University of Virginia - Corks and Curls Yearbook (Charlottesville, VA)

Page 12 text:

8 Qlurks anti Earls 1915 Senate in I908. He quickly forged his way to the front. He was leader of the Democratic party and its candidate for Speaker in the fifty-eighth, fifty- ninth and sixtieth Congresses, and recognized as a man apt to lead and worthy to be followed; In 1907 he received the nomination by popular vote for Senator and was elected January let, I908, by the Legislators of Mississippi to hold the place once occupied by Jefferson Davis, at whose desk in the Senate, it is said, Williams now sits. He is a member of Foreign Relations Committee, and of the Finance Committee which reported the Tariff Bill of 1913. He was temporary Chairn man of the Democratic N ational Convention, I904, and member of the same Convention in 1912 as delegate at large from Mississippi, having previously served in the Convention of I892. He is at present President of the General Alumni Association of the University, and a member of the Virginia Beta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. He has found time amidst his busy political life to write an able volume on The Permanent InHuence of Thomas Jeffer- son on American Institutions. - In the serener atmosphere of the Upper Chamber Senator Williams has had little opportunity to engage in the forensic fray which was his delight in the Lower House, but he has taken the place which naturally belongs to him and is recognized as one of the leaders of Democracy whose talent and ability will carry the great principles of the party to ultimate success. His Alma Mater in ranking him amongst her great sons feels that years of usefulness await him and that she may expect him to increase his fame by future service to his country and thus add laurels to her crown as he adds them to his own. R. T. W. DUKE, JR. g E FALMA'MATER'ALVMNVM'SALVTAT- l g E ; 4.... m . . X. l a x? i ii I J!

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rfi s ILlr a u rx' A a n u QT. urlz f 7' 1915 QED rk5 Williams was a member of the iHeft, as the Jefferson Literary Society was then known. He took much interest in the debates in the latter Society and doubtless laid then the foundation of the readiness and power in debate which has since characterized him. He did not apply for an academic degree, but graduated in several of the schools. In Moral Philosophy under that great teacher, Wm. H. McGuffey, he easily ranked. first in a class made up of the best students in the University. Doctor McGuffey always offered a prize for his best scholar and Williams won it hands down,' in the last class which graduated under the teaching of this professor. It was his rule to require his students to read to him their papers on the final examination and the present writer and Williams were in the old gentleman's study undergoing that ordeal. Williams preceded the writer and his paper was absolutely flawless. After he left the room the Doctor turned to the writer and with that peculiar shake of his head few of his students fail to remember, remarked, iiA wonderful young man. Pity there were not more like him in my class. He ought to accomplish a great deal in the future. And Williams has fulfilled the old Doctor's prophecy. He left the University and spent some time in Heidelberg University, Germany. Returning to the University of Virginia he studied law under John B. Minor. He resumed his activities in The Jeff, and was the success- ful candidate for the debatefs medal, his opponent being one of his friends. Debaters were elected by popular Vote then and the writer well remembers the stormy politics of those days, he being the unsuccessful candidate for the debatefs medal in WThe Wash --the Washington Literary Society- losing that honor by the deciding vote of the President, he and his oppor- nent tying on the floor. Party spirit ran high in those days. Caucuses were held with kegs of beer and Hotopp,s Catawba as attractive features, and fun and frolic alternated with combinations of candidates and all the- tricks and devices of the shrewdest politiciansethough absolutely fair play and open, honest methods were always the order of the dayeand night. Into this race Williams entered with the zeal and earnestness which has always been one of his marked characteristics. He won not only on account of his popularity, but as the recognized ablest debater in the Societyenot always the case. On leaving the University Williams was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 1877 and subsequently to the Mississippi Bar at Yazoo, where he practiced law and engaged in the business of cotton planting. In 1892 he was elected a member of the lifty-seventh Congress and was reElected, once unanimously, to every Congress thereafter, until elected to the 3

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We .,,, -M... - t 1915 Entks anti alums 9' To Alma Mater Hour adds to hour, and on time flies- Day fades to day- No memory of our college dies Or sinks away. But every restless minute spent Within those malls has brought content. Beneath the fabric of our life, The building stone In the foundation, is our college strife. There manhoodis sown! t' The youth sees beckoning from above 5 His Alma Matefs hope and love. Oh, mother of our growing years, Who trained our mind, To thee may age be bright, and Fate Be ever kinde Increase thy sons, and write thy name 2'9 , Immortal in the Halls of Fame! L. H. B.