Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 24.pdf/415

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378

The Green Bag

any superiors in the state. The judges of the bench, the attorneys of the bar, and his clients all had the utmost con fidence in his integrity, ability and sincerity. The esteem in which he was held by the bar of the state cannot be better shown than by reference to his election as president of the State Bar Association at its last session in 1912. His legal ability is made apparent by reference to the reports of the cases decided by the Supreme Court of the state, in many of which he appeared as counsel, very prominent among them being the case of Sternberger v. C. F. & Y. V. Railroad, wherein the jurisdiction of the state courts in matters of interstate commerce was first judicially established, and in the determination of which he was largely instrumental. The confidence of his clients was shown by the large and lucrative practice which he enjoyed during his long career of forty years at the bar. As an advo cate he so far excelled as to win for him self the soubriquet of the "Little Giant of the Pee Dee." His manner in the court room was especially pleasing, and his beauty of speech, courtliness of address, and power of oratory were the envy of his brother-members of the bar. In political life he was equally active, and to as great extent held the confi dence of the whole people. In his early years he was made the mayor of the town of his adoption. Later he was elected Probate Judge, and subsequent ly was called upon to represent his county both in the House of Represen tatives and the Senate, in which he ranked and was regarded as second to none. His energy, power and ability were ever directed in those matters which tended toward the welfare of his state, and he was equally strenuous in opposing measures which he deemed

improper and detrimental to the best interests of his people. He enjoyed the distinction of being twice called upon by special selection to make the nominating speeches for two Governors of the state of South Caro lina, Hugh S. Thompson and J. P. Rich ardson, a privilege regarded as one of unusual honor and compliment. With the former especially he was very intimate and served upon his staff with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. At this time he was in his palmiest days, and was in direct line of promotion when the political revo lution of 1890 displaced him and robbed him of his. well-merited reward. Great as Colonel Livingston was as a lawyer, successful as he was as a ser vant of the state in a political capacity, he will be remembered by those who came in contact with him more lastingly as a private citizen. Being a man of broad ideas, a scholar of unusual learn ing, a conversationalist of unusual abil ity, and feeling a deep interest in all mankind, it is little wonder that he had hosts of friends whose great delight was to come in contact with him and feel the impress of his charming personality and obtain the encouragement, instruc tion and good-will that resulted from meeting such a character. To say that he was genial hardly conveys a true conception of him. He was more. It was a pleasure to meet him. Being a great reader, and having an unusually retentive memory, he was a fountainhead of information for his friends. His home was a place of culture, purity and refinement, largely due to his high ideals of his duty toward those who dwelt there and to those who, on frequent occasions, were its guests. Truly it may be said that his death was a loss to his community, his state and his profession. He was buried with Masonic honors,