The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-06-27
A soUTHERNER IN NEW YORK.
Roger Pryor and Iais Groat Success
Am Example for Young Lawyers.

New York Cores pondence 81. Louis Republican,
In passing, may add that General Pryor
has proved how well a southern man can
succeed in New York, fol. he is conceded
now one Of the most brilliant men at the
New York bar, with large and lucrative
practice on his bands. The warSwept away
every vestige of bis properly, and at the re-
turn OF peace he found himself with q
family OF seven children ana without Il
dollar. Then he was not n lawyer; for no
sooner had he put up bis shingle when he
was young man than he was taken up
by the Virglniuns and sent to Congress
and kept there. An advertisement OF
a furnished bouse was the singular fact
which led him TO New York. He had no
friends there on whom he could calculate
for ald, but this was no Obstacle, as it was
no, bis temperament to be dependent upon
any one. The editor OF the Freemdn'S
journal sought out the southerner, and on
learning that be was casting about for work
advised him to begin the practice OF law,
remembering the forensic ability displayed
by PRYOR in Congress. Ben. Wood. OF the
Doilu Ne,cs, put General Pryor's name down
on his list OF salaried editorial writers,
and told him to accept the salary as
long as it was useful and 10 write
when he felt like it. General Pryor bor-
rowed the law-bookS which he needed TO
begin the study requisite to enable HIM 20
do Justice to his clients. and he studied as
he fought-bravely. No man has burned
the midnight oil more, and from bclng no
LAWYER at all twelve years ago, he has grown
TO be most accomplished and eruulte
member OF the bar. In his great speech
in the trial OF Tilton against Bcecher, IN
resisting the attempt OF William NJ. Evarts,
OF Beccbers counsel, to prevent tue plalD-
tiff from testifyin", General Pryor hurled
law 1T the bead Of the present secre-
tary Of State, which the latter III all
OF his delving had not reached. and
Mr.. Evarts relaxed his friSidity to warm
" compliment General Pryor not only
upon tile brilliant presentation OF the law,
but upon bis extended acquaintance With
the authorities. General Pry or's speech won
the point for Tilton. Last week, before the
Court OF Appeals, General Pryor, in argu-
ing the case against the Brooklyn aldermen,
who were endeavoring to keep Congress
man Daniel O'Reilly member OF their
Board at the same time that lie was serV-
ing at Washington, made an argument
which the hdbnues Of the Court OF Ap-
peals pronounced as surprisingly powerful
and eloquent, and which elected letter
Ol DiaiSS lioi lhS ~Ac'oAHS. -
the State, who was q casual specta-
tor. 1t is the habit Of General Pryor
not 10 take case unless he believes
he can win it. He established the novel
pont in the courts OF this city some time
ago that it was cruelty within lhe meaning
OF the law for man to falsely accuse his
wife OF intidelity, and he made that the
basis OF Il suit for limited divorce, which
he won. Seven hours Il day he studies Ia"
as though he needed it all on the morrow,
and his researches are in the elemental
books for the principles, the ramlflcation
OF which he follows through all legal lore.
No man in New York has more bril-
| liant future, and no man baS so com.
| pletely carved cut bis own way and
made his own fortune. The politicians
have been after General Pryor as q good
man TO keep on hand to win with, but
studiouS LAWYER and New York politician
are not natural companions. General Pryor
has never taken even the first step toward
political prefcrment, and to-day rests under
the political disabilities imposed upon him
at the close OF the war, which he has never
sought 10 have removed, although he need.
ed but TO ask to be freed from them. The
South can be proud OF this representative
southerner in New York, and, indeed, his
old congressional district has several time:
sought TO secure his consent 10 reelection
| to Congress. -.'a-