The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-03-04
suDaE or IIUsTINGs coURT.
E,ec,,on Of george i. chr,as.an. Esq.
ANIMATED DEBATEs IN THE SENATE AND
HOUSE of. DELEGAIEs--A QUESTION
y RAISED AS TO WHICH OF THE TWO CAN
DrDATEs WAS THE CHOICE OF THE PEo-
PIE OF RICHMOND.

III
and Colonel Thomas III. Carter as Railroad
Commissioner, they proceeded to choose a
Judge for the Hastings Court OF Richmond,
to fill the vacancy made by the death of
Judge Guigon. The two gentlemen
urged for the position were Mr.. George
T.. Christian and James Neeson, Esq. =.
the former clerk OF the Supreme Court OF
Appeals and president OF the Common
Council; the latter a distinguished men,
Der OF the Richmond bar and formerly
al prominent member OF the Legislature
from one OF the counties now, in the
State of West Virginia. A great crowd
of people filing the rotunda and occu-
pying all the seats in the galleries OF
theftwo houses, and the animated canvass
for votes made by friends Of the two gem
tlesgen attested the interest felt in the re-
suit. An unusual length Of time was spent
in each house discussing the merits Of the
aspirants, and about quarter-past4 O'Clock
the vote was taken, resulting in the election
Of Mr.. Christian. The proceedings are
given in detail. F. s-.F5
IN THE SENATE.
For the juS.seship OF the Hastings Court
OF the city OF Richmond Mr.. TANNER nom
mated Mr.. George L.. Christian, the present
efficient clerk OF the Supreme Court OF Ap-.
pea!s. Mr.. TANNER passed a high eulogium
upon Mr.. Christians character, and said he
was universally beloved aud respected in
our community, and, above all, isa Chris
tian gentleman. !
Mr.. MASSEY said a few years ago he had
the pleasure OF Seconding the nomination.
of the lamented Judge Guigon. He felt
his death as q State calamity, and after hay
ing canvassed the question fully he took
pleasure o-day in seconding the nomination
OF George l.. Christian as coming near filing
the place held by the late Judge Gulgon.
Mr.. PAUL nominated MIR. James Neeson,
member OF the bar OF Richmond.
Slr. DANIEL seconded the nomination OF
Mr.. Christian, and made beautiful little
speech, in which he very truly described
MIR. Christians ability as lawyer, his spot
less private character, and his peculiar fit
ness for the office which his friends seek to
impose upon him.
MIR. PHLEGAR said he had intended to ex-
press the same idea that had been expressed
by Mr.. DANIEL, but what he had said had
been so well chosen that be thought It hardly
necessary to add anything
MIR. PHLEGAR spoke very handsomely OF
Mr.. Christians character, both public and
private, as we'll as his ability as lawyer.
MIR. ELLIOTT spoke ia behalf OF Mr.. Nee
son.
Mr., MARSHALL advocated the election OF
Mr.. Christian, and spoke OF the singular
unanimity with which the bar Of Richmond
desired Mr. Christians election, and OF his
preeminent fitness for the Office.
General JOHNSON spoke briefly in favor OF
Mr.. Christian and the unanimity with which
the people of Richmond desired Mr.. Chris
tian's election.
The vote in the Senate resulted as fol-
lows:
For Mr Christtan.-Messrs. Belts. Bland, Brooke,
Chiles, Daniel, Dickenson Gayle, GGode, Srlm,l'
Grimey Hairston Hurt Of aaax MTr' .sssv SI asS
MoIlton, Mum, Phlegar, Qnesehberry; Sherrard,
Sinclair, Tanner, Walston, Ward. and Workman
4 fsr Mr.. Neeson.-Messrs. Bliss Elliott, Fulker-
son, Nor Paul, Powell, s'emp, spiler' Stevens
i and Wood-1O.
i Whole number of votes cast lin the two
,Ihouses), 143; necessary to choice, 70; OF
which number Mr.. Christian received 80,
and Mr.. Neeson 81.
!. Mr.. Christian was declared duly elected.
IN THE HOUSE.
For this position Mr.. Crutchfed, of Rich
Imond, nominated Mr.. George l.. Christian
q man of spotless integrity; possessing SUI
good LAWYER, he understood; but, not being
q lawyer himself, Mr.. Crutchfeld didn't pre-
tend to estimate legal attainments. Mr..
Crutchfield spoke of Mr.. Christians war
record, and at some length referred to bis
high qualifications for this Office. He stated
that he was endorsed by people generally
and by about ninety members OF the Rich
mond bar.
Mr.. Crutchfeld sent up to be read by the
: clerk the petition OF the members OF the
!, Richmond bar in favor of Mr.. Christian.
At the conclusion Of the reading
Mr.. Lady addressed the Speaker, and
said: "Did understand that paper to be
the memorial OF the Richmond Chamber OF
Commerce? [Laughter.l
The Speaker (Mr. Bohannon): "No sir /;
: IFS the petition Of the Richmond bar"
Mr.. Dance spoke with earnestness and
!. fine effect in support Of Mr.. Christian
mentioning in eloquent terms his splendid
, war record, excellent business habits,
decision OF character, and legal attain
ments Mr.. Dance thought that Mr. Chris.
tian possessed peculiar qualifications for
the position, and believed, if elected, he
would make firm, impartial, and able
Iiudge.
MIR. Coghillo of Amherst nominated his old
friend and legislative associate, Mr.. Neeson,
|; and declared him the peer OF any man in the
State as lawyer. When Mr. Coghlll said
that Mr.. Neeson didn't need recommends
tions, that he was known to all the members
by reputation, there was considerable ap-
plause from the readiusters' side OF the
house.
Mr.. Haryie OF Amelia warmly seconded
; the nomination OF Mr. Neeson.
Mr.. PulIiam seconded the nomination OF
Mr.. Christian. He dwelt with decided force
upon the high moral qualities OF Mr. Chris"
, tian, his fearlessness, sense OF lmpartialify,
, and determination to carry out his conyic.
tienS.
Mr.. Pulliam urgently insisted that these
moral qualities were quite as essential as
high legal attainments. He, however,
claimed both for Mr.. Christian, and made
and strongly pressed the point that Mr..
, Christian was the choice of the entire Rich.
mond delegation, that he was highly re-
commended by the bar, and that wise Gus
tom had given to the voice OF delegation
lin such matters potential weight.
MIR. Niche regretted to see that Rich
mond influences were SO strongly agalnst
Mr.. Neeson. Bat he said that Mr.. Neeson
had State reputation, and the members OF
8 the House should not in this matter be con-
ttrolled by the Richmond delegation.
Mr.. Ashton, Of King George, intended
to vote for Mr.. Christion for TWO reasons:
First, because he had sacrificed leg in the
service OF the State, and that sacrifice un-
fitted him for the arduops duties OF life (;
secondly, because he believed that the SEN
n timent Of Richmond was almost unanimous
for Mr.. Christian, and in his opinion it did
4 not behooYe members from the country dis