The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-12-15
LOCAL MATTERS.

THE CONSERVATIVE CoNRERENcE-NoMu-
NATION OF Mr.. EDWARD G.. BURKs AS JUDGE
OF THE SUPREME CoURT.-After the adjourn
ment OF the Generals sAssembly yesterday
the Conservative members Of the two houses
assembled In conference in the hail Of the
House for the purpose OF nominating q
candidate for the Supreme Bench to fill the
vacancy occasioned by the death Of Judge
Wood Bouldin; and county Judge for
Brunswick county. Senator W. D. Que7en-
berry presided, and Mr. Swami, of the
House, acted as secretary.
Upon the assembling of the conference
the Chair presented a petition signed by the
Republican members OF the General Assem-
bly, from the Southside asking to be admit
ted for the reason that the Judge Of the SUI
preme Court should come from that section,
and that they represented that portion OF
the State, or the greater part thereof.
DR.. Lawson presented resolution to the
effect that the Chair appoint committee of
three to inform the gentlemen that their re-
quest was unusual, and that the conference
declined their request.
On motion of Mr.. Davis, OF Petersburg,
the conference proceeded to nominate q
Judge for the County Court Of Brunswick,
and David S. Hicks was unanimously nomi-
mated.
The conference then proceeded to the
nomination OF judge Of the Court OF Ap-
peals, after first adopting resolution linn
lting speeches to ten minutes.
The Chair declared that it would take
seventy-three votes to nominate.
The conference then took a recess to 4
O'Clock P. NJ.
After recess, Mr.. G. 3. Duffield nominated
Mr.. T. j. Kirkpatrick, of Lynchburg.
Mr.. Edmunds, delegate from Halifax,
nominated Mr. James Alfred Jones, Of the
city Of Richmond.
Mr.. John N. Forbes, Of Fauquier, was
nominated by Governor William Smith.
Mr.. Tredway was nominated by Mr.
Witcher, OF the House.
Mr.. E. G. Burks was nominated by Mr..
Roland, and seconded by Mr. Marshall, SEN
ator from Craig, and Mr.. Berry, OF the House
of Delegates.
Mr.. Seawei, of Gloucester county, was
nominated by General w. B. Taliaferro.
Balloting was then commenced, the first
ballot resulting: Kirkpatrick, %; Jones,
81; Forbes, 10; Burks, %; Seawell, Z;
Coghill, 10; scattering, 3.
The second ballot resulted Kirkpatrick,
20; Jones, 35; Forbes, IS; Burks, "a;
Coghill, 81.
The third ballot resulted: kirkpatrick,
%: Jones, 3S; Burks, 33; Coghi)l, %.
The fourth ballot resulted: Jones, 81 !;
Coghill, 80; Burks, &c.
The fifth ballot resulted: Burks, 73;
Jones, So.
Mr.. Burks was declared the choice OF the
conference, and, on motion, his nomination
was made unanimous.
| Tho nor1o,1o thop adionrnn6
Edward Callowhill Burks, upon whom
the Conservative party has bestowed this
high honor, was born in the county Of Bed
ford on the Goth of May, 1921. He gradu.
ated at Washington College, and subse-
uuently attended the University OF Virgi.
mia, and graduated in the law school. I'M
mediately afterwards he commenced the
practice OF his profession IN his native
county, and has ever since resided there
During the war he was member OF the
Legislature. He has always been mucl
aYerse to office-holding, and when 1t was
first suggested that he ought to become
candidate for this iudgship he positively
declined to allow the use OF his name by
his friends, much less to use any efforts
of his own to obtain the nomination
Political places have been repeatedly prof
fered him, but preferring the pursuit OF bis
profession and the quiet OF his study to the
allurements of public life, he has steadfast
ly refused them. He was led to depart from
his fixed course in this respect by the per
suasions of such men as Judge WinStielt
and Colonel r. G. Fl. Kean, who, believing
that he possesses in an eminent degree thu
highest qualities for judicial position, made
him consent to accept il elected.
Those who know Mr.. Burks intimately
speak of him as man of great modesty ant
simplicity of character. They say as law
yer he is less remarkable for oratory thar
for fine, clear judgment, great logical pow
ers, and the ability in an extraordinary de
gree to view every case with which he ha
to deal with perfect calmness and impair
tiality.
Several members OF the Richmond bar
who are well acquainted with Mr.. Burk
(while indicating that Mr. Jones was theil
first cholce), said, in conversation last night
when the bar and the people came to know
Mr.. Burks more intimately they would con
firm the Judgment Of the caucus. He il
said especially to excel in the CHANGER.
practice.
Mr.. Burks resides at Liberty, and is
vestryman in the Episcopal church. Hi
brother, Mr.. Jesse Burks. OF Bedford, is
member OF the present House OF Delegates
The choice of the caucus will be con
firmed by the formal election in the tw'
houses to-day.