conjunction with Judge William M. Reese and Hon. Samuel Barnett, and in consultation with Gen. Robert Toombs, Mr. G. J. Foreacre, and others; the Act of 1879, defining lobbying as a crime. Ex-Governor McDaniel has the satisfaction of knowing also that his career as a legislator and as Governor not only stands approved by a grateful people, but that his public services have never been discounted or tarnished by insinuation or charge of graft. And to-day in the remarkable vigor of his advanced years he is looked upon as one of Georgia's truest and most capable citizens. As trustee of the State University, a valued and potent force always, he has served the State for more than twenty years. He has been chairman of the board of trustees since 1899. His methods are marked by care and attention, for while he is generous and public spirited, he is prudent and conservative in his regard for the tax-payers' money. He was trustee from 1883 to 1890 of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Louisville, Ky. He was a Nor must his record as a soldier be omitted. young man, under twenty-five years of age, when he entered the Confederate Army as First Lieutenant, Company H, Walton Infantry, a part of the Eleventh Regiment of Georgia Infantry, and of Bartow's Brigade, later Anderson's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. He became Major of the Regiment in November, 1862. In July, 1863, he was wounded in the abdomen from which he suffered for months. He was captured and confined at Johnson's Island, Ohio, where he was held till July, 1865. Reports of Brigade and Regimental Commanders of Anderson's Brigade, at the battle of Gettysburg, touch upon events dear to the heart of Major McDaniel's family and friends, be cause this heroic soul spared nothing, neither love nor life ia those brave days of old. The story of the second Manassas battle and the Maryland campaigns would also bring prominently to view the patriotism and fortitude of Major McDaniel. but this modest veteran of the Confederate struggle has b^nt his energies to the service of his people and won laurels in the victories of peace. war. Ex-Governor McDaniel is pre-eminently a lawyer, and the superior quality of his legal mind has contributed largely to his usefulness in the various positions held during and since the He has been a director of the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company since May, 1878; a director in the High Shoals Manufacturing Company since January, 1875; director of the Georgia Railroad Bank, Augusta, since 1893; a director of the Walton Cotton Mill Company since 1900; a director oi Monroe Railroad Company since 1904; and a director in the Monroe Cotton Mills since 1896. Two Mrs. Governor McDaniel married Miss Hester C. Felker, daughter of Stephen Felker, of Monroe, Ga., December 20, 1865. children were born to them, both of whom are still living. McDaniel has been a loyal, loving helpmate to her distinguished husband, fitted by nature and culture to grace all the elevated positions to which success has led them. In their elegant home within the town limits of Monroe, they can look on scenes and places which have been familiar to both from early childhood, and realize the fact in its fullest significance that those who have known them longest still love them best. As wrote wise old William Penn: "He that does good for good's sake seeks neither praise nor reward, though sure of both at last." Mrs. W. H. FELTON. W William Senrp Flemtng. WILLIAM HENRY FLEMING, son of Porter and leste Ayer, daughter of Maj. W. Mr. William Henry Fleming's grandmother on his mother'9 side, was Miss Margaret Blanton Cain, of English ancestry on her father's side, and her mother was a granddaughter of Mrs. Margaret Blanton, of Virginia, who was related to John Randolph, of Roanoke. Mr. Fleming's great-grandfather, James Fleming, was one of five brothers who came to this country prior to the Revolution. The names of three of these brothers appear in the published rolls of the Continental Army from Georgia. Mr. Fleming's grandfather on his mother's side was Isaac Moragne. Isaac Moragne's father and his three older brothers fought under Gen. Andrew Pickens in the Revolution. His great-grandfather, Pierre Moragne,--French Huguenot,—headed a party of immigrants from France who landed at Charleston and settled at New Bordeaux, South Carolina, in 1764. William Henry Fleming, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm near Augusta. From twelve to fifteen years of age he did farm work in the fields with the plow and the hoe. This was after his father's reverses, consequent upon the war. He attended the common schools of the community for his primary education, and Richmond Academy for his higher training. He graduated at the University o£ Georgia in 1876, as a civil engineer, and was afterwards awarded the A.M. Degree. While at the University he received a medal as the best Junior debater, and while an under graduate, he took the medal for the best essay open to the University, and was chosen commencement orator. Mr. Fleming had difficulties to overcome in acquiring an education, as his school days came just in the midst of reconstruction troubles. He borrowed the money necessary to continue his college course from Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, and paid it back with legal interest. He acted as college postmaster at the University while a student there, and before graduation was made tutor on a small salary. He was compelled to this course to complete his college curriculum. He studied law in the office of Hon. John T. Shewmake, and was admitted to the bar in 1880. Mr. Fleming began the active work of life in 1877 as Superintendent of Public Schools in Richmond county, and the city of Augusta. He resigned this position to begin the practice of law in 1880. His prominence as a lawyer and a public man gained for him the presidency of the Georgia Bar Association in 1894-'95. He was a member of the State Legislature for eight consecutive years, from 1888 to 1895 inclusive. He was a member of the United States Congress for six years, from 1897 to 1903, and served on the Judiciary Committee the last four years. During his service in the State Legislature he was always a member of the General Judiciary and the Finance Committee, except when Speaker of the House. This latter position he held for the session 1894-'95. He was chairman of the Finance Committee for two years. It is not undue to say that Mr. Fleming originated and brought to successful issue quite as much important legislation in Georgia as any other man of the present generation. Not only has he been the author of some of our most important laws, but in the consideration of those introduced by others during his term in the House he was one of the most influential factors. He had a marked peculiarity in that he would never cast his vote in favor of any measure that had in it a germ of unconstitutionality, preferring always to go counter to the majority and risk his popularity rather than assist in the passage of an Act that was an infringe ment on the fundamental law of the State. His first valuable work was in originating and pushing through a bill providing when transfers and liens should take effect against third parties. Previous to this enactment loans on realty were exceedingly difficult to obtain from outside companies, and home people as well. It was not easy to determine when such loans were secure. Mr. Fleming's bill required the record at the clerk's office to show every fact to indicate a clear title. This relieved the situation and established confidence and opened up opjwrtunities that had been to a great extent closed for the lack of such security. In 1890 he introduced and had passed a bill reducing the hours of labor in factories from thirteen to eleven hours per day, or sixty-six hours per week. At the session of 1892-93 Mr. Fleming presented a bill that as a law has been of great value to the State in its application to the trial of criminals. It provided that criminal cases should go to the Supreme Court on fast bills of exceptions. By this method speedy trials were assured, and the operation of the law has been very beneficial, as now a final judgment can be secured in a few weeks, whereas, theretofore, it required six to twelve months. |