Hernando Money was an American newspaper editor, lawyer, and politician. He was a representative and senator from Mississippi.
Background
Hernando DeSoto Money was born on August 26, 1839, on a plantation in Holmes County, Mississippi, but in early childhood, his family moved to Carrollton. His father, Peirson Money, came from Buncombe County, North Carolina; his mother, Tryphena (Vardaman) Money, was a member of a pioneer Mississippi family.
Education
A private tutor directed part of Money's preliminary education. In 1860 he graduated from the law school of the University of Mississippi and began practice at Carrollton. With the beginning of the Civil War, he entered the Confederate infantry and served until his defective eyesight caused him to be furloughed. He then joined the cavalry and served to the end of the war.
Career
After the war, Money was for a time a planter in Leflore County. He then edited the Conservative at Carrollton and from 1873 to 1875 published the Advance at Winona. During the Reconstruction period, and particularly in the exciting times of 1875, he fought valiantly against the Carpet-bag régime, and his election to the lower house of the Forty-fourth Congress was an indication of the return of power to the native white people of the state. He continued to hold this office through five congresses. Though there was no opposition to his renomination, he retired to private life and practiced law at Washington. At the end of eight years, he was persuaded to represent his district once more and served through the Fifty-third and the Fifty-fourth congresses. In January 1896, he was elected by the legislature to fill the senatorial term beginning March 4, 1899. Between these two dates Senator J. Z. George died and Money was first appointed by the governor, and soon afterward elected by the legislature, to complete the term begun by George. He was reelected for a second term and was thus in the Senate from 1897 until 1911, his total congressional career covering almost twenty-eight years. He was never defeated for nomination or election to any office, though he was singularly independent in his political activities, apparently spending little time or thought on his political fences.
Money's death occurred at his home on the Mississippi coast. He was buried in the family vault at Carrollton.
Achievements
Money's long career in Congress, as well as his ability, brought him a number of important committee appointments. In the House he was a member of the committees on foreign affairs, naval affairs, and for two congresses served as chairman of the committee on post-offices and post-roads, where he displayed strong leadership in the destruction of the "star route" system, in reducing letter postage from three to two cents, and in promulgating the idea that the postal system should not be considered a source of revenue, or even expected to pay its own way.
Politics
Money was a member of the Democratic steering committee of the Senate and was on the finance and foreign relations committees.
Views
During his last years, Money was interested in the cause of peace and believed that it could be best attained by preparedness. He personally favored the Swiss method of military training and was contemplating a book on this subject.
Membership
a member of the Democratic steering committee of the Senate
Connections
On November 5, 1863, Money was married to Claudia Jane Boddie, of Hinds County; six children were born of this union.