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John Austin Moon (1855-1921) |
Official Biography
(Biography taken from Biographical Dictionary of Congress available online
at http://bioguide.congress.gov/)
MOON, John Austin, a Representative from Tennessee; born near Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Va., April 22, 1855; moved with his parents to Bristol, Va., in 1857 and then to Chattanooga, Tenn., in 1870; attended private and public schools and King College, Bristol, Tenn.; studied law; was admitted to the bar in March 1874 and commenced practice in Chattanooga, Tenn.; city attorney of Chattanooga in 1881 and 1882; member of the State Democratic executive committee in 1888; was commissioned in May 1889 as special circuit judge, twice reappointed, and held the office until January 3, 1891; appointed regular judge for the fourth circuit and served until August 1892; elected circuit judge in 1892; reelected in 1894 for a term of eight years but resigned when elected to Congress; elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-fifth and to the eleven succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1897-March 3, 1921); chairman, Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads (Sixty-second through Sixty-fifth Congresses); delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1900; was renominated for Congress in 1921, but before election was taken ill and died in Chattanooga, Tenn., June 26, 1921; interment in Forest Hill Cemetery.
Moon’s Career One of Long Distinguished
Service
(reprinted from Chattanooga News-Free Press 06/27/1921)
Leader’s End Came Sunday Morning-Practiced Law Here at Age of 20-His Twenty-four Years in Congress of Great Service to the Nation.
John Austin Moon ended a life of distinguished service at his residence, Oak street and Central Avenue, at an early hour Sunday morning.
He was a man of such depth of character that it could not be measured by any casual soundings. For this reason, he has not been fully understood, even by his home people, and will not be until the passing of years shall have given a clear and prejudice-free viewpoint. Beyond doubt, he was destined to become a great judge, had he not been impelled to a wider and more stirring field of usefulness by his political and personal ambitions.
While on the bench he evinced certain rugged, stalwart traits of character as a jurist, which had only begun to attract attention when they were lost sight of in large sense by the attention he began to attract as a hard-working, conscientious, influential member of congress.
He was born April 22, 1855, in Albemarle county, Virginia, the son of William Franklin Moon. When but a year old his father moved to Georgia, and later to Alabama when the judge was 13 years old.
The future congressman was educated in the Alabama public schools and King’s college, Bristol. He was admitted to the bar in Alabama at the age of 19 years, and came to Chattanooga and began to practice law when only 20 years of age.
It is a truth not very widely known that Judge Moon was admitted to the bar of Alabama at the age of 19, and to the Tennessee bar before he was of age. He came to Chattanooga in 1874, and began to practice law without a partner, his first office being in the old Clippinger building in the west side of Market street between Eight and Ninth. His first law partner was the suave and erudite Col. Lawrence S. Marye, who had previously been a partner with the late P.A. Brawner, with the firm style of Marye & Brawner. Later, Moon formed a partnership with Maj. E.M. Dodson, the firm name being Dodson & Moon. Other lawyers with whom he was associated with were the late E.S. Daniels and the present chancellor Hon. W.B. Garvin.
At the age of 26, Mr. Moon became City Attorney of Chattanooga, and proved an efficient officer. In 1889 he was appointed circuit judge by the governor to succeed the veteran Judge D.C. Trewhitt, whose death had made the office vacant. In 1892 he was elected to the office, defeating the late Maj. Charles R. Evans in a most spirited contest. This election was for a short term, and in 1894 he was again elected, this time defeating the late Col. W.J. (“Joe”) Clift. This was a notable contest, Col. Clift proving himself a strong man before the people, notwithstanding common knowledge that his talents and testes were much more for the field of advocacy than for the bench.
Judge Moon served until his election to congress in 1896, when he defeated Hon. Foster V. Brown. There he remained in continuous service for twenty-four hears. His congressional career was as faithful and as untiring as it was successful, and which brought him lasting prominence in the nation’s affairs.
Distinguished Jurist
He was jurist of exceptional attainments. His career upon the bench was marked
by conspicuous success. He was what is spoken of as a constitutional lawyer,
measuring the merits of every controversy by the great underlying principles
of law which he understood so well and which it was his delight to study and
to expound.
Went to Congress in 1896
After Judge Moon had been in congress long enough to become seasoned and acquire
important committee assignments, he began to attract the attention of both
political parties. Particularly did he gain attention from Hon. Joe G. Cannon
when he was speaker of the house, and it was not long before he was in truth
a national figure. He had become that long before the homefolks realized it,
and on two great committees was a commanding personage. These were the rivers
and harbors and postoffices and post roads. When he became chairman of the
latter by seniority, he took place as one of the most important members of
congress. He held the chairmanship and the full measure of strength and importance
rightfully belonging to it until the change of administration in 1921.
The lock and dam at Hale’s bar, which has done so much both for commerce and for industry, and which will confer increasing benefits upon his home community for many generations, was one of his important achievements; but his work was a comprehensive as it was untiring. He had his generous share in every feature of the undertaking which is to make the Tennessee river a great artery in the world’s commerce.
He more than any other man, is responsible for the comprehensive scheme to promote its navigation, which is now nearing completion.
What is perhaps his most distinguished service was rendered through the committee on postoffices and post roads. Beginning with a place upon this important committee, he rose to be its chairman, and the term of his service in that capacity is marked by the most far-reaching innovations which the postal service has known.
Drew R.F.D. Bill
He drew the bill which provided for rural free delivery. He drew the bill
which established the parcel post. He drew the bill which added aviation to
postal facilities. These are but the outstanding features of a service which
was noted for its high order of intelligence and faithfulness to a constituency.
But it was not in public matters alone that Judge Moon won and retained his eminence. His was a strong personality that made and kept its place among his neighbors. Warm-hearted and loyal to his friends almost to a fault, his generous helpfulness cost him many a sacrifice. Many a time he seemed to jeopardize his political career through his unswerving loyalty. Many at time he suffered financial loss when he could ill afford it, that he might shield a friend.
Loved His Farm.
His tastes were simple. He loved the country, the country people, their environment
and their pursuits. His happiest hours were spent upon his farm. He liked
to adorn it, to add to its conveniences, to bring it to higher cultivation
and greater usefulness. His tenants thought of his land as their own, and
he helped them to use it much more for their personal benefit than for his
own.
Married Miss Deaderick.
Judge Moon was married in his early manhood to Miss Adeline Deaderick, who,
with their children, W.D. Moon and Annie M. Moon, survive him. He leaves two
sisters: Mrs. Hattie Chauncer and Miss Willie Moon, both of this city.
He lived a life of untiring endeavor. He fought for what he won. Exceptionally frank and fearless, he sometimes took what seemed the unpopular side of controversies; but he took it boldly and with an earnestness and conviction that often brought the people to his side.
Loyal to Party.
A democrat by tradition and conviction, he was unswerving in loyalty to his
party. But that loyalty never led him into the tricks of politics; nor did
it decrease the respect of political opponents. No other man of his party
has ever received so many republican votes in the Third congressional district.
No other man had ever received equal honors at the hands of the people of that district. He passes, after a life of rare usefulness, honored alike in public and private life, and attended by the affection of the community he served.
Funeral Announcement.
The funeral services were held at the residence, 1000 Oak street, at 3 p.m.
Monday. The pallbearers were W.B. Garvin, W.D. Spears, W.F. McGaughey, R.B.
Davenport, Charlton Howell, George T. White, G.W. Chamlee, E.R. Betterton,
Sr., W.E. Brock, E.Y. Chapin.
Dr. J.W. Bachman will officiate.
Foe to Shams.
Many times while on the bench, Judge Moon proved himself a stalwart foe to
sham, peculation, abuse of power and all petty persecution under the cloak
of official authority. In those days the circuit judge held criminal courts.
In the trial of a case before him it was developed that one of our most popular
police officials; a man who was his personal and political friend, had cruelly
clubbed a prisoner. Judge Moon fined him to the limits of his constitutional
power, and in administering his rebuke said: “This practice of policemen
clubbing prisoners on the head has to stop, or we will have some of the officers
in the penitentiary. It is cruel, inhuman, and too often unnecessary.”
Oppressed Fee Grabbing.
