. Graduated from the Medical College at Augusta. Ga.. in 1844. In 1848 became a local minister of the Methodist church, in which capacity he devoted more than forty years of his best eflorts. Represented the Seventh Congressional District of Georgia, in the Forty-fourth. Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth Congresses. Represented Bartow County in the General Assembly for severat years, where he was instrumental in securing the enactment of many wholesome laws. Has been a trustee of the University of Georgia for many years. Term expires in 1899. u

Page 15 text:

successful and conscientious attorney and with scarce an equal in knowledge of the law. As representative of the people in the national councils he commanded the unbounded confidence of his constituents, achieved leadership among his colleagues of his own political faith and won the admiring respect, repeatedly and publicly expressed, of those of other political affiliations. lie was a valuable and useful member of the Constitutional Convention of 1865, and was recognized as the ablest of the leaders in the Convention of 1877. giving to our present Constitution, as the work of his hands, many of its best and wisest provisions, notably that which make? U the duty of the State to provide for higher as well as for elementary education. His public life hasT ccn without a stain, and his public acts without suggestion of reproach. Such a man, of such character and such reputation, might be expected to be an active supporter and firm friend of the University. Dr. Hammond -has more than met such expectation, for it w'ln his capacity as a member of the governing Hoard of the University that he has rendered most signal and most enduring service to his native State. Aside from the routine matters of administration, as Chairman of the Board through nine years of the most eventful and most critical period in the history of the University, it has been his duty to present to the people of the State and to their representatives in the legislature theclaimsof the University, to their respect, their confidence,and their support. Thisduty he .has performed, not only with matchless ability, but with such profound earnestness, straightforward candor and affectionate enthusiasm that he has achieved the remarkable record that in no instance has a legislative measure affecting the University, which he advocated or opposed, cither in Committee or in the General Assembly, failed of the issue for which he contended. This uniform respect which -haS TJeen accorded the counsels of Dr. Hammond by the representatives of the people lias been due, in part, to their absolute confidence in his scrupulous honesty in statement, his unselfishness in motive, and his patriotism in purpose, and, in part, to the logical clearness and simple clooucnce with wjjjgjh he presents his views. Dr. Hammond Is a zealous champion of the University, not only because he is a loyal son of his Alma Mater, but because he is a sincere patriot and because he is convinced that the honor and welfare of Georgia are inseparably boyruj up in the maintenance and prosperity of her chief institution of higher learning. His convictions profound and his auditors never fail to share them when he present them. Noteworthy history was made in Georgia on that day during the last session of the State Legislature when Dr. Hammond spoke to the representatives of the people in the name of their honored servants, the Trustees of the University, in behalf of the great institution whose affairs they were charged to administer, and demonstrated the duty of a republican government to sustain and foster the public institutions of learning—to make them worthy, to make them strong, and to make them free -from capstone to mudsill,” as befitting the enlightenment and the wisdom of a free people. In the face of his argument, his earnestness, and his eloquence, opposition to the University melted away as hoar frost before the sun, and even those whose other interests or personal views concerning details of administration had placed them apparently at variance, remembered that they were Georgians and united in gv£rting evil to Georgia’s institutions. MDr. Hammond rccogoizCT no “enemies of the University; hcoe not admit that a patriotic citizen m be such. He accords entire respect to the views of those from whom he differ? in matters of policy, and-wins their agreement to his own by honest statement and logical argument. His sincerity and his catholicity in the great cause of education arc shown by the fact that, in addition to his efforts in behalf of the University, he‘fe‘a regular contributor to the support of Emory College, the special institution of the denomination of which he is a member. All alumni and members of the University community do him honor, and all Georgians should hold him in honorable and grateful regard. — 13

Page 17 text:

Che trustees of the University of Georgia. Continued. W. E. SIMMONS. From the State at Large. Born at Lawrcnccvillc, Georgia. August 27th. 1839. Graduated at Emory College in the class of 1S5S. Volunteered in Confederate Army in July. 1861. Lieutenant of Company I Sixteenth Georgia Regiment, commanded by Howell Cobb. Afterwards appointed Captain of one of the companies of the Third Georgia Battalion Sharpshooters. After the war studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1866. Elected to the Legislature in 1870. Declined a renomination, and since that time has declined to accept any office. For ten years just past has been State Counsel for several corporations. At present one of the most successful practitioners in the State. Was appointed by Governor Atkinson Trustee of the University from the State at large to succeed Dr. H. V. M. Miller. F. G. DuBIGNOX. From the State at Large. Born at Woodvillc near Millcdgcville, Baldwin County. Georgia, at home of maternal grandfather. Hon. Seaton Grantland. July 25th. 1853 Under private tutor. Rev. Washington Baird; afterwards attended Virginia Military Institute at University of Virginia. Completed education in Germany. Came to Savannah bar 1875; 876 married Miss Caro Lamar, of Savannah. In 1877. upon the death of his father, returned to Milledgeville and engaged in practice of law with the late Robert Whitfield. Went to Legislature from Baldwin County in xS8o; 18S2 State Senator from Twentieth District and Chairman of Judiciary Committee; iSS came l ack to Savannah and 1S85 elected Solicitor-general of Circuit. In 1888 resigned office of Solici'or-general to accept nomination for Senate from First Senatorial District. Elected President of Senate 18SS and held the office for two years. Urged by friends but declined to enter gubernatorial race in 1S90; entered firm of Chisholm Erwin, general counsel of Plant System of Railways and Southern Express Co. In 1892 delegate at large to Democratic National Convention, which nominated Mr. Cleveland, and wasclectcd Chairman of the Georgia delegation in that convention. Remained out of politics until 1S96 when he ran against the late Speaker Crisp for United States Senate on the gold platform and was defeated; urged by friends to enter gubernatorial race this year but declined. Elected Chairman of State Executive Committee upon resignation of Senator Clay, on 18th of March. 1898. is