The Marlin Democrat
Marlin, Texas, Thursday, April 7, 1904
ABOUT JAMES
HACKETT
~~~~~
(Austin Texan.)
~~~~~
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.