The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-02-20
Resignation OF CommOnweaIth's At
fOrneY Wise.

| tOrney Wise.
! In the Hastings Court yesterday, after the
last criminal case had been given 10 the
jury, Mr.. Wise rose and said that. no eases
remaining on The docket, his duties there
we're closed, and it only remained for him
TO place his resignation in his Honol's
hands. While recognizing it as an honora.
bic distinction Of which any man might
have been proud to have been chosen as
The representative OF this district i'm the
Congress OF the United States, and while
rejoicing In the prospect OF release from
labors which have so severely taxed all the
energies OF his mind and body, he could
not without feeling OF regret think OF the
separation from old associations and cher
ished friends. He referred 10 the court and
It's officers in the kindest terms; spoke OF
the difficulties which had 10 be encountered
on every side. and claimed that he should
have been more than mortal IL at all times
he should have been able 10 correctly
adjust The scales Of justice. In the
language OF distinguished writer. a
prosecuting officer ought "tO possess
that element essential in the character Of a
truly great lawyer-integrity in the highest
degree-and ought also to possess the high
est qualifications OF learning and cXactitGde
respect to be fully up 10 the standard. but
he did claim that he had striven to perform
his duty without fear, favor, or affection. In
concluding he placed his written resignation
| in the hands OF the Court.
! Mr. +. {. Cabel said he thought that in
parting with such en- ofiiccras Mr. Wise had
been 1t was nothing more than proper that
some evidence be entered on the record OF
: an ~ Ia IL, -, T.
held, and he moved that Mr. Wise's remarks
be entered on the court record.
! Judge Christian said that would be done.
Judge Chrl, tian then said that his feelings
were such, and the presentation OF this re-
signaion just at this time 20 unexpected, as
! 10 rerder him unable to give cXpre>Si0
/ fully 10 his feelings on an occasion like the
present He thanked Mr.. Wise for the
manner i'm which he had referred TO the part
borne by him in the discharge Of The duties
Of his Office, and ,aid that be could conscierl-
tiOu,ly say tha, lie had done nothing at any
/ time but what he sincerely believed TO be his
whole duty; that in parting with Mr.. Wise
he did so with feelings oi the deepest re-
grc'. and felt that he had "lo>t his rieht
arm y; that the manner in which Mr.. " iSe
had discharged the delicate and responsible
had excited his highest admiration for his
requirements and abilities as Il LAWYER. and
his integrity and fidelity in The discharge Of
bis duty rs a man that be knew it would
! be next to impossible 10 supply the place
which his resignation made vacant and
that he would take occasion TO reply 10 his
letter Of resignation and place in more en-
during form the feelings which he now felt
] ~ laf - n o. ~ In
Mr.. Wise has held the position q Com
monwelllh'S Attorney for this city since
1870. with the exception Of two years, when
he declined a reelection; and 1t is not too
much to say that Richmond has never had
more faithful and efficient officer. As a
criminal Iawy er be stands at the head OF the
profession, and we confidently predict for
him brilliant and useful career aS The rep
resentaliye OF the Metropolitan district OF
Virginia in the United States Congress.
MARY ANDLESON.-lt is a pleasure to an
n0unce the coming OF a dramatic attraction
that we feel assured will IN ever" respect
>a'i-fy the most cXacting and refined tastes
Of our theatre-going public. Miss Mary
Anderson, Tie charming young actress who
has won for herself the almost unqualified
raise Of the critics throughout this cOun.
try, will appear at the Richmond Theati Q
| iforatbree-nights' engagement, commencing
with Monday the 2Sth instant. IngOmaT
will be given the first might, Evddne on
! Tuesday, and Love on wednesday. The
laSt-named play, Love, is powerfully
written drama, IN five parts, by Sheridan
Knowles, which. il our memCry serves Us
right, has not been played here fol
many years. Miss Ander>on'S peculiar
| force in such r6,eS will cothe them with an
| intensity OF interest that must be highIy
gratifying. Our people are too thoroughly
c0nyerSant with and apprecalIye OF the
exquisite pOItriaturcs she gives in the Other
! plays, and her acting generally, 10 require
more than a reminder OF them from us.
She j. probably the only living embodiment
we have OF that peculiar school Of mclO-
dramatic actresses in which the late AGc-
| laide Nelson was so brilliant star. She
has naturally combination OF those excel
lences, beauty, grace, and intelligence,
without which no amount OF ambition and
energy in her art could lead 10 greatness
and her finished p0rtraiture OF characters
and continued success shows cOncIusiyely
that these gifts OF nature are being perfect
ed by thoughtful study and unilageing dc.
termination. She will, we are sure, meet
with that cordial reception which 80 di>ttn-
gui,hcd an actress deserves.