At one time, during a season of unemployment, many men came to the city, along
the Cincinnati Southern and Western & Atlantic tracks, in most cases it
was generally believed, honestly seeking employment. But some of them of course,
were tramps, and this fact gave excuse to a class of deputy sheriffs and constables
known in the parlance of the time as “nighthawkers,” for a regular
campaign of night arrests. Judge Moon noted the swelling tide of cost bills
and instituted an investigation. He charged in open court that certain officers
were actually camping at night, along these rights-of-way, and arresting unfortunates
indiscriminately for the fees alone and with no concern about the public welfare
or the consideration of justice. He gave notice that in all cases of this
character thereafter, bills of costs would be disallowed, and that a close
scrutiny of all such arrests would be made, with the purpose of administrating
punishment to any officers who were detected in the abuse indicated. It proved,
for the time being at least, a death blow to nighthawking.
On another occasion, some photographs of prisoners where introduced on evidence. Judge Moon’s suspicious were aroused that an abuse had been practiced, and directed that the pictures he handed to him. He questioned prisoners and officers, and on discovering that the photographs had been taken against the wishes of the prisoners, in fact by a species of “third degree” procedure, he tore up the photographs on the bench and threw down the pieces, delivering one of the most scathing lectures on what he considered a gross abuse, ever heard from the lips of a judge in Tennessee.
Decided Views.
Judge Moon had very decided views upon certain constitutional questions relating
to the relative rights and powers of the states and the federal government,
which sometimes led to interesting consequences. A young man was arrested
for desertion from the United State army. His father came from a nearby state
and instituted habeas corpus proceedings before Judge Moon, on the ground
that the enlistment was void, the young man having been married at the time.
The defense was that if such were the truth the soldier had falsely stated
his status at the time of enlistment and had committed an offense against
the United States. To meet the possible exigency of release by Judge Moon
the United States attorney procured a writ from Judge D.M. Key, of the United
Sates district court, directing that the man be produced in his court for
a hearing upon the questions involved, and when Judge Moon did, in fact, release
him, the United States marshal promptly took him in charge. It was a most
interesting conflict of jurisdiction. Of course rendered the more so by the
fact that these two judges being Chattanooga men, neighbors, and friends.
On another occasion Judge Moon entertained this same question by granting the writ of habeas corpus and releasing some men who had been convicted of “moonshining” in Judge Key’s court. The latter met the issue, this time, by ordering all federal prisoners transferred to the jail or another county, and this put an end to the controversy.
It is probable that not a man could be found in the congressional district, no matter of what party or degree, who could say that he ever wrote Judge Moon a letter on congressional business and failed to receive a prompt courteous reply. He had a wonderful grip upon his rural constituency, and in both rural and urban communities broke down party lines more than any other man in the district has ever done.
Personally, he was suave, kind-hearted; a real man of the people. While aggressive as a lion upon occasion he was modest in marked degree in his general character. It is, of course, a well known fact that congressmen furnish their own data for congressional directory biographical sketches, and the average of them are liberal in the amount furnished. Look in any directory of late year for the sketch of John Austin Moon one will find it embodied in four and a half lines.
Telegrams of Sympathy.
Postmaster Charlton Howell received the following telegram from Maj. W.J.
Bass Monday:
“Governors Island, N.Y., June 27.
“Charlton Howell, Postmaster, Chattanooga, Tenn.:
“Tennessee, especially Chattanooga, has lost a valued friend by the
death of Judge Moon. Please express to his family my sympathy and sincere
regrets. I sorrow with them and his legions of friends.
“W.J.Bass”
Mr. Howell also received similar telegrams from former Postmaster-General Burleson, Congressmen Joe Byrn, and Joe Brown and Senators Shields and McKellar and former First Assistant Postmaster-General John C. Koons.
Tribute of Friends.
“John A. Moon was one of, it not the ablest, congressmen from the south
or any other section of the country,” declared Capt. C.A. Lyerly, president
of the First National Bank, in paying high tribute to the beloved Chattanoogan,
whose death Sunday proved a shock to the entire country.
“He was one of the few big politicians whose name had never been mentioned in connection with a single shady transaction during his long period of public life. I have known him intimately for twenty-five years. He was a man of the very highest moral character in every way. He was always to come to the assistance of a friend in need, and to my certain knowledge, he has paid our more than $50,000 in the past twenty-five years in security debts without a single murmur.”
“In the death of Judge Moon one of our great men has passed from earth, a distinct loss to this community, to this state and to the south. His long period of public service was marked with ability, sound judgment and honest purpose. The imprint of his life for good will be felt by future generations.”-Judge S.D. McReynolds.
“The passing of Judge Moon removes one of the strongest men who had figured in public life for the last quarter of a century. He was intellectual, bold and honest. He was not a local congressman, but rather a national figure. The country will miss his wise counsel and the democratic party loses a bold and aggressive advocate.”-E.H. Williams.
“The state, south, and nation have lost a splendid citizen in the death of Judge John A. Moon and his death will be received with universal regret.”-Judge Oscar Yarnell.
“Judge Moon was an able and distinguished member of the local bar. As a member of the lower house of congress he was signally honored by his associates. His influence was not gained by long service but by ability and fidelity. His influence extended not alone among the democrats, but he was admired and respected by the republicans. His record as chairman of the postoffice and post roads committees is a great monument to his ability and influence. His most notable achievement in public life was the report of the subsidy to railroads, which congress established after the postoffice and post roads committee had recommended to the contrary. The members of the house relying on Judge Moon’s judgment and ability alone.”-W.R. Swaney.
“The state and nation have lost one of their most distinguished citizens and this community one its most beloved citizens. Judge moon’s influence was wide, and while a member of congress he was one of his party’s leaders, his advice and counsel being sought on every question of importance. His death will be felt keenly both here and in Washington.”-State Senator Eugene Bryan.
“I was a great admirer of Judge Moon and had great confidence in his ability and integrity. His success in life was due to his bold and fearless stand on all public matters of importance. The state and nation will miss him much.”-Judge Sam A. Conner.
Tender Tribute to Judge Moon
(reprinted from Chattanooga News-Free Press 06/27/1921)
Solemn, Sad Ceremonials Feature Funeral of This Distinguished Citizen.
Better Than Riches
Dr. Bachman Describes a Man From Biblical View as More Precious Than Gold.
Burial at Forest Hills
Great Throng Attends Services in Memory of Statesman and Jurist.
The last sad rites over the body of Judge Moon were held at his late residence Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock. Chattanoogans in all walks of life were present to pay their respects to the beloved dead. They were bowed in sorrow over the passing of this good man who had served his community, state, and country so long. The mass of beautiful flowers bore silent testimony to the love and esteem in which Judge Moon was held. Out of respect to the memory of the distinguished statesman, Judges S.D. McReynolds and Oscar Yarnell adjourned their courts Monday morning, and other offices in the courthouse closed at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. Members of the Chattanooga Bar Association attended the funeral in a body.
Dr. J.W. Bachman, of the First Presbyterian church, Chattanooga’s venerable and dearly loved pastor, conducted the solemn and deeply impressive service, paying touching tribute to Judge Moon.
Taking his text from that passage of the Scriptures, “I will make a man more precious than fine gold,” Dr. Bachman said God’s idea of value was something better than riches-it was manhood. “God does remarkable things in an ordinary way” he declared. “Judge Moon was a remarkable man. He accepted early in life and recognized his place. He used the powers God had given him honestly, fully and conscientiously. It takes two to make a man. Man can’t do it by himself, neither can God. He works in man and man must work out. Judge Moon recognized this in his early years. With the material and resources given him, he worked hard. It is a pleasure to me, in looking over the years of my ministry here, to see how many men and women have filled their places and moved upward into higher and better positions for themselves and for the good of the community.”
Judge Moon, Dr. Bachman stated possessed strength of character, mind and heart. Righteousness, he declared was the main thing in the judge’s life and work-he was a faithful servant, with sincere devotion to the welfare and good of the people he served for ten years on the bench and twenty-four years in the great council of the nation.
Dr. Bachman spoke feelingly of Judge Moon’s devotion to duty and fidelity to principle, saying that these things made him more valuable than gold. “I know,” said the beloved minister, “that he left a heritage to our young men and to others. He possessed character that stood for truth and righteousness. In his political life he believed in the simple and plain elements of democracy. He loved his country. He was a patriot and statesmen.”
Speaking of Judge Moon’s religious faith, Dr. Bachman referred in a feeling way to a conversation he had with him a short time ago in which the judge told him he believed in God and the Word, and was trying to live his faith in his work for the country and his fellowmen.
Judge Moon was laid to rest in Forest Hills Cemetery. W.B. Garvin, W.D. Spears, W.F. McGaughy, R.B. Davenport, Charlton Howell, George T. White, G.W. Chamlee, E.R. Betterton, Sr., W.E. Brock, and E.Y. Chapin serving as pallbearers.
Last Updated: January 8, 2008
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