South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1877-01-12

he represented. All propositions for
internal improvements and public ~orks
found In him . xealous and energetic
supporter. and he vas held Ia the high
est esteem BY all parties.
A newspaper correspondent, speaking
Of him In 1853. says: -
A. T. CAssnrvs. or Nonroe. IA wig and he
| long enjoyed the eoo6descs Of ihsxhals- people
Of his section. He has never teen asssassa sor
osScs. Mr.. CAsxRrox 10 one o. abe AAndsausss
men In The Legislature. The ablsss member OF he
party on tie aoor. and woala make vufussis
| and useful member Of congfen.
During all this time Notwithstanding
his service in the Legislature and the
interest he took in politics. he not only
continued the practice Of his profession
with success. being engaged I'm almost
every important suit Ia his section of
the state, but found time to devote to
agriculture and stock-growing, OF which
he was very fond, AMI vas rcputed n
| mcng :he most successful in the State.
| lie Was also tho active friend and sup.
porter Of nearly nil important enter.
| prises projected and pnt in operation in
the southwestern portion OF Virginia.
He was one OF the most influential
directors in tho James River and Kama.
VIVA Canal, looked upon in that day and
time. as now, work OF national impor-
tance, its object being to Connect the
| waters Of the East and West, and fur.
nish means OF transportation between
the distant sections of the country.
In 1850 and 1851 lie was elected q
member OF the constitutional convention
of Virginia, and, like many prominent
members Of the whig party in the South.
was conservative-union man. aud op.
! posed secession until tho commence
ment Of actual hostilities, when he felt,
rs many others did, that his duty was
70 link his fortunes with those Of his
State. Ia 1882 he was elected by the
Legislature Of irginia as member OF
the Goa cderato States Senate. which
position he filled until the close OF the
war in 1865; after which he returned TO
his home. accepted the result OF the war
in good faith. and resumed the practice
Of his profession, devotine much Of his
tine and energies. as in the past, to the
opening up and developing the resources
OF West Virginia, particularly adverting
and bringing to the attention OF foreign
capitalists her fine coal, timber, and
! grazing lands; and in this direction he
accomplished much and his Efforts were
crowned with reasonable success.
On the 18th of FEBRUARY. 1875, after
spirited contest, he vas almost unani.
mously cleo ed n member OF this BODY
TO succeed Hon. Arthur /. Foreman. and
took his seat on the 4th OF March follow.
! Ing. Ills election was re seived with
! general satisfaction throughout the
| State. lie brought to the Senate great
strength OF q .aracter. maturel expert
! ence in public affairs, sound Judgment.
| amt an accurate knowledge Of the history
OF the Government and the necessities
OF the country, and particularly tho
| South. He had the liyelicst appreciation
of the responsibility resting upon Sen.
! ator and his duty TO the General Gov.
crnmcnt and his State. lie recognized
III the amplest manner that Oil issues
were dead and that glorious and pros
! porous future awaited the whole country
ifgood feeling could be restored between
the sections. His greatest concern and
! deepest anxiety was over the unsettled
condition OF our political affairs, and had
lie lived have no doubt his voice would
have been raised and energies exer.ed
in behalf of peace and. harmony.
Such Is brief outline Of the early life
and public services of my departed
colleague.
! For thitty-fve years. IL may he said,
he was constantly under the cyo OF the
! public, filling many important positions
Of trust and confidence TO which he had
! been elevated by the partiality OF his
! nei9hbors and fellow-citizcns. And
| during this long term Of public service.
! quite an ordinary lifetime, embracing
and covering as it does a period rs i'm
I portant, stirring. and exciting rs has
! occurred in our history as country, |
have the pride aud pleasure of recording
that his conduct and character was so
I pure. so high. and so elevated that Meth.
err suspicion nor faint ever rested on eth.
err; and in all Of his official acts and
/ doings. in his professional and business
dealings. lie did his duty we'll wronged
/ neither State or individual aud was uni.
/ formly just and honorable.
lie was man Of scholarly attain
ments. positive character. fixed princi.
! Piles, and strong convictions. despiser
! OF all tricks and MIRROR do0iJS, n sound
lawyer, modest anil reserved. though n
= ready debater, thoroughly versed in the
( history OF the country and politics. n
I lover Of tho Constitution and close
student Of its wise provis ons all OF
which was supplemented by large ex.
/ perienco with mon an1 affairs.
/ Thus thoroughly equipped by nature
and cultivation he came up TO our best
ideas OF ali American Senator and
| Statesman.
The term OF service OF Senator ca
pERToN as n member OF this body, loss
( than two years, was so short that there
was scarcely sufficient tune for bis az.
soclates TO know him we'll and under
stand his noble character; hat believe
| am authorized in saying that, oven
brief a. IL was he enjoyed the esteem