The Marlin Democrat
Marlin, Texas, Thursday, April 7, 1904

ABOUT JAMES HACKETT
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(Austin Texan.)
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     Five years ago a crude, green country boy from Falls county entered the University. There wasn't much about him that would couse comment except his greenness and the fact that he gripped your hand like a man and looked you straight in the eye when he shook hands with you, which showed plainly that he wasn't afraid of anything or anybody on earth. He entered the University after Christmas, and after his class had already done one term's work - and yet he made up all that back work and graduated with his class and still had one-half year's work more than the other members of his class to his credit. That boy was James E. Hackett, who announced as a candidate for the legislature the other day; and the general sentiment of the student body seems to be that Jim is going to be elected next July. You see, Jim Hackett has been here with us for five years and in that timee, by, his indomitable energy and his "never-give-up iveness" he has impressed the student body with the fact that he can do most anything he wants to. He was never known to cry "calf rope". When once he sets his head to do anything, he goes right ahead with it to the very end. He may not always win, but he will die fighting in the last ditch. And that's why we think he will win in his coming race for the Legislature.
     When Jim Hackett entered the University of Texas on Jan. 1, 1900, he was about as green and unsophisticated as any youth we've ever had down here. But that greenness didn't last long. It soon wore off, and today he is one of the foremost men in college - recognized by all who know him as a solid, sound, wholesome, honest fellow. In the five years that he has been here it is safe to say that he has made as many if not more friends than any other man in college. For Jim, you see is one of those fellows who make friends without trying and who never seem to have any enemies if anybody should try to find an enemy of Jim Hackett among the students of this university, he would have to use a microscope to do so, and then if he should find one, the enemy would be so small that he would have to keep that microscope focused on him all the time in order to see the little fellow. For all big people like Jim Hackett it's only the little fellows that don't.
     Jim Hackett graduated from the Marlin High School in 1897 at the age of 15 He is the youngest graduate that the Marlin High School has ever had. He did not come to the University immediately after his graduation at this school, but went to work on the farm, where he remained for two years. Shortly after he entered the University he joined the Rusk Literary Society, His first appearance before the members of this society was an absolute failure; Did he give up then? Not much, He went to work with redoubled energy. He determined to redeem himself and wipe out that, failure. This spirit is characteristic of him throughout. He never gives up. What was the result? He became one of the best speakers in college.  He was elected to the position of vice-president and then president of the Rusk Literary Society. He represented the Rusk Society in the intel society debate and was chosen to represent the university of Texas as alternate in the debate with Colorado two years ago. Next he became president of the Oratorical Association, then vice president and president of the Student's Association - the highest honor within the gift of the student body. He graduated in the spring of 1903 and was unanimously elected by the Senior Class to preside on Class Day during commencement when so many visitors from all over the state are here - an honor that is second only to the presidency of the Students' Association. And this year he was elected business manager of the Magazine.
     That is the record of the man who has announced as a candidate for the legislature, and that is the kind of man the legislature needs. He is alive, wide awake, and simply full of energy. As a speaker he shines in argument rather than in oratory, although he is no pigmy in the latter; and as an extempore speaker he is the readiest and happiest in college His knowledge of parliamentary law is simply wonderful and far superior to that of any other man in school, In University politics he has always been upright and straight as an arrow. He has always fought hard for what he believed to be right, regardless of anything else. Jim Hackett is one of those fellows with whom honor is religion, and he resolutely keeps her laws, uncaring consequences.
     But the best thing about Jim Hackett is his simplicity. If there ever was a fellow who is "of the people and for the people," the answer is, Jim Hackett. There is a story told on him that illustrates the man exactly. When school turned out two years ago Jim left Austin and reached his at ten o'clock one night. The next morning, bright and early, Jim was up and out following the plow. It went a little hard at first, blisters began to form in his hand, but he kept on all day, and his row was straight, too, Every thing that Jim does is straight. And when the sun went down that day Jim was still following that plow, tired sore and hungry-but determined to go through to the end, And that's Jim - a fellow who never quits; a fellow who never cries "calf rope" - a man "of the people and for the people." Here's luck to you, Jim. We hope you'll win, for you deserve to and the legislature needs a man like you.

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for printing by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas.