Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 3063tunate enough to obtain credit for a'year's board, he displayed his professionalshingle, and, while waiting for clients, he assisted the clerk in recording courtpapers. The first year his practice brought him only $212.00, which barelyenabled him to liquidate his debt. The second year he earned $474.00, and healso undertook the repurchase of the old home place, buying a few acres at atime. He brought the family back from Augusta and, taking up his abode inthe household, he thought nothing of the brisk three mile walk which stretchedbetween the town and the farm. Clients slowly but steadily increased in number, and fees grew by substantial multiples until his yearly income aggregated$12,000.00. In the meantime he won the happiest of all his suits by leadingto the altar' Miss Georgia Durham, who became his ideal helpmeet and companion. This was in 1878. . She brought him no dowry of dollars, but she hasbeen an ever-present inspiration at his fireside and in his life.It was in 1882 that Mr. Watson was sent to the State Legislature. Theyear following-he was a delegate to the gubernatorial convention. He opposedthe renomination of Governor Colquitt, and in an impromptu speech whichwas less than ten minutes long, the clarion voice and the boylike figure of theyoung orator fairly stormed the assemblage. It recalled the dramatic debutof Mr. Stephens in 1836 and announced the arrival of another tribune.But we cannot linger upon the dramatic episodes of Mr. Watson's eventfulcareer. Only the most cursory review can be taken. In 1888 he was electorfrom the state at large on the democratic ticket and stumped the state forCleveland on the platform of tariff revision. The prestige derived from thiscampaign resulted in his subsequent election to Congress, the returns fromthe ballot box giving him every aeunty in the district except his competitor's,in which he made no 'contest.It was at this time that the Farmers Alliance began to emerge. Mr. Watsonwas not a member of this organization, but he felt that his election was duein a large measure to the agricultural interests of his district; and when thefarmers in national conclave urged every congressman who was in sympathywith them to stand by the principles of the order, regardless of party affiliations, he felt bound in honor to respect this appeal. It came from the ranksof the toiling masses. He knew only too well the burdens under which theystruggled. It was a period of great financial stress, for the cotton crop, whichclothed the world, was bringing them only the merest pittance. To makebuckle and tongue meet and to keep the wolf from the door was the difficultproblem of many humble homes. The farmers made up the rank and file ofthe democratic party in his district, and to the cause of the oppressed yeomanryhe devoted both his time and his talent. On returning home, at the close ofthe session, he was met at the station by an enthusiastic host that for twohours cheered to the echo his arraignment of the democratic party, which hecharged with having forsaken the doctrines of Jefferson.For taking this bold stand he was, of course, assailed by all who adheredto the democratic organization; and, the district having been "gerrymandered" in advance of the approaching election, he was not returned "toCongress. But he carried every one of the old counties that still remainedin the district, except Richmond, in which he claimed that ballot box fraudshad been committed.This ended the congressional service of Mr. Watson, but during his tenureof office he built an enduring memorial to his statesmanship in placing uponthe statute books the law that provides for the present free delivery systemin the rural districts, besides stamping his impress upon other importantenactments.The panic of 1893 was the culminating disaster in the catalogue of evilsthat aroused the "embattled farmers." To Mr. Watson it was like theimperious call of another Lexington. It summoned him once more to thefront; and from this time he devoted himself heart and soul to the movement